What is Universal Design?

What is Universal Design?
Universal design is a broad set of ideas applied to the built environment in order to
accomodate the widest range of users possible.
Principles
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Body Fit
Accommodating a broad range of body sizes and abilities. This ensures appropriate space for approach, reach and manipulation for
diverse abilities.
Comfort
Be usable within desirable limits of body function and physical effort
with minimum fatigue.
Awareness
Ensures critical information for use is easily perceivable regardless of
the user’s sensory abilities.
Understanding
The design is intuitive, clear and recognizable.
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Wellness
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Contribute to health promotion, avoiding disease and avoiding adverse consequences of accidental or unintended action.
Equality
Equal usability by persons with diverse abilities. Avoiding segregation
in use.
Preference
Accommodate individual preferences in use.
Resources: IDEA Center: Center for Inclusive Design and Environmental Access. http://idea.ap.buffalo.edu/
Institute for Human Centered Design. http://www.adaptenv.org/
10 Overlea Boulevard, Toronto, Ontario, M4H 1A4, 416-425-3463 x7286, www.AccessAbilityAdvantage.ca
A joint venture between March of Dimes Canada and Quadrangle Architects Limited