Modifying Factors: Disability

Disablement

Impairment (Organic Condition)

Function (Disability)

Participation (Handicap)

Affects developmental process

Basic human rights of access

Universal Design

What it 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.
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    What it is Not

  • The idea is to promote ergonomic design for all, not as it has been practiced in the past. The principles of ergonomics are extended with an ideological commitment toward inclusiveness of the target population.

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    Principles of Universal Design

    PRINCIPLE ONE: Equitable Use

    The design is useful and marketable to any group of users.

     

    Guidelines:

    1a. Provide the same means of use for all users: identical whenever possible; equivalent when not.

    1b. Avoid segregating or stigmatizing any users.

    1c. Provisions for privacy, security, and safety should be equally available to all users.

    PRINCIPLE TWO: Flexibility in Use
    The design accommodates a wide range of individual preferences and abilities.

    Guidelines:

    2a. Provide choice in methods of use.

    2b. Accommodate right- or left-handed access and use.

    2c. Facilitate the user's accuracy and precision.

    2d. Provide adaptability to the user's pace.

     

    PRINCIPLE THREE: Simple and Intuitive Use

    Use of the design is easy to understand, regardless of the user's experience, knowledge, language skills, or current concentration level.

    Guidelines:

    3a. Eliminate unnecessary complexity.

    3b. Be consistent with user expectations and intuition.

    3c. Accommodate a wide range of literacy and language skills.

    3d. Arrange information consistent with its importance.

    3e. Provide effective prompting for sequential actions.

    3f. Provide timely feedback during and after task completion.

     

    PRINCIPLE FOUR: Perceptible Information

    The design communicates necessary information effectively to the user, regardless of ambient conditions or the user's sensory abilities.

    Guidelines:

    4a. Use different modes (pictorial, verbal, tactile) for redundant presentation of essential information.

    4b. Provide adequate contrast between essential information and its surroundings.

    4c. Maximize "legibility" of essential information in all sensory modalities.

    4d. Differentiate elements in ways that can be described (i.e., make it easy to give instructions or directions).

    4e. Provide compatibility with a variety of techniques or devices used by people with sensory limitations.

     

    PRINCIPLE FIVE: Tolerance for Error

    The design minimizes hazards and the adverse consequences of accidental or unintended actions.

    Guidelines:

    5a. Arrange elements to minimize hazards and errors: most used elements, most accessible; hazardous elements eliminated, isolated, or shielded.

    5b. Provide warnings of hazards and errors.

    5c. Provide fail safe features.

    5d. Discourage unconscious action in tasks that require vigilance.

     

    PRINCIPLE SIX: Low Physical Effort

    The design can be used efficiently and comfortably and with a minimum of fatigue.

    Guidelines:

    6a. Allow user to maintain a neutral body position.

    6b. Use reasonable operating forces.

    6c. Minimize repetitive actions.

    6d. Minimize sustained physical effort.

     

    PRINCIPLE SEVEN: 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.

    Guidelines:

    7a. Provide a clear line of sight to important elements for any seated or standing user.

    7b. Make reach to all components comfortable for any seated or standing user.

    7c. Accommodate variations in hand and grip size.

    7d. Provide adequate space for the use of assistive devices or personal assistance.

     

    Web sites for further research:

    IDEA Center at UB

    Center on Universal Design

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