Universal Design Products and Environments for All Jocelyn Freilinger MLA Associate ASLA

Demographics: Disability & Aging at least 36 million Americans have permanent disabilities. 46% of those over 65 years of age have limited or severe disabilities. 37 million people have arthritic conditions that are disabling. In 2005, 36.8 million seniors represented 12.4% of the population. By 2030, that number will be about 71.5 million, or 20% of the population.

What is Universal Design? Universal design is 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. –Ron Mace

Design of Products and Environments occurs in many different Design Disciplines, including: Industrial Design (products) Graphic Design/Graphic User Interface Interior Design Exhibit Design Architecture Landscape Architecture

5 Design Bias via Physical and Sensory Experiences Ching, Frank. Architectural Graphics. New York: Van Nostrand Reinhold Company, 1975.

Universal Design is different from ADA Accessibility Guidelines: Not about legally mandated guidelines ADA Focuses on physical access and safety ADA is based on “ standard ” anthropometrics

Designed for easy, inexpensive production Costs about $1 Designed for comfortable grip even when wet Costs about $8 We Need a Paradigm Shift !

8 Related Concepts Barrier-Free Human-centered Design Lifespan Design Visitability

The Principles of Universal Design* *V. 2.0 Compiled by advocates of universal design, 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 evaluate existing designs guide the design process educate both designers and consumers about the characteristics of more usable products and environments. There are seven principles which may be used to:

1.Equitable Use a. Provide the same means of use for all users; identical whenever possible; equivalent when not. b. Avoid segregating or stigmatizing any users. c. Make provisions for privacy, security, and safety equally available to all users. d. Make the design appealing to all users. The design is useful and marketable to people with diverse abilities.

2.Flexibility in Use a. Provide choice in methods of use. b. Accommodate right- or left- handed access and use. c. Facilitate the user ’ s accuracy and precision. d. Provide adaptability The design accommodates a wide range of individual preferences and abilities.

3.Simple and Intuitive Use a. Eliminate unnecessary complexity. b. Be consistent with user expectations and intuition. c. Accommodate a wide range of literacy and language skills. d. Arrange information consistent with its importance. e. Provide effective prompting and feedback during and after task completion Use of the design is easy to understand, regardless of the user’s experience, knowledge, language skills, or current concentration level.

4.Perceptible Information a. Use different modes (pictorial, verbal, tactile) for redundant presentation of essential information. b. Maximize “ legibility ” of essential information. c. Differentiate elements in ways that can be described (i.e., make it easy to give instructions or directions). d. Provide compatibility with a variety of techniques or devices used by people with sensory limitations. The design communicates necessary information effectively to the user, regardless of ambient conditions or the user’s sensory abilities.

5.Tolerance for Error a. Arrange elements to minimize hazards and errors: most used elements, most accessible; hazardous elements eliminated, isolated, or shielded. b. Provide warnings of hazards and errors. c. Provide fail safe features. d. Discourage unconscious action in tasks that require vigilance. The design minimizes hazards and the adverse consequences of accidental or unintended actions.

6.Low Physical Effort a. Allow user to maintain a neutral body position. b. Use reasonable operating forces. c. Minimize repetitive actions. d. Minimize sustained physical effort. The design can be used efficiently and comfortably and with a minimum of fatigue.

7.Size and Space for Approach and Use a. Provide a clear line of sight to important elements for any seated or standing user. b. Make reach to all components comfortable for any seated or standing user. c. Accommodate variations in hand and grip size. d. Provide adequate space for the use of assistive devices or personal assistance. Appropriate size and space is provided for approach, reach, manipulation, and use regardless of user’s body size, posture, or mobility.

Discussion How can you apply the Principles of Universal Design in your field of interest? Can this approach successfully address situations where people might have different needs that are challenging to reconcile? How would you situate the ideas promoted by Universal Design within the discourse of disability advocacy?

References “Accessible Environments: Toward Universal Design” by Ronald L. Mace, Graeme J. Hardie, Jaine P. Place in Design Intervention: Toward a More Humane Architecture, Preiser, Vischer and White, eds. New York: Van Nostrand Reinhold, Adaptive Environments The Center for Universal Design (1997) The Principles of Universal Design, Version 2.0. Raleigh, NC: North Carolina State University The Center for Universal Design Seattle and King County Aging and Disability Services: Universal Design Handbook, Preiser and Ostroff, eds., New York: McGraw-Hill, 2001.