Universal Design

Universal Design has the same features as Aging in Place, but it covers every age range and ability. It also covers more than just residential houses, but the buildings that are accessed by the public, whether it is a shopping mall, restaurant, business, school or university.  

An interesting fact about Universal Design that I have found out about is that the idea for this concept started in the when soldiers came back from WWII and their lives where different. Many soldiers now had disabilities that they had not left home with and having a functional space that they could comfortably use became important.

Both links below go have a more in-depth history about how universal design got started:  

http://adaptyourspace.com/accessible-homes.php

http://universaldesign.ie/exploreampdiscover/historyofud

 

The Disability Act 2005 defines Universal Design, or UD, as:

1.the design and composition of an environment so that it may be accessed, understood and used

i.to the greatest possible extent,

 ii.in the most independent and natural manner possible,

iii.in the widest possible range of situations, and

iv. without the need for adaptation, modification, assistive devices or specialised solutions, by any persons of any age or size or having any particular physical, sensory, mental health or intellectual ability or disability, and

2.means, in relation to electronic systems, any electronics-based process of creating products, services or systems so that they may be used by any person. 

“An important component of Universal Design is the maintenance of aesthetics. In other words, to create something that is still visually pleasing to others despite being accessible to everyone. Function does NOT have to sacrifice beauty, and universally designed homes and public buildings can be just as beautiful and welcoming as any other design approach. Increasingly, experts are referring to the concept of Universal Design as the “wave of the future”. It is the hope of Universal Design advocates that eventually all buildings, homes, and products will be designed to meet the needs of everyone.” - http://adaptyourspace.com/accessible-homes.php