Tuesday, January 5, 2010

Universal Design...What is it?

Definitions:

uni·ver·sal, (yü-nə-ˈvər-səl), adj.
1: including or covering all or a whole collectively or distributively without limit or exception; especiallyavailable equitably to all members of a society 
2 a: present or occurring everywhere, bexistent or operative everywhere or under all conditions 
3 a: embracing a major part or the greatest portion (as of humankind), b: comprehensively broad and versatile 
4 aaffirming or denying something of all members of a class or of all values of a variable bdenoting every member of a class
5: adapted or adjustable to meet varied requirements (as of use, shape, or size) 

de·sign, (di-ˈzīn), verb
1to create, fashion, execute, or construct according to plan 
2 a: to conceive and plan out in the mindb: to have as a purposecto devise for a specific function or end 
3: archaicto indicate with a distinctive mark, sign, or name
4 ato make a drawing, pattern, or sketch of  b: to draw the plans for 

Explanation:

“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

The purpose of universal design is to simplify life for everyone by making products, technologies, and the built environment more usable by as many people as possible at little or no extra cost. Universal design benefits people of all ages, sizes and abilities.  Sometimes it is referred to as “design-for-all”.


Got questions or comments about universal design?
Contact me at:
jeanette@DesignForALifespan.com
480.695.1360

No comments:

Post a Comment