Universal Design (UD) Overview

Universal Design (UD) is an approach to creating environments that are accessible, usable, and welcoming to everyone, regardless of age, ability, or other factors. Developed in the late 1970s by a team of architects, designers, and engineers, the essence of UD is to proactively design spaces and tools that everyone can use comfortably from the outset, eliminating the need for later modifications or accommodations.

At Montgomery College, we provide training and resources on UD principles to help ensure that all physical spaces—classrooms, offices, libraries, and common areas—are not only compliant with legal standards but also truly inclusive and user-friendly.

Key Concepts

Universal Design is guided by seven fundamental principles that help create environments that are accessible, functional, and user-friendly for all:

Equitable Use

The design is useful and inviting to people with diverse physical and mental abilities, ensuring that everyone can benefit equally.

Example

Automatic doors at building entrances allow everyone, including individuals using a wheelchair, pushing a stroller, or carrying heavy items, to enter without assistance.

Flexibility in Use

The design accommodates a wide range of individual preferences and abilities, allowing users to choose how they interact with it.

Example

Adjustable-height seats and desks in classrooms and offices cater to users of different body sizes and those who prefer to sit or stand while working.

Simple and Intuitive Use

The design is easy to understand, regardless of the user’s experience, knowledge, or concentration level.

Example

Clear, simple signage with universally recognized symbols and a consistent layout makes it easier for all users to navigate around campus.

Perceptible Information

The design communicates necessary information effectively, regardless of ambient conditions or the user’s sensory abilities.

Example

Digital message boards in high-traffic areas provide real-time updates and announcements, ensuring everyone stays informed, regardless of sensory abilities.

Tolerance for Error

The design minimizes hazards and the adverse consequences of accidental or unintended actions.

Example

The “Undo” feature in digital tools allow users to easily correct mistakes without significant consequences, reducing stress and frustration.

Low Physical Effort

The design can be used efficiently and comfortably, with minimal fatigue.

Example

Campus walkways are flat or have a smooth, gentle grade; Building and room doors open automatically or with minimal effort.

Size and Space for Approach and Use

The design provides appropriate size and space for approach, reach, manipulation, and use, regardless of the user’s body size, posture, or mobility.

Example

Wide hallways and doorways that accommodate wheelchair users, ensuring everyone can move freely and comfortably through campus spaces.

Resources

Fall 2024 Spotlight: Physical Accessibility Checklist (Template)

Creating and retrofitting inclusive and accessible educational campuses is crucial for fostering an equitable learning experience. Use this template to identify key features of Universal Design in physical spaces, whether you’re evaluating an existing environment or planning a new one. It provides guidance on what to look for to ensure that spaces are welcoming, functional, and accessible for everyone.

View the Checklist (PDF)

Articles

Brukštutė, G. (2019). Physical Classroom Environment and Pedagogy. Acta Universitatis Pedagogicae Vilnensis, 43(1), 89-101.

Burgstahler, S. (n.d.). Equal Access: Universal Design of Libraries. University of Washington.

Ferleger, D. (2022). Getting from Points A to Points B: Wayfinding, Public Accommodations, and the ADA. University of Pennsylvania Law Review Online, 170, 112–126.

Greve, F. (2007, January 31). Curb ramps liberate Americans with disabilities—and everyone else. McClatchy Newspapers.

Mulliken, A. (2019). Eighteen blind library users’ experiences with library websites and search tools in U.S. academic libraries: A qualitative study. College and Research Libraries, 80(2).

Books

Hamraie, A. (2017). Building Access: Universal Design and the Politics of Disability. University of Minnesota Press.

Holmes, K. (2020). Mismatch: How Inclusion Shapes Design (Simplicity: Design, Technology, Business, Life). The MIT Press.

Williamson, B. (2019). Accessible America: A History of Disability and Design. New York University Press.

Reports

American Library Association. (2022). Accessibility in Libraries: A Landscape Review.

Government of South Australia. (2018). Accessible wayfinding and signage. Inclusive South Australia: State Disability Inclusion Plan 2019–2023.

The Center for Universal Design. (2011). Product Design Case Studies. Design Research and Methods Journal, 1(1).

MC’s Office of ELITE (E-Learning, Innovation, and Teaching Excellence)

Coming soon!

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