What is Universal Design?

You hear a lot about "Universal Design" but does anyone really know what it means? Is about wheelchair access? Barrier free living? Putting grab bars in bathrooms? Or levers where door knobs used to be? Somewhat, but not quite. Rather, Universal Design refers to architectural planning and design ideas making buildings, products and environments accessible to healthy persons as well as older persons and persons with disabilities.

Humble Origins of Universal Design

Universal Design concepts and methodology evolved and emerged over time from previous discussions and concepts, relevant to barrier-free living, accessibility movement, adaptive design, assistive technology, among others. What propelled universal design into the mainstream was increasing life expectancy, modern medicine and increasing survival rates for all kinds of illness, disease and conditions. Whereas adaptive technology and the accessibility movement led to homes and buildings becoming more accessible to an aging population, Universal Design takes it a step further and promotes access and use across the life span, from childhood and adolescence to adulthood and beyond.

Examples of Universal Design Today

There are lots of ways that Universal Design is incorporated into daily living and how your community is designed. Curb cuts, sidewalk ramps, color-contrasted signs, ground level entrances, low floor buses with ramps, wider interior doors, slip resistant floors, single hand operation controls and equipment, varied counter heights, among others, are just a few examples of Universal Design in action. The things you don't even think about in your home probably include features of Universal Design, like doorways, latches, handles and more.

The Principles of Universal Design

The Principles of Universal Design were conceived and developed by The Center for Universal Design at North Carolina State University. The Principles of Universal Design were developed by The Center for Universal Design in collaboration with a consortium of universal design researchers and practitioners from across the United States. Funding for the project was provided by the US Department of Education's National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research. These principles enhance our understanding of Universal Design and their applicability the world over. Among the Principles of Universal Design:

Equitable use
Flexibility in use
Simple and intuitive
Perceptible information
Tolerance for error
Low physical effort
Size and space for approach and use

Reference: The Center for Universal Design (1997). The Principles of Universal Design, Version 2.0. Raleigh, NC: North Carolina State University.

The Future of Universal Design in Homes Everywhere

Universal Design promises to make homes and buildings accessible for all across the life span. Incorporating Universal Design into kitchen and bathroom remodels is important as it facilitates the use of these high traffic areas by everyone in the family and more. Universal Design has gone into the home setting with a vengeance, and shows no sign of slowing down.

RESOURCES

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Resources
www.ada.gov

ADA Standards for Accessible Design
www.ada.gov/stdspdf.htm

Institute for Human Centered Design
www.adaptenv.org

HGTV Pro Design Ideas
www.hgtvpro.com/hpro/design_ideas