Universal Design Principles

Universal Design Principles

There are several principles that form the foundation of universal design, which is defined as “an alternate path to accessible products or services, […] that have features that enable a person with a disability to use the product or service, whether by itself or in conjunction with assistive technology” (Tobias, 2003).Thus the main purpose of universal design is to make products usable to the greatest number of people, without the use of specially designed equipment (Connell, Jones, Mace, et al, 1997). The seven design elements serve as guidelines for reaching this goal.

The first principle of universal design is to make sure that the product is usable by persons with disabilities. Equitable design means products should be created in a way equivalent to products used by persons without special needs and does not alienate the user with special needs in anyway. Not only should the design be appealing, but also meet safety and privacy needs of the user (Connell, Jones, Mace, et al, 1997). The second principle also focuses on the use of the product. Flexibility in the design should accommodate a range of physical abilities, e.g. right or left handedness, and usage options (Connell, Jones, Mace, et al, 1997). Likewise, the design should facilitate the varying intellectual and physical skills of the intended user. Prompting and information should be simply arranged to meet user expectations.

Along with simplicity, perception is also an important principle of universal design.

Ways of effectively communicating information to the use can be accomplished by different methods (verbal, images, tactile). Directions should be legible by having contrast between essential information and nonessential infor...

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...s, 97(10), 592-601. Retrieved November 14, 2003 from Ebsco database.

This journal article was used to define universal design in the most general context.

This definition was used to expand into other elements of universal design.

UCI Disabilities Services Center. (2003, February 2). Universal design and web accessibility. Retrieved September 17, 2003, fromhttp://www.disability.uci.edu/other_links/web_accessibility.htm

The information from this site will be used in describing the web accessibility principles that websites must have in order to be compliant with Federal Rehabilitation Act. These principles include guidelines for images and page organization.

2003). “Accessibility (for disabled).” Retrieved November 14, 2003 from Ebsco database.

This entry provided a formal definition for accessibility, which was then applied to making the web accessible.