Universal Design is defined by Ron Mace 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." It is often considered as an evolution of the idea of barrier free design.

Table of contents
1 Seven Principles to Universal Design
2 Related Topics
3 External References

Seven Principles to Universal Design

  1. Equitable Use
  2. Flexibility in Use
  3. Simple and Intuitive
  4. Perceptible Information
  5. Tolerance for Error
  6. Low Physical Effort
  7. Size and Space for Approach and Use

These principles were compiled by Bettye Rose Connell, Mike Jones, Ron Mace, Jim Mueller, Abir Mullick, Elaine Ostroff, Jon Sanford, Ed Steinfeld, Molly Story, and Gregg Vanderheiden. The principles represent a superset of the interests of accessible design, which focuses on improving designs for the elderly and people with disabilities.

Related Topics

In October 2003, representatives from China, Japan, and South Korea met in Beijing and agreed to set up a committee to define common design standards for a wide range of products and services that are easy to understand and use. Their goal is to publish a standard in 2004 which covers, among other areas, standards on containers and wrappings of household goods (based on a proposal from experts in Japan), and standardization of signs for public facilities, a subject of particular interest to China as it prepares to host the 2008 Summer Olympics.

See also:

External References