Key Topics
In order to understand universal design, we have to look at what it is not. So imagine the following:
You are in a grocery store. You are pushing a shopping cart. The store aisles are narrow however, and wherever you move you keep bumping into shelves. Moreover, you can’t find anything. There are no signs in the store marking where everything is, and items are haphazardly thrown around with no rhyme or reason. Additionally, the store lights are dim and you can’t see very well.
After the grueling task of finding everything you need is over, you pay and make your way outside. You realize that your only option to get down to the street is via a handful of steps, so you abandon the cart, and carry the shopping bags down to your car. It takes you two trips to carry all of them. You head home after a draining shopping experience.
The store does not follow the principles of universal design.
What is universal design?
Universal design is an approach to design and composition that takes human diversity into account. The goal of universal design is to have a product or environment that could be accessed and easily used and understood by all kinds of people, regardless of age, size, or ability/disability. A building, environment, or product created with universal design in mind would meet the needs of all users.
Why does universal design matter?
I previously wrote about the social model of disability. In that post, I spoke about the importance of having accessible environments and products. Check out that post for more information. Universal design is an approach that greatly aids the social model.
Universal design says that accessibility and ease of use is not a special requirement that will only help a small number of people. Having environments and products that are easy to use and easy to navigate helps everyone, not only disabled people. According to the Center for Excellence in Universal Design, “Simply put, universal design is good design.”
For example, ramps are created for wheelchair users, but they are also necessary for anyone pushing a cart or a baby stroller. A website created with screen reader navigation in mind would also be easier for a sighted person to navigate.
Video captions are crucial for those who are deaf and hard of hearing, but hearing people might also prefer to have what is being said written in front of them for better understanding. Accessible design is beneficial for everyone, not just the minority.
Going back to the scenario from the beginning. Narrow store aisles are a pain to navigate when pushing a shopping cart, and they would also make it difficult for anyone with a wheelchair or any other mobility aid to move around.
A disorganized store doesn’t help anyone and is especially detrimental for people who need order to be able to find things and not get overwhelmed, such as blind people and some neurodivergent people.
As for lighting, it’s hard for anyone to see in dim light. It’s even harder for legally blind and low-vision people. Proper lighting is key, because even light that is too bright can cause issues for those who are photophobic and/or have sensory issues.
And lastly, the lack of ramps causes issues for wheelchairs and other mobility aids, and is also a problem for anyone pushing a cart or a stroller.
The store’s design isn’t only inaccessible, it is flawed.
Accessible design isn’t just for the benefit of a minority. It helps everyone. And that is the basis of universal design. Considering all kinds of users. Making your environment or product easily accessible to the largest number of people. It is simply good design.
People are diverse. Our needs are diverse. And disability is only a fraction of that diversity. Taking that diversity into account would by default make your design more successful and the most optimal. Keep that in mind for your next project.
Universal design is not an end result, but rather it’s an approach. If we all adopt that mindset, the world would be a less taxing, and more inclusive place.
