1E8 - Universal Design · cheaper for society to include everybody significant lucrative market - "grey panthers" - large disposable income who want products with no stigma that all

1E8 - Universal Design

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

Alexis DonnellyDepartment of Computer Science,

O'Reilly Institute,

office: LG.21

E-mail: [email protected]

1E8-Lecture 2 Alexis.Donnelly Page 1 of 31

Overview

A Little More History & Commercial Reality

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:legislationprofessional duty of carepositive image in marketplace

Commercial perspective:cheaper for society to include everybodysignificant lucrative market - "grey panthers"- large disposable income who want productswith no stigma that all can usecheaper to design inclusively from the beginning than retrofit afterwards

=> UNIVERSAL DESIGN


Commercial RealityDesign-Led Companies Thrive

The Design Council (2005) showed that an index ofdesign-aware companies outperformed the FTSE-All-share by over 200% in both rising and falling

markets over a 10 year periodSOURCE: Design Index: The Impact of Design on Stock Market Performance(2005).See www.design-council.org.uk


Commercial RealityCorrecting Late Mistakes Gets Expensive

Design Stage Relative Cost of ChangeConcept 1Detail design 10Tooling 100Testing 1,000Post-release 10,000

The cost of making changes increases rapidly as release approaches(in the context of consumer products)

SOURCE: The Design Council (1994) , Mynott C, Smith J, Benson J, Allen D & Farish M. "Successful Product Development: Management Case Studies".M90s Publications, DTI, Admail 528, London SW1W 8YT, UK


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" bySteven Winter Associates.


some shelves, hangers low down

all features adjustable - can suit toddler, adultand wheelchair user - adaptability

further parts can be purchased to suit mostalcoves


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 forthose who are unsteady standing


lever handles to faciltate poor grip orhands-busy operation

bolt also operated by lever handle

coin operation of bolt from outside -rescue in case of fall


paved ramped acess to NorthAmerican 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 conventionalgarden!


room for wheelchair footrests below washing/drying machinedon't have two bend down as far when the loading these machinesknee room beneath the table for sorting/ironing clothesnote ironing board at reduced height and no legs beneath itnote also catch on lower edge of window


roll in shower floor to facilitate wheelchair

hinged shower seat may be used if required andfolded up when not

colour contrasting grab rails


note fountains at different heights tofacilitate children, wheelchair usersand 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 pageand 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, MollyStory, & Gregg Vanderheiden


1: Equitable Use

The design is useful and marketable to peoplewith 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 ofindividual 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 theuser's experience, knowledge, language skills, orcurrent 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 informationeffectively to the user, regardless of ambientconditions or the user's sensory abilities.

GUIDELINES:

Use different modes (pictorial, verbal, tactile) for redundant presentation of essentialinformation.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 giveinstructions or directions).Provide compatibility with a variety of techniques or devices used by people withsensory limitations.


5: Tolerance for Error

The design minimizes hazards and the adverseconsequences of accidental or unintendedactions.

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 andcomfortably 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 forapproach, reach, manipulation, and useregardless of user's body size, posture, ormobility.

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:

architectsproduct designers

environmental design researchersengineers


Part M: Is Part M Universal Design ?

Part M: What most building professionals use to ensure"Access for Disabled People", butwhat about use of all facilities inside building?

Claims to have a basis in UD,but some problems are apparent:

Definition of DisabiltyApplicationgives (some) solutions, but omits stating the problem!Inconsistent and patchy coverageNot Integrated


Part M: Definition of Disability

Part M defines disability as:

walking impairmentuse of a wheelchairimpairment of hearingimpairment 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 extensionchange of usematerial alteration

What about:

refurbishments?works to immediate exterior?


Part M: Integration

Building regulations are divided into several parts:

Part B - FirePart K - Stairs/Vertical CirculationPart D - Materials and WorkmanshipPart G - Hygieneetc..

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 - sensoryimpairments, 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, andbetter 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!


1E8 - Universal Design · cheaper for society to include everybody significant lucrative market - "grey panthers" - large disposable income who want products with no stigma that all

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