Universal Design (section 6)
What is Principle 6: Low Physical Effort
"The design can be used efficiently and comfortably and with a minimum of fatigue. Examples: Doors to a building open automatically for people with a wide variety of physical characteristics; Location of outlets and switches/controls is within easy reach.
What is Principle 4: Perceptible Information
"The design communicates necessary information effectively to the user, regardless of ambient conditions or the user's sensory abilities. Example: Wayfinding with colour and/or texture.
What is Principle 5: Tolerance for Error
"The design minimizes hazards and the adverse consequences of accidental or unintended actions. Example: Wider staircases, offset faucets on showers/tubs, and the use of contrasting colour to highlight hazards.
What are the Seven Principles of Universal Design
1: Equitable Use , 2: Flexibility in Use , 3: Simple and Intuitive Use, 4: Perceptible Information , 5: Tolerance for Error , 6: Low Physical Effort , 7: Size and Space for Approach and Use
By 2030, the number of active people with disabilities increases to
20%
AFF stands for
Above Finished Floor
Explain Accessible Design and Code Compliance
Accessible design only acknowledges regulatory requirements and does not necessarily address the real needs of people with disabilities as a whole. Sometimes referred to as 'Code minimum', it is an approach that meets requirements but doesn't consider design changes outside Code requirements.
What are the Guidelines of Low Physical Effort?
Allow user to maintain a neutral body position. Use reasonable operating forces. Minimize repetitive actions. Minimize sustained physical effort.
What is Principle 7: Size and Space for Approach and Use
Appropriate size and space is provided for approach, reach, manipulation, and use regardless of user's body size, posture, or mobility. Examples: Pull space at doors; accessible sinks; work area has adequate workspace for people who are left- or right-handed and for those who need to work from a standing or seated position.
Wht are the 8 goals of Universal Design
Body fit Comfort Awareness Understanding Wellness Social Integration Personalization Contextual appropriateness
What is the CEUD
Centre for Excellence in Universal Design, a non-profit organization which was established by the Irish National Disability Authority (NDA).
What is Universal Design Goal: Body fit
Design accommodates people with a wide range of body sizes, statures and abilities or function.
What is Universal Design Goal: Comfort
Design ensures comfort for people with a wide range of body sizes, statures and abilities or function.
What is Universal Design Goal: Awareness
Design ensures critical information is easily perceived.
What is Universal Design Goal: Personalization
Design offers opportunities for choice and expression of individual preferences.
What is Universal Design Goal: Social Integration
Design treats all groups of people with dignity and respect.
Where a level change exists, alternatives for navigating the terrain are provided. Choices would include stairs, ramp, elevator, moving sidewalk, etc., as appropriate. is an example of
Flexibility in use
What is the GUDC
Global Universal Design Commission is a USbased, globally-focused not-for-profit organization The GUDC is in the process of developing Universal Design standards for building design, product design, facilities management and business practices.
What is the IDeA
Inclusive Design and Environmental Access at the University of Buffalo
How does Universal Design encourages intergenerational living and age diversity.
Inclusive environments build and maintain communities. It creates a built environment that promotes a sense of belonging and self-worth - both of which are critical to the well-being of individual and cohesive communities. When one group of society is separated from the others, it creates division. Inclusive design binds societies together.
What is Universal Design Goal: Understanding
Methods of operation and use are intuitive, clear and unambiguous.
A service entrance at the side or rear of a building is used as the accessible entrance, which segregates building users with disabilities. is an example of
Not Equitable use
Heavy manual door with knob is an example of
Not Low Physical Effort
Elevator flooring is dark and may appear as a bottomless pit to individuals with vision loss. is an example of
Not Perceptible information
Narrow pathways is an example of
Not Size and Space for Apprach and Use
Exhibit cases, garbage cans, etc. protrude into main path of travel are not cane-detectable. is an example of
Not Tolerance for error
Designated parking is available, but only side entry vehicles are accommodated. is an example of
Not simple and intuitive Use
The main entrance is hidden from view and no clear signage is provided. is an example of
Not simple and intuitive Use
Directory signage for a building is provided in multiple formats: raised lettering, Braille, colourcoding for different areas). is an example of
Perceptible information
What are the Guidelines of Size and Space for Approach and Use?
Provide a clear line of sight to important elements for any seated or standing user. Make reach to all components comfortable for any seated or standing user. Accommodate variations in hand and grip size. Provide adequate space for the use of assistive devices or personal assistance
What is Principle 2: Flexibility in Use
The design accommodates a wide range of individual preferences and abilities. Example: Levered Handsets and pull style cupboard/closet hardware.
What is Universal Design Goal: Wellness
The design contributes to health promotion, avoidance of disease and protection from hazards.
What is Principle 3: Simple and Intuitive Use
The design is easy to understand and use, regardless of the user's experience, knowledge, language skills, or current concentration level. Example: Universal signage in predicable locations.
What is Principle 1: Equitable Use
The design is useful and marketable to people with diverse abilities. Example: The elimination of stairs at the front door to make the entrance functional for all users.
What is Universal Design Goal: Contextual appropriateness
The design respects and reinforces cultural values and the social and environmental context.
What is Assistive Technology
These are add-on and/or support products that could make a formerly inaccessible environment more accessible. Such add-ons may include assistive hearing devices, overhead lifts, and mobility equipment.
What is 'aging in place'?
This is simply the application of Universal Design to maintain the user's quality-of-life as their physical needs change. Planning for homes and community facilities need to anticipate these physical changes such that they can be ready to accommodate the needs seamlessly.
Outward-opening doors are protected with a door recess or guardrail is an example of
Tolerance for error
Explain Universal design as compared to code complaince
Universal Design approach is holistic - it encompasses all users of a facility, while Code focuses on specifications related to individual disabilities. For example, Universal Design would provide dimensions or criteria that accommodate a goal (e.g. the width of the door should allow a person in a motorized wheelchair to pass through it with sufficient clearance).
How can you design stairs to mitigate falling hazards?
no open risers or overhang nosings, edges should be provided with high contrast and non-slip tread edges, handrails should be high contrast and on both sides of the stairs, etc.)
What is Universal Design (UD)?
the design of products and environments to be usable by all people, to the greatest extent possible, without the need for adaption of specialized design." (Ronald Mace, 1985)
Besides people with disabilities, who else benefits from Universal Design?
• Aging population. • Active people (by creating cities that enable interaction and full participation). • Short people, little people. • Tall people. • Frail people. • Pregnant women. • Parents with children in strollers. • Children with aging parents. • Children. • Left-handed people. • People who don't speak the local language. • Visitors to unfamiliar cities. • People with all kinds of disabilities and service animals.
What are the Guidelines of Tolerance for Error?
• Arrange elements to minimize hazards and errors: most used elements, most accessible; hazardous elements eliminated, isolated, or shielded. • Provide warnings of hazards and errors. • Provide fail safe features. • Discourage unconscious action in tasks that require vigilance.
What are the Guidelines of Simple and Intuitive Use?
• Eliminate unnecessary complexity. • Be consistent with user expectations and intuition. • Accommodate a wide range of literacy and language skills. • Arrange information consistent with its importance. • Provide effective prompting and feedback during and after task completion.
What are the business advantages of Universal Design
• Investments in social capital. The goodwill to the community creates a social branding opportunity. • Lowers renovation costs later. • Reduces operating costs. Helps to attract and retain a workforce, lowers accident rates and lowers healthcare costs. • Increases productivity. Reduces the burden on customer service staff, facilities services, and it reduces errors
What are the Guidelines of Flexibility in Use?
• Provide choice in methods of use. • Accommodate right or left-handed access and use. • Facilitate the user's accuracy and precision. • Provide adaptability to the user's pace.
What are the guidelines of Equitable use?
• Provide the same means of use for all users: identical whenever possible; equivalent when not. • Avoid segregating or stigmatizing any users. • Provisions for privacy, security, and safety should be equally available to all users. • Make the design appealing to all users.
Name 3 solutions for 'aging in place'
• Raising electrical outlets and data ports by approximately 150mm to 450mm above the finished floor [AFF] to facilitate reaching. • Lowering switches and room controls by approximately 150mm to a centerline height of 1066mm AFF to facilitate reaching. • Eliminating or minimizing all door and/or shower thresholds to reduce tripping hazards • Designing stairs to mitigate falling hazards • Raising dishwashers by approximately 150mm to make loading/unloading easier. • Offsetting tub/shower controls approximately 150mm toward the user to reduce reach requirements. • Equipping all sinks with levered faucets. • Installing grab bars in showers/tubs. • Providing walk-in tubs. • Replacing door, cupboard and drawer hardware with handles that can be 'hooked' with the fingers rather than 'grasped' to open. • Generally minimizing reach requirements and falling/tripping hazards for users.
What are the Guidelines of Perceptible Information?
• Use different modes (pictorial, verbal, tactile) for redundant presentation of essential information. • Provide adequate contrast between essential information and its surroundings. • Maximize ""legibility"" of essential information. • Differentiate elements in ways that can be described (e.g. make it easy to give instructions or directions). • Provide compatibility with a variety of techniques or devices used by people with sensory limitations.
