Universal Design

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Universal Design

The traffic lights controlled pedestrian crossing is an example of Universal Design, also sometimes called inclusive design. Everyone can do the same thing at the same time - they may have different means of perceiving that they can cross but they can all cross at the same time in the same place together. We apply this concept to information and websites.

"Universal design is 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."
– Ron Mace NC State University, The Center for Universal Design
"Universal Design is a framework for the design of places, things, information, communication and policy to be usable by the widest range of people operating in the widest range of situations without special or separate design. Most simply, Universal Design is human-centred design of everything with everyone in mind.
Universal Design is also called Inclusive Design, Design-for-All and Lifespan Design. It is not a design style but an orientation to any design process that starts with a responsibility to the experience of the user."
(Source: Institute for Human Centered Design)

The Universal design concept can and should be applied widely. It can be used for technology, both hardware and software and communications systems as well as the built environment. Most importantly it can be applied to less tangible aspects of life, such as information presentation and design.

Most importantly universal design is an inclusive way of thinking that should underpin every activity and process. It is a basic philosophical principle which underpins everything we do at AccEase.

For example, we believe that everyone should use the same web site rather than provide alternative ‘text only’ sites.

Universal design means that information should be provided in ways that will be understood and can be used by the widest possible aulience, whether is is hard copy or electronic.

The good news is that we can do it. We have a whole variety of inexpensive ways of presenting information to the widest audience.

All the information, for all the people, all the time.
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