New To Universal Design? Start Here

So you just heard about universal design? Great! Like any good idea, universal design makes things simpler, speaks to your humanity, and appeals to your common sense. If design can marginalize people and push them to the wayside, it can also unite people and bring them together. Universal design is an approach to design that strives to have our products and environments be as usable as possible for the greatest number of people regardless of age or physical ability. Small example: the typical free standing home has a few steps up to the main entrance door. At one time, this was a construction necessity; it helped keep surface water from spilling into your basement. It became the most common construction solution. Designers spruced up this necessity and we soon had the typical American home entrance. Unfortunately, these few steps become a barrier to someone who uses a wheelchair, and is also an inconvenience for many other day-to-day uses such as strollers, wheeled luggage, temporary injuries needing crutches, walkers or wheelchairs…