Universal Design has been defined as “the design of products and environments to be usable by all people, to the greatest extent possible, without the need for adaptation or specialized design.” This definition was developed by the architect Ron Mace, FAIA, an architect and the founder of the Center for Universal Design at N.C. State University. In recent years, architects and designers in the US and abroad have come to recognize significant and growing overlaps between Universal Design principles and emerging values of social and environmental sustainability.
As a designer and a person who uses a wheelchair, my first priority is Principle One: Equitable Use––the design is useful and marketable to people with diverse abilities. The following principles are covered: equitable use; flexibility in use; simple and intuitive use; perceptible information; tolerance for error; low physical effort; size and space for approach and use.#HousingKnowledgeCommunity #DesignforAgingKnowledgeCommunity #Articles