Overview 1E8 - Universal Design · cheaper to design inclusively from the beginning than retrofit afterwards => UNIVERSAL DESIGN 1E8-Lecture 2 Alexis.Donnelly Page 5 of 34 Slide Show

1E8 - Universal Design

http://www.cs.tcd.ie/Alexis.Donnelly/1e8/

Alexis Donnelly

Department of Computer Science,

O'Reilly Institute,

office: LG.21

E-mail: [email protected]

1E8-Lecture 2 Alexis.Donnelly Page 1 of 34

Overview

A Little More History

Slide Show

Seven Attributes of UD (aka Principles)

Critique of Part M

Universal Design - the Video


A Little History

In the beginning, engineering was chiefly military and characterised by:

design for the battlefield

Interchangeable parts - design around standards and the average

average person = fit young male of arms-bearing age


History: Carried over to "Civilian World"

early 1900s:

life expectancy 47,

"disabled" were in institutions (out of sight, out of mind) or dead.

early 2000s:

life expectancy 86,

people living with disabilities,

a more diverse population


History: Now

Growing awareness that designed exclusion is wrong

Human Rights perspective:

legislation

professional duty of care

positive image in marketplace

Commercial perspective:

cheaper for society to include everybody

significant lucrative market - "grey panthers"

- large disposable income who want products

with no stigma that all can use

cheaper to design inclusively from the beginning than retrofit afterwards

=> UNIVERSAL DESIGN


Slide Show

The best UD is often subtle and "invisible"

SOURCES: Lecturer's own; "Beautiful Universal Design" by Leibrock & Terry; and "Accessible Housing by Design" by

Steven Winter Associates.


some shelves, hangers low down

all features adjustable - can suit toddler, adult

and wheelchair user - adaptability

further parts can be purchased to suit most

alcoves


roll-in shower suits wheelchair

transfer space beside toilet pan

clour contrasting grab rails

knee room beneath wash basin

mirror can be tilted for seated user

vertical grabrails beside mirror for

those who are unsteady standing


lever handles to faciltate poor grip or

hands-busy operation

bolt also operated by lever handle

coin operation of bolt from outside -

rescue in case of fall


paved ramped acess to North

American style porch

looks original

facilitates heavy deliveries, trikes,

bikes,skateboards...


most plants can be worked on by a gardener who uses a wheelchair

most vertical surfaces are covered by cultivated plants

most plants can be worked on with far less back strain than in a conventional

garden!


room for wheelchair footrests below washing/drying machine

don't have two bend down as far when the loading these machines

knee room beneath the table for sorting/ironing clothes

note ironing board at reduced height and no legs beneath it

note also catch on lower edge of window


roll in shower floor to facilitate wheelchair

hinged shower seat may be used if required and

folded up when not

colour contrasting grab rails


note fountains at different heights to

facilitate children, wheelchair users

and adults

knee space kept clear underneath


Seven Attributes of UD Products

(The principles of Universal Design)

Equitable Use1.

Flexibility in Use2.

Simple and Intuitive Use3.

Perceptible Information4.

Tolerance for Error5.

Low Physical Effort6.

Size and Space for Approach and Use7.

SOURCE: Centre for Universal Design, North Carolina State University. See their Principles of Universal Design page

and the more extensive Universal Design File

These principles were developed by a multi-discplinary working group (including architects, product designers,

engineers and environmental design researchers) at CUD, NCSU:

Betty Rose Connell, Mike Jones, Ron Mace, Jim Mueller, Abir Mullick, Elaine Ostroff, Jon Sanford, Ed Steinfeld, Molly

Story, & Gregg Vanderheiden


1: Equitable Use

The design is useful and marketable to people

with diverse abilities.

GUIDELINES:

Provide the same means of use for all users:

identical whenever possible;

equivalent when not.

Avoid segregating or stigmatizing any users.

Provisions for privacy, security, and safety should be equally available to all users.

Make the design appealing to all users.


2: Flexible in Use

The design accommodates a wide range of

individual preferences and abilities.

GUIDELINES:

Provide choice in methods of use.

Accommodate right- or left-handed access and use.

Facilitate the user's accuracy and precision.

Provide adaptability to the user's pace.


3: Simple and Intuitive Use

Design is easy to understand, regardless of the

user's experience, knowledge, language skills, or

current concentration level.

GUIDELINES:

Eliminate unnecessary complexity.

Be consistent with user expectations and intuition.

Accommodate a wide range of literacy and language skills.

Arrange information consistent with its importance.

Provide effective prompting and feedback during and after task completion.


4: Perceptible Information

The design communicates necessary information

effectively to the user, regardless of ambient

conditions or the user's sensory abilities.

GUIDELINES:

Use different modes (pictorial, verbal, tactile) for redundant presentation of essential

information.

Provide adequate contrast between essential information and its surroundings.

Maximize "legibility" of essential information.

Differentiate elements in ways that can be described (i.e., make it easy to give

instructions or directions).

Provide compatibility with a variety of techniques or devices used by people with

sensory limitations.


5: Tolerance for Error

The design minimizes hazards and the adverse

consequences of accidental or unintended

actions.

GUIDELINES:

Arrange elements to minimize hazards and errors:

most used elements => most accessible;

hazardous elements => eliminated, isolated, or shielded.

Provide warnings of hazards and errors.

Provide fail safe features.

Discourage unconscious action in tasks that require vigilance.


6: Low Physical Effort

The design can be used efficiently and

comfortably and with a minimum of fatigue.

GUIDELINES:

Allow user to maintain a neutral body position.

Use reasonable operating forces.

Minimize repetitive actions.

Minimize sustained physical effort


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:

Provide a clear line of sight to important elements for any seated or standing user.

Make reach to all components comfortable for any seated or standing user.

Accommodate variations in hand and grip size.

Provide adequate space for the use of assistive devices or personal assistance.


Summary:

Seven Attributes of UD Products

Principles of Universal Design:

Equitable Use1.

Flexibility in Use2.

Simple and Intuitive Use3.

Perceptible Information4.

Tolerance for Error5.

Low Physical Effort6.

Size and Space for Approach and Use7.

Recall: Arrived at after plenty of research, discussion and argument by:

architects

product designers

environmental design researchers

engineers


Part M: Is Part M Universal Design ?

Part M: What most building professionals use to ensure

"Access for Disabled People", but

what about use of all facilities inside building?

Claims to have a basis in UD,

but some problems are apparent:

Definition of Disabilty

Application

gives (some) solutions, but omits stating the problem!

Inconsistent and patchy coverage

Not Integrated


Part M: Definition of Disability

Part M defines disability as:

walking impairment

use of a wheelchair

impairment of hearing

impairment of vision

but what about:

low stature?

poor stamina?

bowel/bladder disorder?

allergies?

cognitive impairment?

impairment of dexterity/grip?


Part M: Application

Part M applies to:

new buildings (dwellings and larger buildings)

existing buildings (after 1992) where:

large extension

change of use

material alteration

What about:

refurbishments?

works to immediate exterior?


Part M: Integration

Building regulations are divided into several parts:

Part B - Fire

Part K - Stairs/Vertical Circulation

Part D - Materials and Workmanship

Part G - Hygiene

etc..

People with Disabilities are affected by all these provisions.

Leads to segregation in the mind of the designer.

So why not integrate Part M's provisions with the others?

They did in Scotland !

(one of the first acts of the newly formed Scottish Executive)


Part M:

NDA Report - Effectiveness of Part M

A report from National Disability Authority (Dec 2005) shows that Part M is:

weak by international standards: several items not covered well / at all - sensory

impairments, parking ...

widely ignored: "doesn't apply in rural areas",

"I have letter from owner saying level entrance not required."

poorly enforced: 15% inspections target rarely reached

Recommendations include:

addressing the above flaws, and

better planning control required to catch errors at design stage

A review is now underway, and new arrangements may include "access certificates".

See National Disability Authority website and search under "Publications".


Finale

Read more from the Universal Design File at CUD, NCSU

In preparation for next lecture, re-design an ATM according to UD principles.

Now the Video!


Documents

Overview 1E8 - Universal Design · cheaper to design inclusively from the beginning than retrofit afterwards => UNIVERSAL DESIGN 1E8-Lecture 2 Alexis.Donnelly Page 5 of 34 Slide Show