Webinar Recap: Widening the Welcome -Incorporating Universal Design in Physical and Virtual Spaces

This Clear Language Lab webinar took place on June 9, 2021 as part of the Plain Language Foundations Series. This webinar was hosted in partnership with special guests, Krescene Beck and Amy Foster, from the Illinois Self-Advocacy Alliance. Check out the notes below or access the webinar recording.

Key Points

“Universal Design is design that’s usable by all people, to the greatest extent possible, without the need for adaptation or specialized design.”

-Ron Mace, architect and designer

As we adapt to a new hybrid future, how can we continue to develop environments and experiences that meet everyone’s needs?

Illinois Self-Advocacy Alliance

• Vision: for self-advocates to work together to get the support we need and live the life we want in the community

• Mission: to speak up for ourselves and each other while working together to make changes in our communities and Illinois

Universal Design

• Inclusive design of information, communication and environment

• “Equal Time” design where everyone gets the same information, access, communication at the same time

• Decreases fatigue

• Increases performance and understanding

7 Principles of Universal Design

1. Equitable Use: The design does not disadvantage or stigmatize a group.

   1. Provide the same means of use for all users; identical whenever possible; equivalent when not

   2. Avoid segregating, stigmatizing any users

   3. Provisions for privacy, security, and safety should be equally available to all users

   4. Make the design appealing to all users

1. Flexibility in Use: The design accommodates a wide range of individual preferences and abilities.

   1. Provide choice in methods of use

   2. Accommodate right-handed or left-handed access and use

   3. Facilitate the user’s accuracy and precision

   4. Provide adaptability to the user’s pace

1. Simple Intuitive (Natural) Use: Use of the design is easy to understand, regardless of the user’s experience, knowledge, language skills, or current concentration level.

   1. Eliminate unnecessary complexity

   2. Be consistent with user expectations

   3. Accommodate a wide range of literacy and language skills

   4. Arrange information consistent with its importance

   5. Provide effective prompting and feedback during and after task completion

1. Perceptible Information: The design communicates necessary information effectively to the user, regardless of ambient conditions or the user’s sensory abilities.

   1. Use different modes - pictorial, verbal, tactile - for redundant presentation of essential information

   2. Provide adequate contrast between essential information and its surroundings

   3. Maximize “legibility” (reading) of important information

      1. Use clear fonts - preferably in a larger size

      2. No words over pictures

      3. Consider how color will look to people with low vision

      4. Make sure that clickable links are distinct

   4. Differentiate elements in ways that can be described (ie., make it easy to give instructions or directions)

   5. Provide compatibility with a variety techniques or devices used by people with sensory limitations

   6. Use headings when applicable and logical reading order

1. Tolerance for Error: The design minimizes hazards and the adverse consequences of accidental or unintended actions.

   1. Arrange elements to minimize hazards and errors: most used elements, most accessible; hazardous elements eliminated, isolated, or shielded

   2. Provide warnings of hazards and errors

   3. Provide fail safe features

   4. Discourage unconscious action in tasks that require vigilance

1. Low Physical Effort: The design can be used efficiently and comfortably and with minimum fatigue.

   1. Allow user to maintain a neutral body position

   2. Use reasonable operating forces

   3. Minimize repetitive actions

   4. Minimize sustained physical effort

1. Size and Space for Approach for Use: Appropriate size and space is provided for approach, reach, manipulation, and use regardless of the user’s body size, posture, or mobility.

   1. Provide a clear line of sight to important elements for any seated or standing user

   2. Make reach to all components comfortable for any seated or standing user

   3. Accommodate variations in hand grip size

   4. Provide adequate space for the use of assistive devices or personal assistance

“Look at the power of design to empower everyone!” - Dan Formosa, Smart Design

Resources:

Illinois Self-Advocacy Alliance