Universal Design: The Seven Principles

The Seven Principles & Seven Goals of Universal Design By Scott Rains The Rolling Rains Report

Introduction The principles of Universal Design were created during the Civil Rights era in the United States and systematized in 1997. They represent the distillation of our communal demands for social inclusion. Subsequent legislation, regulation, and guidance are not faithful and complete institutionalization of UD.

Introduction Subsequent legislation, regulation, and guidance are compromise documents which by their nature must clarify the specifications of a final physical product. Universal Design is rather a design approach. It is not a heuristic list of predefined solutions, measurements, or products.

Introduction The Seven Principles and Seven Goals of Universal Design serve to orient the entire project – its conceptualization, scope, and specifications – around the observation that human beings occur with a range of abilities. These ability sets also change over time in individuals.

The Principles of Universal Design 1. Equitable Use: The design does not disadvantage or stigmatize any group of users.

The Principles of Universal Design 2. Flexibility in Use: The design accommodates a wide range of individual preferences and abilities.

The Principles of Universal Design 3. Simple, Intuitive Use: Use of the design is easy to understand, regardless of the user's experience, knowledge, language skills, or current concentration level.

The Principles of Universal Design 4. Perceptible Information: The design communicates necessary information effectively to the user, regardless of ambient conditions or the user's sensory abilities.

The Principles of Universal Design 5. Tolerance for Error: The design minimizes hazards and the adverse consequences of accidental or unintended actions.

The Principles of Universal Design 6. Low Physical Effort: The design can be used efficiently and comfortably, and with a minimum of fatigue.

The Principles of Universal Design 7. Size and Space for Approach & Use: Appropriate size and space is provided for approach, reach, manipulation, and use, regardless of the user's body size, posture, or mobility.

The Principles of Universal Design Compiled by advocates of Universal Design in 1997. Participants are listed in alphabetical order: Bettye Rose Connell, Mike Jones, Ron Mace, Jim Mueller, Abir Mullick, Elaine Ostroff, Jon Sanford, Ed Steinfeld, Molly Story, Gregg Vanderheiden. The Principles are copyrighted to the Center for Universal Design, School of Design, State University of North Carolina at Raleigh [USA].

The Seven Goals of Universal Design Ed Steinfeld of The IDEA center at SUNY-Buffalo has rearticulated Universal Design as a set of Seven Goals: A compliment to the Seven Principles Emphasis that Universal Design is not a particular building code or checklist of products or design solutions

The Goals of Universal Design Body fit - accommodating a wide a range of body sizes and abilities

The Goals of Universal Design Comfort - keeping demands within desirable limits of body function and perception

The Goals of Universal Design Awareness - insuring that critical information for use is easily perceived

The Goals of Universal Design Understanding - making methods of operation and use intuitive, clear and unambiguous

The Goals of Universal Design Social integration - treating all groups with dignity and respect

The Goals of Universal Design Personalization - incorporating opportunities for choice and the expression of individual preferences

The Goals of Universal Design Appropriateness - respecting and reinforcing cultural values and the social and environmental context of any design project.

The Goals of Universal Design Ed Steinfeld: “ The practice of universal design is evolutionary in character. There are no absolute levels of performance since each project context determines what can be achieved. It is a continuous improvement process and can be implemented regardless of constraints or the level of technology available.”

Rosanne Ramos on Design Designer Rosanne Ramos of Inclusion by Design speaks of Inclusive Design. She emphasizes the individual and customized design providing: Grounding for abstract principles Counterbalance to a mentality of minimal compliance to accessibility regulations

Rosanne Ramos of Inclusion by Design “ While we are aware that one size does not fit all, we are equally aware that without designing for the individual we will miss opportunities and innovations that bring us closer to a universal design solution. Inclusive Design is design for all by designing for every individual... “

Rosanne Ramos of Inclusion by Design “ The practice of universal design means understanding the experience and needs of every individual within a community and then designing to meet not the largest number of those needs, but the full spectrum of need. “

Rosanne Ramos of Inclusion by Design “ Inclusive design is design for all by designing for every individual.”

Resources The Center for Universal Design, North Carolina State University http://www.design.ncsu.edu:8120/cud The Institute for Human-Centered Design http://www.adaptiveenvironments.org/index.php?option=Content&Itemid=25 The IDEA Center http://www.ap.buffalo.edu/idea/

Resources Inclusion by Design http://inclusionbydesign.us/ Homes for Easy Living: Universal Design Innovations http://www.homesforeasyliving.com AARP Guide to Understanding Universal Design http://www.aarp.org/families/home_design

Resources The Rolling Rains Report on Travel, Disability, and Universal Design http://www.RollingRains.com Further reading on Universal Design in Tourism: http://claimid.com/srains

Universal Design: The Seven Principles

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Universal Design: The Seven Principles