a guide to
UNIVERSAL DESIGN
UNIVE RSAL DES IGN
E
introduction This book was designed for Disability, Quality of Life, and Community Responsibility taught by Dr. Kathy Kniepmann in Spring of 2021. This short book describes what universal design is, the history behind it, and why it is so important. The idea behind the design of this book was to design it to be accessible. Research was done to see what the most accessible fonts are, and what fonts are ADA compliant. After research was done, two fonts were chosen: Helvetica and Rockwell, two very accessible fonts. This book is meant to teach people about how to design and create with universal design in mind — to make designs that are accessible to anyone.
Environments should let everyone participate.
What is Universal Design? Design for all Universal accessibililty Trans-generational design Accessibility Barrier-free design Lifespan design Usability Inclusive design
RON MACE
created term “Universal Design”
“Universal design seeks to encourage attractive, marketable products that are more usable by everyone. It is design for the built environment and consumer products for a very broad definition of user.”
WHAT IS UNIVERSAL DESIGN? Increases the accessibility and usability of the built environment. Enhances opportunities for participation and social integration in everyday life. When well implemented, universal design is virtually invisible, safe, physically and emotionally accessible. The design of products and environments to be usable by all people, to the greatest extent possible, without the need for adaptation or specialized design. - Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists
What is the need for Universal Design?
1. People are living longer 2. More people are living with disabilities 3. Everyone deserves to participate
If anyone can’t use it, it isn’t designed right.
UNIVERSAL DESIGN Emphasis on the critical goal of
meeting needs of as many users as possible = usable by ALL people
Unnoticeable - eliminates stigma,
embarrassment, feelings of being different
Cost effective! Benefits everyone!
ACCESSIBLE DESIGN Can be used to add features to a building
Needs of people with disabilities are specifically considered
May not support full participation Doesn’t address subtleties of sensory and cognitive differences
Doesn’t address changes experi-
enced by the human body over time
Architects provide broad, overall design plan and delivery of the built physical environment Occupational therapists provide a detailed, individualized approach; integrated view of the person, task and environment, along with the many diagnoses which impact function
UNIVERSAL DESIGN PRINCIPLES
principles 1. Equitable use
2. Flexibility in use
3. Simple and intuitive use 4. Perceptible information 5. Tolerance for error
6. Low physical effort
7. Size and space for approach and use
Universal Design principles are used to: Assess existing environments; Guide the design of new environments; Educate stakeholders about good practice
EQUITAB
The design is useful and marketable to people with diverse abilities ‘Identical whenever possible; equivalent when not’ Avoids segregating or stigmatizing Privacy, security, and safety equally available to all Appealing design
BLE USE
FLEXIBIL
The design accommodates a wide range of individual preferences and abilities Provides choice in methods of use Accommodates right- or left-handed access and use Facilitates the user’s accuracy and precision Adaptability to the user’s pace
LITY
3
SIMPLE & INTUITIV
Use of the design is easy to understand, regardless of the user’s experience, knowledge, language skills, or current concentration level Eliminates complexity and is intuitive Accommodates a wide range of literacy and language skills Prompting and feedback during and after task completion
& VE USE
4
PERCEP INFORMA
The design communicates necessary information effectively to the user, regardless of ambient conditions or the user’s sensory abilities Various presentations of information Contrast between essential and background info Maximizes “legibility” of essential info Differentiates elements in ways that can be described Compatible with devices used by people with sensory limitations
PTIBLE ATION
5
TOLERA FOR ERR
The design minimizes hazards and the adverse consequences of accidental or unintended actions Minimizes hazards and errors Most used elements = most accessible Hazardous elements eliminated, isolated, or shielded Warnings of hazards and errors Fail-safe features Discourages unconscious action in tasks that require vigilance
NCE ROR
6
LOW PHY EFFORT
The design can be used efficiently and comfortably and with a minimum of fatigue Allows neutral body position Reasonable operating forces Minimizes: repetitive actions, sustained physical effort
YSICAL
SIZE/SPA APPROAC
Appropriate size and space is provided for approach, reach, manipulation, and use regardless of user’s body size, posture, or mobility Clear line of sight to important elements Comfortable reach to all components Accommodates variations in hand/grip Space for AT or personal assistance
ACE FOR CH & USE
GOALS OF UNIVERSAL DESIGN While the principles are useful as an introduction to the topic, they have been criticized for their abstraction and lack of a concrete strategy for operationalizing them in the context of real-world product design teams. Adapted definition: “a process that enables and empowers a diverse population by improving human performance, health and wellness, and social participation” - Steinfelld and Maisel, 2012
goals 1. Body fit: accommodating a wide range of body sizes and abilities 2. Comfort: keeping demands within desirable limits of body function 3. Awareness: ensuring that critical information for use is easily perceived 4. Understanding: making methods of operation and use intuitive, clear, unambiguous 5. Wellness: contributing to health promotion, avoidance of disease, and prevention of injury 6. Social integration: treating all groups with dignity and respect 7. Personalization: incorporating opportunities for choice and the expression of individual preferences 8. Cultural appropriateness: respecting and reinforcing cultural values and the social and environmental context of any design project
Designed for Disabililty, Quality of Life, and Community Responsibility with Kathy Kniepmann in Spring 2021 by Jade Leslie