Universal Design - Physical World Flashcards
When, where, and by whom was the concept of Universal Design first introduced?
In 1997, Ronald Mace and a group of engineers at North Carolina (NC) State, called into question approaches to designing building, products and environments.
Name the seven principles of Universal Design
Principle 1: Equitable Use Principle 2: Flexibility in Use Principle 3: Simple and Intuitive Use Principle 4: Perceptible Information Principle 5: Tolerance for Error Principle 6: Low Physical Effort Principle 7: Size and Space for Approach and Use
Explain Principle 1: Equitable Use
The design of the product or environment should be useful to everyone, regardless of ability
If identical uses are not provided, equivalent options should be provided
Explain Principle 2: Flexibility in Use
The design of a product or environment should give people a variety of options to use its features.
The environment or product should be adaptable to an individual’s preferences and abilities
Explain Principle 3: Simple and Intuitive Use
The purpose of the product or environment’s features should be easy to understand
A person’s background, language, or experience should not hinder his or her understanding of how to use the product or navigate the environment
Explain Principle 4: Perceptible Information
Information about the product or environment’s design should be communicated effectively and perceivable by everyone.
A person’s sensory abilities should not hinder him or her from receiving information.
Information should be presented in different formats to increase effective communication to individuals with diverse abilities
Explain Principle 5: Tolerance for Error
The design of the product or environment should reduce the chances of accidents or hazards from occurring.
The design should also anticipate any unintentional actions that may occur during use
Explain Principle 6: Low Physical Effort
The design of the product or environment should require little to no physical effort to use.
A person should be able to use the product or navigate the environment without feeling fatigued during or after use.
Explain Principle 7: Size and Space for Approach and Use
Sufficient space should be provided in the design so that it allows anyone to use the design features regardless of physical build or physical abilities
List how sidewalks can be designed to meet each of the following principles of Universal Design:
Principle 1: Equitable Use
Principle 4: Perceptible Information
Principle 6: Low physical effort
Principle 7: Size and space for approach and use
Principle 1: Equitable - sidewalks are wheelchair accessible with curb cuts
Principle 4: Perceptible - Detectable warnings built into curb cuts that warn people who are blind that they are approaching a street
Principle 6: Low physical effort - sidewalks are smooth with no bumps or cracks
Principle 7: Width of sidewalks allows for use of AT (e.g. rollators, wheelchairs
List how building entrances can be designed to meet:
Principle 1: Equitable Use
- Same entrance to the building for all, instead of one entrance with stairs and a separate one for wheelchair users
- Ramps that are built into the stairs as opposed to being separate from the stairs
List how multi-level buildings can be designed to meet:
Principle 1: Equitable Use
Principle 4: Perceptible Information
Principle 1: Elevators that can be used by everyone
Principle 4: Tactile/Braille buttons on elevators, visual and audio feedback that announces each floor level
List ways that doorways can be designed to meet:
Principle 4: Perceptible Information
Principle 6: Low Physical Effort
Principle 4: Doorbells with both lights and audio cues, or can be programmed to send vibrating signals to a device
Principle 6: Doors that have lever handles instead of knobs, or electronic doors with sensors and flat entryways
List ways that restrooms can be designed to meet the following principles:
Principle 4: Perceptible Information
Principle 6: Low Physical Effort
Principle 7: Size and Space for Approach and Use
Principle 4: Bathroom labels that are both visual and tactile
Principle 6: Bathrooms built with hands-free faucets and automatic flushing
Principle 7: Bathrooms that offer enough space for maneuverability of body and AT
List ways that drinking fountains can be designed to meet the following principles:
Principle 2: Flexibility in Use
Principle 6: Low Physical Effort
Principle 2: Place them at different heights to accommodate different users
Principle 6: Drinking fountains with auto-detecting features
