What Is Universal Design?

Universal design is the design of products and environments so that they can be used by all people, to the greatest extent possible, without adaptation or specialized design. It is intended to simplify life for everyone by making products, communications and the built environment more usable by as many people as possible at little or no extra cost. Universal design benefits people of all ages and abilities.

North Carolina State University's Center for Universal Design has developed principles for universal design. It can be reached at www.design.ncsu.edu/cud/index.html.