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Get ReportUnderstanding the Seven Principles of Universal Design
This chapter introduces the Seven Principles of Universal Design, a practical framework for creating products, services, and environments that work for as many people as possible. By the end, you’ll understand the key strategies that make truly inclusive design possible.
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Every design choice sends a message about who's included and who's left out. The Seven Principles of Universal Design provide a framework for making products, services, and environments accessible, usable, and welcoming for as many people as possible.
At its core, Universal Design creates products, services, and environments that can be accessed, understood, and by as many people as possible, regardless of their age, size, ability, or disability. When a design is accessible, usable, and enjoyable, everyone benefits, without needing specialized adaptations.
These fundamental concepts, referred to simply as "The 7 Principles", were formalized in 1997 by a working group led by the late Ronald Mace at the North Carolina State University (NCSU). The group consisted of architects, product designers, engineers, and environmental design researchers.
Developed to guide practical, real-world design, these principles provide a clear framework for creating environments and products that include everyone. Let's explore the seven principles that make inclusive design possible.
Principle 1. Equitable Use
This principle ensures the design is useful and marketable to people with diverse abilities. The core idea is to provide the same means of use for all users. If possible, the means should be identical or equivalent if not.
Equitable Use is often focused on social inclusion: the design must avoid segregating or stigmatizing any users. Furthermore, all users should have equal access to provisions for privacy, security, and safety, and the design must be appealing to everyone.
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An automatic door for built environmental accessibility over text reading 'Built Environment.' To the right is a stylized webpage with color contrast issues showing digital accessibility barriers. The text below reads 'Digital Environment.'
For example, consider an ATM that’s designed with a touchscreen, tactile buttons, audio output, and adjustable height. All users, whether they have a visual impairment, limited reach, or no disability, can complete their transactions independently and privately. No separate or specialized version is needed, and everyone enjoys the same level of access, security, and convenience.
Which characteristic aligns with the Universal Design principle of Equitable Use?
Think about fairness and inclusion. This principle focuses on giving everyone the same access and experience, without singling anyone out.
Principle 2. Flexibility in Use
Flexibility in design means accommodating a wide range of individual preferences and abilities. It gives users a choice in how they interact with a product, service, or environment. This can include practical features, such as supporting both right- and left-handed access and use, allowing users to adjust settings to their comfort, or offering multiple ways to complete a task.
The goal is to support accuracy, efficiency, and individual pace so every user can succeed in the way that works best for them.
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Left and right handed scissors over text that reads 'Built Environment'. A stylized dashboard is to the right with text reading 'Digital Environment.'.'
An example would be a digital learning platform that allows users to navigate lessons using a mouse, keyboard shortcuts, or touch gestures. It also lets learners adjust font size, color contrast, and playback speed for videos. By providing multiple ways to interact and customize the experience, the platform accommodates diverse abilities and preferences without excluding anyone.
Which of the following is an objective of the "Flexibility in Use" principle?
Think about giving users options and letting them interact in ways that match their abilities, preferences, or pace.
Principle 3. Simple and Intuitive Use
Designs adhering to this principle are easy to understand, irrespective of the user's experience, knowledge, language skills, or current concentration level. A key goal is to eliminate unnecessary complexity.
Simple and Intuitive Use dictates that the design should be consistent with user expectations and intuition. This also involves accommodating a wide range of literacy and language skills, presenting information in a clear hierarchy, and providing effective prompting and feedback during and after task completion.
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An accessible parking sign over text reading 'Built Environment.' To the right is a web browser with a popup message reading 'Submission Success!' The text below the browser reads 'Digital Environment.'
A public transit app that clearly shows routes, schedules, and fares using simple icons, color coding, and step-by-step instructions is an example of Simple and Intuitive Use. Users can easily plan a trip without prior experience, and the app provides immediate feedback if a selection is invalid, making the process intuitive for everyone.
Which requirement is mandated by the Simple and Intuitive Use principle?
Focus on clarity and predictability. This principle is about organizing information and interactions so users can understand them easily.
Principle 4. Perceptible Information
This principle is all about effective communication. The design must communicate necessary information effectively to the user, regardless of ambient conditions or the user's sensory abilities. To achieve this, essential information should be presented redundantly using different modes, including pictorial, verbal, or tactile formats.
It is also necessary to provide sufficient contrast between essential information and its surroundings, thereby maximizing legibility. Designers must differentiate elements in ways that can be easily described (helpful for giving instructions) and ensure compatibility with a variety of devices used by people with sensory limitations.
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An auditory walking signal over text reading 'Built Environment.' To the right is a stylized video player with text reading 'Accurate, readable, useful captions' with a transcript button beneath. The text below the video player reads 'Digital Environment.'
For example, consider an elevator that provides floor information in multiple ways: a visual display showing floor numbers, audible announcements, and tactile Braille buttons. Even if someone has a visual or hearing impairment, or if the lighting is poor, they can still understand where they are and how to use the elevator safely. The combination of multiple modes and high-contrast visual cues ensures the information is perceivable by everyone.
What is a key strategy for fulfilling the principle of Perceptible Information?
Think about how a design communicates important information. How can it reach users through multiple senses so nothing gets missed?
Principle 5. Tolerance for Error
No matter how skilled or focused a user is, errors can still occur. This principle focuses on minimizing hazards and reducing the consequences of accidental or unintended actions. Key strategies include making frequently used elements easy to access, isolating or shielding hazardous elements, providing clear warnings, incorporating fail-safe features, and discouraging unconscious actions in tasks that require attention.
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Power tool with guides over text reading 'Built Environment.' To the right is a stylized web browser with a timeout warning over text reading 'Digital Environment.'
An example of tolerance for error would be a banking app that asks users to confirm large money transfers before finalizing them. If a user accidentally selects the wrong account or amount, the app prompts a confirmation and allows easy reversal. By anticipating errors and providing safeguards, the app reduces risk and keeps users safe.
Which measure is specifically included under the Tolerance for Error principle?
Think about how designs can reduce the impact of mistakes. What features help prevent accidents or limit their consequences?
Principle 6. Low Physical Effort
The objective of Low Physical Effort is to make a design easy and comfortable to use while minimizing fatigue. To minimize strain and fatigue, designers should allow the user to maintain a neutral body position. This also means using reasonable operating forces, minimizing repetitive actions, and minimizing sustained physical effort.
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A hand underneath an automatic soap dispenser with text reading 'Built Environment'. To the left is a hand operating arrow keys above text reading 'Digital Environment.'
For example, consider an automatic sliding door at a grocery store. People can enter and exit without pushing or pulling, maintaining a natural posture and avoiding unnecessary strain. By minimizing effort, the door is accessible and convenient for everyone.
Which design goal is associated with the principle of Low Physical Effort?
Remember, one goal of this principle is to avoid unnecessary strain.
Principle 7. Size and Space for Approach and Use
This principle ensures that approach, reach, manipulation, and use are sized and spaced appropriately, regardless of the user's body size, posture, or mobility. Designs should provide a clear line of sight to important elements,comfortable reach for both seated and standing users, and enough space to accommodate assistive devices and variations in hand and grip size.
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A door measuring 32 inches over text reading 'Built Environment.' To the right is a large touch-target button next to smaller touch targets with an error message. The text below reads 'Digital Environment.'
An example of this principle would be a public library checkout kiosk that has an adjustable-height touchscreen and ample space underneath for a wheelchair user. All users can see the screen, reach the controls comfortably, and use the device without obstruction, making the experience fully accessible.
What specific requirement does the principle of Size and Space for Approach and Use include regarding accessibility devices?
Think about how the design accommodates physical access. What ensures that someone using a wheelchair, walker, or other assistive device can interact comfortably?
Connecting to Your Work
The Seven Principles of Universal Design serve as a powerful checklist and philosophical guide for inclusive development in domains ranging from architecture to information communication technologies (ICT). Remember that universal design is a process intended to create environments or items that are useful to a wide range of people with diverse abilities from the start.
By contrast, individualized accommodations are necessary modifications made after the fact to address design shortcomings in a specific case. By applying these principles comprehensively, professionals can dramatically reduce the need for subsequent accommodations or personal assistance, achieving better, more accessible outcomes.
KEEP LEARNING
Move to the next chapter: Universal Design for Learning Guidelines Overview.
IAAP Suggested Study Resources
The 7 Principles(opens in a new tab)
Centre for Excellence in Universal Design