Centre for Excellence in Universal Design Introduction to

Centre for Excellence in Universal Design Introduction to Universal Design www. universaldesign. ie

The Centre for Excellence in Universal Design o The Centre for Excellence in Universal Design (CEUD) is dedicated to enabling the design of environments that can be accessed, understood and used regardless of a person's age, size, ability or disability. o This one hour introductory lecture covers ❏ ❏ ❏ Introduction to Universal Design Definition The 7 Principles The Universal Design Grand Challenge Resources for teaching and learning Universal Design 2

Universal Design for ICT o Communication is fundamental to being human. 3

Universal Design for ICT Our need to communicate has inspired some of the world’s greatest inventions. 4

Universal Design for ICT o Many features on today’s smart phones were inspired by people with difficulty communicating, seeing or hearing… Using sign language on a video call 5

Universal Design for ICT o . . . and now we all use them! Speech output while driving Closed captions on a video Voice commands¸ 6

Universal Design for the Built Environment o People of diverse abilities and needs should be able to use buildings and places comfortably and safely, as far as possible. 7

Luas The more our buildings and places are designed to accommodate the widest range of people possible, the more they work for everyone

Universal Design for the Built Environment o Universal Design places diversity at the heart of the design process so that buildings and environments can be used to meet the need of all people, regardless of their o AGE o SIZE o ABILITY o DISABILITY 9

Universal Design for Products and Services o Services such as public transport are made up of a wide variety of components such as technology, buildings, vehicles and customer services. 10

Universal Design for Products and Services o For any service to be inclusive –the technology, built environment and products the services use must work together. o Companies can really benefit from “Extending their range of users” by providing mainstream products and services that are easy to access, understand use by everyone 11

Universal Design is the design and composition of an environment so that it can be accessed, understood and used to the greatest extent possible by all people, regardless of their age, size or disability. Disability Act 2005 12

Universal Design – a global phenomenon q In some countries, Universal Design is called ‘Design for all’ (EU) or ‘Inclusive Design’ (CA, UK). q Ireland is the only country that contains a definition of Universal Design in legislation, and that has established a statutory Centre for Excellence in Universal Design. 13

Universal Design – oversampling the extremes o Universal Design is closely related to other design processes such as User Centred Design and UX / CX. o To meet the needs of the widest range of users, consider the needs of diverse user groups. o Oversample the tails on the distribution curve when conducting user research and testing! 14

Universal Design and accessibility o Universal Design is not a euphemism for accessibility. o Accessibility features such as ramps and lifts are ‘potent symbols of separateness’. o Universal Design promotes equality of access for all people. 15

Key drivers for Universal Design. No. 1 It’s the law, and a matter of human rights o Irish equality legislation requires that every person is able to access goods and services on an equal basis with others. o Being able to access, understand use your environment, technology, products and services is a key enabler of human rights, such as being to work, or receive an education. o New legislation coming from the EU will make it illegal to place certain products on the market that do not have a minimum level of accessibility 16

”The only important thing about design is how it relates to people. ” Victor Papenek 17

Key drivers for Universal Design. No. 2 Universal Design results in better designs for everyone, and the planet ❑ Universal Design is better design – it works first time for more people and is comfortable and easy to use. ❑ If a building, product or piece of technology is designed for everyone, it negates the need for expensive and wasteful retrofitting. 18

“Design, if it is to be ecologically responsible and socially responsive, must be revolutionary and radical. ” Victor Papenek 19

Key drivers for Universal Design. No. 3 Universal Design makes good business sense > 1, 000, 000 Over one billion people world wide have some form of disability. The number of older people in western countries is steadily increasing. Most companies do not consider these market segments, resulting in a potential loss of market of nearly 20% 20

“In my mind I’m never living in the present. I’m thinking up to 10 years into the future. ” Adrian Van Hooydunk, BMW Chief Designer 21

The 7 Principles The 7 principles and 29 guidelines of Universal Design may be applied to evaluate existing designs, guide the design process and educate both designers and consumers about the characteristics of more usable products and environments. 22

Principle 1: Equitable Use The design is useful and marketable to people with diverse abilities. Faculty of Design Interior Architecture

Principle 2: Flexibility in Use The design accommodates a wide range of individual preferences and abilities. A person at a computer table. The table height can be easily adjusted to suit different user needs. Right and left-handed scissors

Principle 3: Simple and Intuitive Use of the design is easy to understand, regardless of the user's experience, knowledge, language skills, or current concentration level.

Principle 4: Perceptible Information The design communicates necessary information effectively to the user, regardless of ambient conditions or the user's sensory abilities.

Principle 5: Tolerance for Error The design minimizes hazards and the adverse consequences of accidental or unintended actions.

Principle 6: Low Physical Effort The design can be used efficiently and comfortably and with a minimum of fatigue.

Principle 7: Size and Space for Approach and Use Appropriate size and space is provided for approach, reach, manipulation, and use regardless of user's body size, posture, or mobility.

Meet the Normals o “The Normals” are a family of diverse ages, abilities, size and disabilities. Just like any other family! o See if you can identify the 7 principles at work in this 7 minute video. ❏ (click on the image in the next slide to open the video on You. Tube. )

Meet “The Normals”

Using Universal Design in your student work o Allow the 7 Principles of Universal Design to inspire unique “Easy to Use” design solutions. o Apply the 29 Universal Design Guidelines to inform evaluation criteria for the design development process.

Universal Design Grand Challenge Student Awards 2020 Have your student project reviewed by leading international designers Win cash prizes and receive mentoring supports at our awards evening Launch your career as an award winning designer Launching January 2020 Learn more at www. universaldesign. ie/UDGrand. Challenge

Resources CEUD - Built Environment IDEA centre – University of Buffalo Beyond Accessibility To Universal Design Products & Services Technology / ICT Customer Communications Toolkit Microsoft Inclusive Design Toolkit I. S. EN 17161: 2019 Process standard on Universal Design W 3 C - Web Accessibility Perspectives (videos) 34

This is just the first in a suite of free materials available to 3 rd level lecturers in Ireland. For more information or advice on incorporating Universal Design into your curriculum, contact the Centre for Excellence in Universal Design at info@ceud. ie Attribution-No. Derivatives 4. 0 International (CC BY-ND 4. 0) 35