Universal Design Defined

Universal design is an approach to the development of "products and environments that can be used effectively by all people, to the greatest extent possible, without the need for adaptation or specialized design" (North Carolina State University, 1997). It is an inclusive process aimed at enabling all of us to experience the full benefits of the products and environments around us regardless of our ages, sizes or abilities.

By designing for a diverse population, universal designers integrate usability by everyone into their work on a routine basis. This approach leads to greater inclusion for many groups often neglected in the design process (e.g., children, the elderly, people of small stature, frail people, etc.).

Universal design equalizes the ways people use products and services. For example, the stairless bus has a low floor section so that anyone can enter the bus from a pedestrian pathway using a short ramp that is extended to the pavement. This design makes entering the bus easier for everyone. This bus also has a system that verbally announces the next stop and displays it on an electronic message board at the same time, ensuring communication of essential information to all riders.

Is universal design a utopian dream? Is it really possible? How can every graphic, product, place or system be usable by everyone? Universal design does not claim to accommodate everyone in every circumstance. Rather, it continuously moves toward this goal of universal usability. Consequently, a more appropriate term may be universal designing, a verb rather than a noun.

Universal design acknowledges that both consumers and producers have to live with cost constraints. As a result, cost can make a difference in its successful introduction into the marketplace. Consider the case of the Oxo line of kitchen utensils, one of the most successful examples of universal design in terms of market penetration. The original set of products Oxo introduced was competitive with other utensils because the cost of production was controlled by using inexpensive plastic for most parts and designing all the utensils with an identical handle and interface. Oxo utensils have thick, resilient and non-slip handles that improve grasping.

Once Oxo was successful in introducing the innovation of larger, more comfortable handles for small utensils, they started to diversify their line to address other issues. By doing so, they started a trend in the industry. Several other companies are now producing competing products with larger handles, including those that target the higher end of the market.

Myths About Universal Design

There are many demographic trends that are fueling the demand and need for universal design. There are other important issues, like the difference between universal design and conventional ergonomic design, as well as cost implications that are not well understood. In this section, we address the many myths associated with universal design so that the value of this new design approach is clear.

Myth #1: There are only a small number of people who can benefit from universal design; thus we should not let their needs dictate.

There are many ways to define ability. By most criteria, over 10% of the population has some limitation in ability. Using the broadest category of functional limitations of any kind as a basis, (e.g., traveling three city blocks or hearing typical conversation), more than 50% of the U.S. population could be characterized as having diminished abilities. Thus, there is a sizable niche market for universal design according to the most conservative estimates, and a considerable general market by the most liberal. Throughout our lives, we all experience variations in our abilities. If we take this lifespan perspective, universal design eventually benefits all of us - hardly a small number.

Myth #2: Universal design only helps people with disabilities and older people.

Universal design extends the benefits of good functional design to many groups of people who are not necessarily classified as having a disability, but who regularly encounter functional obstacles. Consider the problems encountered by short people, tall people, large people, frail people, pregnant women, left-side dominant individuals, children, etc. In addition, consider those carrying packages, parents with children in strollers, those who are ill or fatigued and those with orientation difficulties. Visitors in an unfamiliar city or building also benefit from universal design because they might not know how to find things or how to operate its products and systems. (It is worth noting here that New York City has nearly 40 million visitors every year.) Universal design, in short, benefits everyone every day by helping us all overcome obstacles routinely encountered in our daily lives.

Myth #3: The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other disability rights laws have created equality, so there is no need to do any more.

The ADA ensures that certain protected groups with disabilities can use most of the designed environment. This is hardly equivalent to universal design. Universal design is not just about physical function. Understanding signs, finding one's way, learning how to operate products and understanding alarms and warnings are all mental, not physical, tasks. The usability of products, places and systems depends as much on the way our minds work as they do on how our bodies work. Because of this, in universal designing we have to give consideration to differences in the way people think and interpret things.

Myth #4: Improved medical technology is reducing the incidence of functional limitations, thus the need for universal design is short lived.

Contrary to this belief, since the 1970s the incidence of reduced ability in the U.S. has been increasing. Much of this increase has been accounted for by the aging of the population. The relationship between age and certain abilities is a major reason why universal design should be of interest to everyone. While statistics on functional limitations might not include us when we are young, there is a very good chance they will when we get older. Even though older people are living longer in better health, they are living with some lessened abilities. The rate of activity limitation is 38.8% for the population 65 years or over and it rises to 56.6% for those 85 or over. While rates for men are generally higher than women, by the last years of the lifespan women are more likely to experienced activity limitations than men.

Figure 1.7. As we get older, the likelihood of developing impairments increases dramatically - making us all likely beneficiaries of good universal design. (Source: 1992 Health Interview Survey, U.S. Census.)

Over the next 20 years, the older population will increase by more than 50%. This in itself would be enough to fuel a greater demand for universal design, but there is more. The geographic distribution of older people varies significantly. New York State has one of the oldest populations. The 2000 Census reported that 12.8% of the population in the state was over 65. In New York City, 11.7% of the population was over 65 and 6.1% was over 75.

Figure 1.8. The percentage of U.S. citizens over 65 will increase by more than 50% in the next 20 years. The accompanying incidence of impairment can best be addressed through universal design. (Source: U.S. Census, 2001.)

Perhaps the most important trend in aging affecting the demand for universal design, however, is the aging of the Baby Boom generation, the first of whom are now in their 50s. In New York City, the 2000 Census reported that 20.2% of the entire city population was over 55 - already a huge number - yet the first group of true Baby Boomers was born in 1946, so they are just turning 55. The bulge in the population curve caused by the large numbers of Boomers will slowly work its way toward old age. And as it does so, the need for universal design will increase steadily.

Myth #5: Universal design cannot sustain itself in the marketplace because people who need it most cannot afford it.

The older population alone has the resources to sustain a universal design industry. Although there are significant differences across groups, overall, older households have substantially more assets than younger households. Furthermore, the next generation is expected to have higher and more disposable incomes during old age than the current generation (Sabelhaus and Manchester, 1995). The Boomer generation also spends a lot more. So the combination of higher incomes, large numbers and higher consumption patterns means that this age group will have a big impact in driving the consumer economy and, consequently, increasing the demand for universal design. In addition, we often forget that there are two marketplaces for universal design, the free market and the public sector. Despite the rosy forecasts about the increasing affluence of this group, there are many people today with low annual incomes. Low-income people depend more on public services and not-for-profit organizations to meet their security, health care, housing and recreation needs. Thus, while we can expect aging Baby Boomers to have a big impact in the free market economy, the lower income population will play an important role in driving the direction of government services and those of not-for-profit organizations. The more support this group has in getting access to services, the more independent they can be in daily life and the lower the burden of service delivery (and consequent liability) will be for public and private service organizations.

Figure 1.11. In terms of percentage, relatively few people 55 and over are low-income. And those on the leading age of the Baby Boom generation often have substantial income and are inclined to spend it. (Source: U.S. Census, 1999.)

Myth #6: Universal design is simply good ergonomic design.

This is one myth that may be partially true. The field of human factors and ergonomics has developed principles to improve the design of products, places and systems to make them safer and easier to use. Accommodating variation in abilities is an important principle in ergonomic design. However, the traditional attitude in this field has been that design cannot satisfy the needs of everyone without too great a cost and effort. Until recently, advocates of ergonomic design typically focused on the large majority in the middle of the population curve. In contrast, universal design demonstrates that with creativity and appropriate use of new technologies, those who are not in the majority can also be included. So, human factors and ergonomics experts are now starting to adopt universal design as a good ergonomic approach. Good ergonomic design, in other words, means adopting ways to design products, places and systems that can accommodate all of us.

Figure 1.12. The bell curve illustrates the fallacy of the average person. People come in a range of ages, sizes and abilities. Universally designed buildings accommodate those ranges rather than some theoretical average

Myth #7: Universal design costs even more than accessible design.

Universal design goes beyond the codes to include improved functional design that can save money over the life of the building by lowering the cost of renovation. If buildings were usable by everyone from the start, then fewer renovations would be necessary in the future and those renovations that were required would be less expensive. Accessibility codes and laws are not static. New technology and knowledge about the barriers that people with functional limitations encounter in buildings and facilities generate new initiatives over time.

Unlike accessibility code compliance, universal design is flexible; there are no legal mandates. Moreover, many universal design features cost nothing, some save money and some increase income. For example, designing a main entry with level access and no change in level inside the vestibule eliminates stairs and a ramp. Selecting door handles that are easier to use does not require any additional expense. A universally designed signage system does not have to cost any more. These features provide an excellent value. Other features may have marginal additional costs but they also may have a value that exceeds their expense. For example, an automated door in a hotel can increase the comfort and satisfaction of guests and also reduce damage to door frames, staff effort, the potential for work related injuries and congestion at the entry during bad weather. In such applications, universal design makes good economic sense.

The ADA, Building Codes and
Universal Design

As noted above, compliance with accessibility regulations is not the same thing as universal design. And yet, the ADA and local regulations (e.g., the New York City Building Code) do play a role in universal designing. In fact, anti-discrimination laws like the ADA embody the intent of universal design (i.e., eliminating discrimination in obtaining goods and services and in social participation caused by the physical environment). Thus, practicing universal design does not mean that one should ignore the requirements of the ADA regulations or local building codes - far from it. Universal designing means taking a broader look. We need to recognize that the provisions of accessibility regulations are the minimum requirements for ensuring access - and then for only a protected segment of the population. Universal design also addresses the needs of that segment - plus everyone else as well.

On the other hand, understanding the principles of universal design and knowing how to implement them should reduce problems with meeting regulations. These should automatically be fulfilled through good universal design. For example, reconsider the automated door. While neither the ADA nor the City Building Code require automated doors at building entrances, such a door is more usable for everyone who comes to the building - employees, visitors, senior citizens and children alike. As part of universal design, it is important that automated doors be usable and safe for everyone. This includes employing safety features to prevent the door from closing when someone is in the operating area and to make the door detectable by all users.

If implemented properly, universal design should reduce problems meeting ADA and City Building Code requirements.

Knowing how to accomplish these objectives is part of universal designing. Although the design criteria used to achieve universal design may be different, it is important to ensure that they also meet the ADA and City Building Code. A universal design should exceed those requirements in all respects.

Toward the Universal City

The ultimate purpose of this book is to move further toward the creation of the universal city. What kind of place would this be? Here is a list of features that the universal city should have:

The Scope of Universal Design

Universal design should address five general building issues:

The accessibility and safety of public circulation in the built environment is critical for ensuring access throughout the city. Without this, individuals are subject to unnecessary risk, expense or inconvenience.

The first step in making buildings and facilities accessible is entering and exiting. The rest of a building's features do not matter to the person who cannot get in or out the door.

To use the city effectively, we need information about where we are (orientation) and how to get where we want to go (wayfinding). This information is provided by many means: landmarks, signs and information services.

Buildings and facilities need to be designed so that their resources are accessible and usable by all inhabitants and visitors. In some types of buildings, this means making goods on display accessible to everyone.

The use of buildings includes the use of public amenities in conjunction with the main activities of the facility. Access to restrooms, drinking fountains, public telephones and information displays is a necessity, not a luxury.

Beyond the general issues, buildings of specific occupancy types have their own unique considerations.

In this book we have focused on six occupancy types:

o Cultural facilities
o Public assembly and entertainment facilities
o Participant sports and recreation facilities
o Temporary lodging
o Workplace facilities
o Human service facilities

New York City is rich in cultural facilities. Its many museums, galleries, zoological gardens, etc., are there to enhance the lives of all visitors.

Citizens and visitors alike routinely flock to the City's numerous public assembly and entertainment venues. Whether it is a music hall, a Broadway theatre or a major league baseball park, all the people should be able to find enjoyment and entertainment in these often world-renowned facilities.

In general, people enjoy participating in sports and recreation events. Children's playgrounds, recreation centers, jogging and bicycle paths, outdoor basketball courts, and playing fields are but a few examples of participant sports and recreation facilities that all New Yorkers and their guests love to frequent.

Hotels/motels and shelters are two forms of temporary lodging that are particularly important to life in large urban centers. New York City's many fine hotels/motels are there to ensure that all its visitors and guests are welcome. Its public and private shelters provide the safety net that reflects the City's concern for the welfare of all its citizens.

Workplace facilities - whether offices or factories, retail stores or assembly lines - are the economic lifeblood of New York. Ensuring all its citizens the ability to access and use such facilities keeps the City's vital signs strong.

Human service facilities such as community centers, child-care centers, senior centers, etc., are places where all people come to participate in programs that enrich their lives. Other human service facilities (e.g., police stations) are places that all people turn to for safety and security.

The guidebook's section on "Elements of the Universal City" illustrates ways that universal design can ensure that these general building issues and specific building types are available to everyone.