So you just heard about universal design? Great! Like any good idea, universal design makes things simpler, speaks to your humanity, and appeals to your common sense. If design can marginalize people and push them to the wayside, it can also unite people and bring them together. Universal design is an approach to design that strives to have our products and environments be as usable as possible for the greatest number of people regardless of age or physical ability.

Small example: the typical free standing home has a few steps up to the main entrance door. At one time, this was a construction necessity; it helped keep surface water from spilling into your basement. It became the most common construction solution. Designers spruced up this necessity and we soon had the typical American home entrance.

Unfortunately, these few steps become a barrier to someone who uses a wheelchair, and is also an inconvenience for many other day-to-day uses such as strollers, wheeled luggage, temporary injuries needing crutches, walkers or wheelchairs and for deliveries and movers. In fact, the front door soon became strictly ornamental as inhabitants favored easier access entrances from around back or from the garage.

Technology has provided many new solutions to preventing surface water from damaging a home. These entrance steps are no longer necessary yet we still build our homes with them. Why? We are so accustomed to this typical design that a home looks and feels strange when it doesn’t have them. And, we are also ignorant to just how much these few steps can make life difficult once our physical abilities are compromised by age or disability.

This ignorance is what Universal Design Resource wishes to displace with informed knowledge. It is my belief that once you understand universal design, you will choose to apply it in your home and be eternally thankful as you can appreciate the much added ease of living and confidence that a universally designed home provides.

So what is universal design? It is a set of design principles that guide a designer to consider how easily the product or environment can be used for the widest spectrum of users, people of differing ages and abilities. The front steps go and in their place is a contoured landscape with a zero-step entrance. The usefulness of the home expands from able-bodied adult to include moms with strollers, grandparents with scooters and neighbors in wheelchairs. Want to know what kind of a difference this makes? Ask a child who uses a wheelchair about visiting their friend’s home?

The seven principles of universal design are: Equitable Use; Flexibility in Use; Simple and Intuitive; Perceptible Information; Tolerance for Error; Low Physical Effort; and, Size and, Space for Approach and Use. Ron Mace led to their creation over 40 years ago and they are copyrighted by NC State University, The Center for Universal Design.

Having just heard about universal design, you might be asking, should I bother; is it for me? Yes, for a multitude of reasons. Lets assume you are an able bodied adult (you probably wouldn’t ask those questions if you weren’t). Top of your concerns are getting by and having a little money left over for fun. Imagining getting old or disabled seems far away, to far to bother. So let’s start with cost: universal design costs little when applied at the beginning of any construction, renovation or relocation – typically around 2% added cost. Should retrofitting become necessary for any reason, even temporary recovery needs, you just spent more than that 2%. Appearances: universal design is in sync with contemporary design, which favors spacious, open layouts. Convenience: you have no idea just how convenient universal design is until you experience it. Want an example? Go to your kitchen drawer, chances are that you have a few GoodGrips products by Oxo. Why? Because they are easier to hold and use. And, peace of mind: imagine parents getting older and having universal design. With it they can still visit your home and live independently longer in theirs. This alone produces great happiness and ease.

Finally, there is social sustainability. A typical home becomes obsolete when it is no longer usable. With an aging boomer population and a disabled population, it soon won’t be affordable or even possible to support a population that represents one third of our country. It becomes a necessity to build in a way that allows people to continue to live independently with joy, security and comfort. Universal design  allows them to live the lives they love and not become a burden on others. It saves planet resources that are increasingly costly and less available. It expands the usefulness of our homes.

In brief, that’s what universal design is. It’s terrific that you have learned of its existence and are beginning to ask if it’s for you. Now explore the rest of this site. Read some articles, look at some videos, find out if there are contractors near you that you can include when bidding out projects.

One extra word. Universal design is the über umbrella terminology – the most encompassing one. It is the one that speaks to us all and to a society that is inclusive. There are other terms that you will see used that although they are more specific, they will provide many of the same benefits. They are: independent living specialist, aging in place, inclusive design, ADA compliant, life span design, design for life, visitability, barrier free, adaptive technology and accessibility. As you set out, stick to these: universal design, age in place and visitability.

Bookmark this site. Come back here as I have done the work for you and organized what you are looking for better than any search engine. Look for my book soon as we move toward its release. Enjoy and good luck – you have discovered a wonderful way to live!

Konrad Kaletsch, ©2010