Universal DesignFoundation & Principles

L. Scott LissnerADA Coordinator Ohio State University

ADA-OSU@OSU.EDU Http://ADA.OSU.EDU

Universal Design

• Design

• Adapted Design

• Accessible Design Standards– 1961 ANSI 117, 1968 ATBA, 1977 UFAS,

1988 FHA, 19 90 ADA, 2000 ICC

• Universal Design

• Design?

Universal Design is:• Market driven• A process not a goal• Minimizing incompatibilities between conditions of people

and their environment• About form and function• Incorporates awareness of all users needs• Comfortable & safe for widest possible range of potential

users• Inclusive• Requires the mindful creativity of the designer

Universal Design is not:• Compliance with minimum accessibility regulations• Adding on a ramp or accessible features• One size fits all

Models of Disability

• Medical Model– Based on diagnosis – Resides in the individual

• Social Model– Based on interaction between conditions of

people & conditions of the environment– Resides in the interaction

Which is more relevant for a designer?

Body FunctionsBody Functions&&

StructuresStructures

Activities Activities & &

ParticipationParticipation

Environmental Environmental FactorsFactors

BarriersBarriers

FacilitatorsFacilitators

Functions Functions

StructuresStructures

CapacityCapacity

PerformancePerformance

Health Condition Health Condition ((disorder/diseasedisorder/disease))

Interaction of ConceptsInteraction of Concepts www.who.int/classification/icf

Environmental Environmental FactorsFactors

Personal Personal FactorsFactors

Body function & Body function & structure structure

ImpairmentImpairment

ActivityActivityLimitationLimitation

ParticipationParticipationRestrictionRestriction

Equitable Use

Welcoming to diverse groups; provides for equivalent if not identical participation and effort.

Consider characteristics such as height, weight, strength, vision, hearing gender, language and cultural/background of all potential users.

Entering The Front Door

Flexibility in Use

Adaptability of the spaces over time and uses.

Flexibility in control by the users in interacting with specific elements and functions

At home, work & Play

Simple and Intuitive Use

Provides consistent forms, locations, and cues for way finding, operation or interaction.

Understandable to the novice and efficient for experienced users with diverse experience, cultural backgrounds, languages and educational levels

Not all compliant solutions are good design

Perceptible Information

Communicate information effectively across the spectrum of ambient conditions (light, sound, activity) using a variety of modalities (tactile, visual, auditory, linguistic).

Where? What?

Tolerance for Error

Minimize hazards and the adverse consequences of unintended actions, variations in pace, or vigilance.

Provide warnings or fail safe features when needed.

Low Physical Effort

Efficient building systems.

Minimize user fatigue by reducing the need for sustained physical effort, allowing for neutral or ergonomic body positioning and reasonable operating forces.

Size & Space for Approach and Use

Appropriate space to approach and reach across the full range of user heights, sizes and relative position.

Appropriately sized elements to allow manipulation across a range of hand sizes, reach ranges and positions.

Equitable Use

Flexibilityin Use

Simple and Intuitive Use

Perceptible Information

Size and Space for Approach and Use

Low Physical Effort

Tolerance for Error

The Principles work most effectively The Principles work most effectively when used togetherwhen used together