Universal Design
The 7 Principles of Universal Design were developed in 1997 by a working group of architects, product designers, engineers and environmental design researchers, led by the late Ronald Mace of North Carolina State University.The purpose of the Principles is to guide the design of environments, products and communications. According to the Center for Universal Design in NCSU, the Principles "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."
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Principle 1: Equitable Use
The design is useful and marketable to people with diverse abilities.Guidelines:
1a. Provide the same means of
use for all users: identical
whenever possible;
equivalent when not.
1b. Avoid segregating or
stigmatizing any users.
1c. Provisions for privacy,
security, and safety should
be equally available to all
users.
1d. Make the design appealing
to all users.
Principle 2: Flexibility in Use
The design accommodates a wide range of individual preferences and abilities. Guidelines:
2a. Provide choice in methods
of use.
2b. Accommodate right-handed or
left-handed access and use.
2c. Facilitate the user's accuracy
and precision.
2d. Provide adaptability to the
user's pace.
Principle 3: Simple and Intuitive Use
Use of the design is easy to understand, regardless of the user's experience, knowledge, language skills, or current concentration level.
Guidelines:
3a. Eliminate unnecessary
complexity.
3b. Be consistent with user
expectations and intuition.
3c. Accommodate a wide range
of literacy and language
skills.
3d. Arrange information
consistent with its
importance.
3e. Provide effective prompting
and feedback during and
after task completion.
Principle 4: Perceptible Information
The design communicates necessary information effectively to the user, regardless of ambient conditions or the user's sensory abilities. Guidelines:
4a. Use different modes
(pictorial, verbal, tactile) for
redundant presentation of
essential information.
4b. Provide adequate contrast
between essential
information and its
surroundings.
4c. Maximize "legibility" of
essential information.
4d. Differentiate elements in
ways that can be described
(i.e., make it easy to give
instructions or directions).
4e. Provide compatibility with a
variety of techniques or
devices used by people with
sensory limitations.
Principle 5: Tolerance for Error
The design minimizes hazards and the adverse consequences of accidental or unintended actions. Guidelines:
5a. Arrange elements to
minimize hazards and
errors: most used elements,
most accessible; hazardous
elements eliminated,
isolated, or shielded.
5b. Provide warnings of hazards
and errors.
5c. Provide fail safe features.
5d. Discourage unconscious
action in tasks that require
vigilance.
Principle 6: Low Physical Effort
The design can be used efficiently and comfortably and with a minimum of fatigue. Guidelines:
6a. Allow user to maintain a
neutral body position.
6b. Use reasonable operating
forces.
6c. Minimize repetitive actions.
6d. Minimize sustained physical
effort.
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. Guidelines:
7a. Provide a clear line of sight
to important elements for
any seated or standing user.
7b. Make reach to all
components comfortable for
any seated or standing user.
7c. Accommodate variations in
hand and grip size.
7d. Provide adequate space for
the use of assistive devices
or personal assistance.