Overview

What is Universal Design?

Universal Design is an architectural concept that acknowledges many of the barriers experienced by people with disabilities can be addressed at the outset of design. Ronald Mace, a disabled architect and activist, coined the term and worked to promote the concept of a barrier-free design philosophy (Rocky Mountain ADA, 2020). Concepts of Universal Design have inspired physical modifications, such as curb cuts on sidewalks and automatic door openers, and sensory modifications like auto-generated captioning (Rocky Mountain ADA, 2020).

Seven Principles of Universal Design

Equitable Use
Flexibility in Use
Simple and Intuitive
Perceptible Information
Tolerance for Error
Low Physical Effort
Size and Space Approach for Use

The goal for Universal Design is to create a space that allows the most amount of people to use the space without accommodation or modification.

For more information, please read the Rocky Mountain ADA’s 2020 article The Evolution of Universal Design: A Win-Win Concept for All.

Common Universal Design Misconceptions

One of the biggest misconceptions about Universal Design is that UD principles only benefit people with disabilities. The reality is that Universal Design principles can increase access for everyone. By focusing on inclusion and access during the design phase we can include many variations of bodies and minds.

Another common misconception is that Universal Design will create access for all. In reality, no design can accommodate all bodies and minds. Sometimes people may have competing accessibility needs or need accommodation/modification despite our best efforts to design inclusively.

Access is an ongoing process of community building, and it is important to remain flexible when practicing principles of universal design.

For other myths about Universal Design see the below links:

Rosemarie Rossetti’s 10 Myths about Universal Design
Wayne State’s Universal Design for Learning – Common Misconceptions

Implementing Universal Design

In Higher Education there are a few ways that we can implement Universal Design. First, if you happen to be part the building planning process, you can consider how space can be more accessible for various individuals. We can also be sure to follow ADA Standards for Accessibility.

For most of UWL’s program implementation, we can focus on implementing Universal Design in our everyday work. We have provided a few webpage outlining some helpful tips and tricks in creating more accessible spaces. You can find information using the following links: