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A Way Forward
Published in Traci Rose Rider, Margaret van Bakergem, Building for Well-Being, 2021
Traci Rose Rider, Margaret van Bakergem
Universal design is a well-established pathway for creating both aesthetically pleasing and accessible environments for everyone. The seven Principles of Universal Design (Figure 12.1), developed in 1997 by an interdisciplinary working group of architects, product designers, engineers and environmental design researchers at North Carolina State University, outline strategies for creating equitable, usable products and spaces that ultimately amount to smartly designed environments for all building users.7 Examples of universal design strategies include ramps and lifts for people with mobility challenges, auditory wayfinding cues for those with low or no vision, and adjustable task lighting at workstations. Today, universal design remains a leader among a handful of approaches encouraging ongoing innovation for disability inclusion across products, spaces, and environments to successfully support any health equity initiative.
Practical Universal Design Guidelines
Published in Waldemar Karwowski, Anna Szopa, Marcelo M. Soares, Handbook of Standards and Guidelines in Human Factors and Ergonomics, 2021
Kazuhiko Yamazaki, Toshiki Yamaoka, Akira Okada, Sohsuke Saitoh, Masatoshi Nomura, Koji Yanagida, Sadao Horino
Universal design means the design of products and environments usable by all people to the greatest extent possible, without the need for adaptation or specialized designs. “All people” include an entire range of different ages, cultures, locations, and disabilities—but the universal design does not mean that all people can use all kinds of products or services. Some severely disabled individuals will still need specific modifications. The goal of universal design is not only to eliminate physical barriers but also to remove mental barriers considering economic factors such as availability, manufacturing costs, and price. In reality, it is not easy to adopt a universal design approach in product design because universal design means covering a wide range of users. It is very difficult for product designers to find answers to questions such as, “what should be the design requirements?” and “how should ideas and designs be evaluated?” The situation becomes overly complicated, making it hard for product designers to adopt universal design principles.
Classroom Design For Children On The Autistic Spectrum
Published in Manuel Couceiro da Costa, Filipa Roseta, Joana Pestana Lages, Susana Couceiro da Costa, Architectural Research Addressing Societal Challenges, 2017
Built environments discriminate against people with disabilities if they include barriers that limit access to services and resources intended for all building occupants and visitors. “Barrier free design,” an early paradigm for designing to eliminate discrimination, focused on addressing physical disabilities. Universal design, sometimes called “inclusive design” or “design for all,” is a newer paradigm. It recognizes that all people share the experience of barriers (Steinfeld and Maisel, 2012). Improving accessibility, usability, and social participation opportunities through design is a benefit to all. Universal design emphasizes giving attention to a broader range of disabilities and also recognizing that people are limited in the use of the built environment for other reasons as well, e.g. low income, intolerance and stigma. In essence, universal design provides a conceptual framework for practicing social justice through design.
Assessment of Perceived Discomfort in Older Women with and without Osteoarthritis and Young Women When Reaching for Items on Different Shelf Heights
Published in Journal of Aging and Environment, 2022
Chitra Singh, Cosette M. Joyner Martinez, Aditya Jayadas
Generally, retail stores have catered to the younger population. Researchers have indicated that if store design is suitable for the young, it might not suit older people, but vice-versa could be true (Moore & Conn 1985; Underhill 2009). The design of the store environment should be flexible enough to be used by people with and without limitations (Czaja et al., 2009). Universal design is an extension of user-centered design (UCD) that can help understand the shelf height range that would be comfortable for older adults to reach. Universal design advocates for thoughtfully designed physical environments to meet the needs of individuals of all ages with varying capabilities (Czaja et al., 2009). According to the universal design principle of accessibility, physical environments should be accessible for all expected body sizes, posture, and mobility ranges. The universal design principle of low effort states that the product or environment should be usable comfortably with minimal strain or fatigue (Farage et al., 2012). Universal design provides accessibility without stigmatization associated with any specially adapted design for a vulnerable group (Carr et al., 2013). When exploring a store environment in terms of universal design and how helpful an environment can be for individuals, it is vital to consider both “utility” and “usability.” Utility implies that something is functional, providing what is needed, and usability refers to how well individuals can access that functionality (Czaja et al., 2009). This concept can be related to grocery store shelf heights. The shelves have a utility in providing needed products but often lack usability for the older adult population because of inaccessible shelf heights.
Understanding How Older Adults Negotiate Environmental Hazards in Their Home
Published in Journal of Aging and Environment, 2022
The assimilative coping strategy has a positive effect on reducing fall risks as well as psychological health in that older adults actively engage in home modification to fit their needs and optimize their developmental potential. Also, this active participation increases a sense of control for older adults, playing a significant role in feeling healthier and younger. Thus, it is vital to consider how residential environments should be designed to support this coping strategy. For example, one of the Universal Design principles—the generation of customizable designs to accommodate the various needs of older adults–plays an important role in minimizing older adult’s falling risks.
The Smarthubs integration ladder: a conceptual model for the categorisation of shared mobility hubs
Published in Transport Reviews, 2023
Karst Geurs, Anna Grigolon, Karla Münzel, Konstantinos Gkiotsalitis, David Duran-Rodas, Benjamin Büttner, Christoph Kirchberger, Jesse Pappers, Lluis Martinez Ramirez, Antonia Graf, Julia Hansel, Roxani Gkrava, Roman Klementschitz
To evaluate whether the design of a hub is inclusive, we use the principles of universal design. Universal design (Story, 2001) goes one step further than complying with current and upcoming legal requirements, assuming that access should be provided to everyone without requiring specific groups to use specially adapted infrastructure or services (e.g. bus stops accessible for wheelchair users without a need for assistance). Universal design refers to the creation of products, environments, or interfaces that can be easily used by the greatest possible number of people with a diverse range of needs without adaptation.