Assistive Technology ISSN: 1040-0435 (Print) 1949-3614 (Online) Journal homepage: http://www.tandfonline.com/loi/uaty20 Maximizing Usability: The Principles of Universal Design Molly Follette Story M.S. To cite this article: Molly Follette Story M.S. (1998) Maximizing Usability: The Principles of Universal Design, Assistive Technology, 10:1, 4-12, DOI: 10.1080/10400435.1998.10131955 To link to this article: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/10400435.1998.10131955 Published online: 22 Oct 2010. Submit your article to this journal Article views: 2401 View related articles Citing articles: 61 View citing articles Full Terms & Conditions of access and use can be found at http://www.tandfonline.com/action/journalInformation?journalCode=uaty20 Download by: [University of Iowa Libraries] Date: 17 January 2017, At: 13:14 Asst Technol1998;1 0:4-12 APPLIED RESEARCH © 1998 RESNA Maximizing Usability: The Principles of Universal Design Molly Follette Story, M.S. Th e Center for Universal Design , School ofDesign , North Caroli na S tate Unive rsity, Raleigh , North Caroli na The Center for Universal Design at North Carolina TYPES OF ACCESSIBLE DESIGN State University has developed a set of seven Princi­ ples of Universal Design that may be used to guide the Accessible design can be defined as design that design process, to evaluate existing or new designs, meets prescribed code requirements for use by peo­ and to teach students and practitioners. This article ple with disabilities (Center for Accessible Hous­ presents preceding design guidelines and evaluation ing, 1991). Because it is often achieved by provid­ criteria, describes the process of developing the Prin­ ing separate design features for "special" user ciples, lists The Principles of Universal Design and groups, it can segregate people with disabilities provides examples of designs that satisfy each, and from the majority of users and make them feel out suggests future developments that would facilitate ap­ plying the Principles to assess the usability of all types of place. Examples of accessible design include of products and environments. ramps alongside entrances with stairs; oversized Key Words: Universal design-Principles of uni­ paddle blade handles on large, lowered sinks in versal design-Design guidelines-Evaluation crite­ public restrooms; and auxiliary tactile signage. ria-Assistive technology. These solutions can be stigmatizing and costly, sometimes added on to existing designs or even to new construction at the end of the design process. When added on later, accessible features reflect the designers' failure to consider people with lim­ Universal design can be defined as the design of itations until after the fact , often until forced to by products and environments that can be used and law. experienced by people of all ages and abilities, to Universal design is always accessible, but be­ the greatest extent possible , without adaptation cause it integrates accessibility from the beginning (Center for Accessible Housing, 1995). In the best of the design process, it is less likely to be notice­ examples, universal design features go unnoticed able. because they have been fully integrated into Adaptable design features are modifications thoughtful design solutions that are used by a full made to a standard design for the purpose ofmak­ spectrum of the population. Successfully designed ing the design usable for an individual, as needed universal solutions do not call attention to them­ (Center for Accessible Housing, 1991). Some ex­ selves as being anything more than easier for ev­ amples of adaptable design are base cabinets that eryone to use, which is exactly what they are. De­ are removable from under bathroom sinks, volume signs that were developed with consideration for controls for attaching to telephones, and large the needs of a diverse population work for men and grips for addingto kitchen utensils. Like accessible women , children and elders, small people and designs, adaptable design features sometimes look large, and people with temporary or longer-term tacked on, are stigmatizing, and add expense. disabilities. They work when it's dark, noisy, wet, Universal design sometimes employs adaptable or when we're tired. Everyone benefits. strategies for achieving customization, but it is best when all choices are presented equally. Ex­ Address correspo ndence and reprint requests to Molly Follette amples include a height-adjustable cooktop that Story, M.S., 16438 East Dorado Avenue, Aurora, CO 80015. can move between low for short or seated cooks and 4 Not all accessible design is universal. Designs that fall within the relm of "accessible" but outside of "universal" exlude some users, such as a control panel with large membrane switches that suit peo­ ple with limited manual control but not people who are blind. Universal design is the most inclusive and least stigmatizing of the three types of acces­ sible design because it addresses all types of hu­ man variation and accessibility is integrated into design solutions. HUMAN ADAPTATION There are three ways to enhance an individual's capabilities: change the person, provide the indi­ vidual with tools he or she can use, or change the environment (Vanderheiden, 1997). The first approach requires the most of the in­ dividual. It involves surgery to change the body it­ FIG . 1. Relationshi p between access ible, adaptable, self, therapy to change what the body can do, and! transge nerationa l, and uni ver sal design. or training in adaptive techniques to change how the person behaves. The second approach, providing the individual high for tall and standing cooks, or a choice ofover­ with tools he or she can use, utilizes assistive tech­ lays for a microwave control panel, such as braille nology. Assistive technology can be defined as any (for those who cannot see but know braille), tactile device that makes it easier or possible for someone (for tho se who don't know braille), or smooth (for to use a product or environment or to accomplish easier cleaning if low vision is not a concern ). a task that would otherwise be impossible or at Tran sgenerational design , sometimes called life­ least more difficult. Some assistive technologies, span design, is design that considers the changes such as eyeglasses, hearing aids, or leg prostheses, that happen to people as they age (Pirkl, 1994). Be­ are devices worn by individuals to help them in a cause it does not specifically address congenital general way as they go about their daily lives. Oth­ conditions or changes that may happen as a result er technologies, such as magnifying glasses, of an injury or illness, transgenerational design sound-amplifying TV headphones, or walking does not necessarily address the full range of pos­ canes, are tools used by individuals to accomplish sible disabilities nor other factor s that affect us­ specific tasks. ability, such as gender differences, cultural back­ The third approach, changing the environment ground, and literacy level. Some universal design to make it easier to use, would include lowered is tran sgenerational, but the approach is inclusive kitchen sinks with open knee space below, tactile of more than just age-related disabilities. lettering or symbols on signage or products, and Universal design, then, is sometimes adaptable open or closed captioning on television and video and sometimes transgenerational but alway s ac­ programming. cessible. The relationship between th e four types These are all methods of adaptation, although of design can be illustrated as shown in Figure 1. the three categories above are listed in decreasing Figure 1 shows a large circle labeled "Accessible order of how much they require of the individual. Design." Within it are three small circles, and por­ The implications of the change of focus are signif­ tions of each small circle overlap the other two; in icant and have a major impact on people's inde­ the center, all three overlap. The three small cir­ pendence and self image. Universal design applies cles are labeled "Adaptable Design ," "Transgener­ to the third approach, changing the built environ­ ational Design," and "Universal Design ." This di­ ment, which includes everyday products, build­ agram illustrates that universal design, adaptable ings , and outdoor environments. Its goal is to min­ design , and transgenerational design are all sub­ imize the need to change the individual or employ sets of accessible design. Sometimes a design can assistive technology and to make everyone's use of be considered to be two of these subsets , and some products and environments as smooth as possible. designs are all three. Universal design strives to minimize the amount PRINCIPLES OF UNIVERSAL DESIGN 5 of adaptation required of the individual and max­ asked consumers to evaluate the criteria and help imize their natural inclusion in daily activities of amend them for use by the RERC-TET in their all kinds. product evaluations (Lane, Usiak, & Moffatt, 1996; Lane, Usiak, Stone, & Scherer, 1997). Their re­ DESIGN GUIDELINES AND EVALUATION sulting 11 criteria, condensed from the Batavia CRITERIA and Hammer criteria, are How is assistive technology designed? A number • effectiveness, of groups have published guidelines for the devel­ • affordability, opment of various specific technologies, most no­ • reliability, tably those contained in the Telecommunications • portability, Act of 1996 (Telecommunications Access Advisory • durability, Committee, 1997). Several references contain cri­ • securability,