Workplace Resources

Universal Design

The roots of Universal design derive from the disability rights movement in the 1960's when people with disabilities demanded accessible buildings, transportation and communication standards (S. M. Bauer, 2003). In the new economy universal design often has a technological connotation. When a technology is said to have been designed according to universal principles it is accessible to everyone and does not require expensive and complicated accessories to make it work for some populations (R.Cardinali, & Gordon, Z, 2002). In essence, universal design is the final stage of the electronic curb-cut effect: the transformation of an accommodation feature from special to regular and the realization that the accommodation features of a technology makes good business sense - market potential, improved productivity, profit appeal and universal benefit.

References

Bauer, S.M. (2003). Demand pull technology transfer applied to the field of assistive technology. Journal of technology transfer, 28, 285-303.