Universal Design is an approach that aims to make products and environments usable by people of all abilities to the greatest extent possible without adaptation. It can be applied to any environment like classrooms, workplaces, or digital spaces. The process involves identifying the target environment, defining the intended users, involving consumers, adopting accessibility standards, applying those standards through design, planning accommodations, providing training, and conducting evaluations. Key principles of Universal Design include equitable use, flexibility, simplicity, perceptible information, tolerance for errors, low physical effort, and appropriate size and space.

1. Universal Design
By Gunther Poth

2. Overview
• Can be applied to any product or environment
• Universal Design is a goal that puts a high
value on both diversity and inclusiveness
• UD can be applied to any product or
environment, such as
curriculum, instruction, career services
offices, multimedia, tutoring learning
centers, conference exhibits, museums, etc.

3. The Process
• Identify the application- specify
the product or environment
• Define the universe- describe
overall population
• Involve consumers
• Adopt guidelines or standards
• Apply guidelines or standards
• Plan for accommodations
• Train and support
• Evaluate- periodic evaluations

4. Universal Design Principles
• Equitable Use- for diverse abilities
• Flexibility in Use- for wide range of
individual preferences and abilities
• Simple and Intuitive- easy to
understand, regardless of the user’s
experience, knowledge, etc.
• Perceptible Informative- communicates
necessary information
• Tolerance for error-minimizes hazards
• Low Physical Effort- designed
efficiently, comfortably, and with
minimum fatigue
• Size and space for approach and use- can
be used regardless of the user’s body
size, posture or mobility

5. Random
• Making a product or an environment
accessible to people with disabilities often
benefits others
• Universal Design is a goal that puts a high
value on both diversity and inclusiveness

6. Resources
• http://www.washington.edu/doit/Brochures/
Programs/ud.html