What is Universal Design?
(Reprinted with permission from www.udeducation.org)

For more information and examples from Universal Design consultant Shirley Confino-Rehder: go to www.UnivDesign.com

Universal design is an approach to the design of all products and environments to be usable by everyone, to the greatest extent possible, regardless of age, ability, or situation. It serves people who are young or old, with excellent or limited abilities, in ideal or difficult circumstances. Universal design benefits everyone by accommodating limitations.

Universal design is not a synonym or a euphemism for accessibility standards. Universal design can be distinguished from meeting accessibility standards in the way that the accessible features have been integrated into the overall design. This integration is important because it results in better design and avoids the stigmatizing quality of accessible features that have been added on late in the design process or after it is complete, as a modification.

The Principles of Universal Design

The Principles of Universal Design and their guidelines were developed by a working group [1] of architects, product designers, engineers, and environmental design researchers as part of a project coordinated by the Center for Universal Design at North Carolina State University.

The seven Principles that describe characteristics that make designs universally usable are:

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 Education Online Web Site: © 2002-2004 (Center for Universal Design, N.C. State University; IDEA Center, University at Buffalo; Global Universal Design Educator's Network), All Rights Reserved. | Page Last Modified: 07/08/2004

6300 East Virginia Beach Blvd.                           Voice Mail    757.806.4298 
Norfolk, VA 23502

Thank you. Your Gift is Appreciated.