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Universal design, which is related to "inclusive design" and "design for all," is an approach to the design of products, services and environments to be usable by as many people as possible regardless of age, ability or situation. It links directly to the political concept of an inclusive society and its importance has been recognised by governments, business and industry.

Universal design is a relatively new paradigm that emerged from "barrier-free" or "accessible design" and "assistive technology." Barrier free design and assitive technology provide a level of accessibility for people with disabilities but they also often result in separate and stigmatizing solutions, for example, a ramp that leads to a different entry to a building than a main stairway. Universal design strives to be a broad-spectrum solution that helps everyone, not just people with disabilities. Moreover, it recognizes the importance of how things look. For example, while built up handles are a way to make utensils more usable for people with gripping limitations, the Oxo Good Grips line of products introduced larger, easy to grip and attractive handles as feature of mass producted utensils. They appeal to a wide range of consumers.

As life expectancy rises and modern medicine has increases the survival rate of those with significant injuries, illnesses and birth defects, there is a growing interest in universal design. There are many industries in which universal design is having strong market penetration but there are many others in which it has not yet been adopted to any great extent.

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Universal Design :: Disability
Building Modifications :: Assistive Technology
Accessibility :: Disabilities

 
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AC Decor & Design: Linear Drains - a Natural Fit for Universal Design http://bit.ly/7hxyWK #AC #Decor #Design
AC_Home_Improve (AC Home Improvement) Tue, 22 Dec 2009 00:23:10 -0000
AC Decor & Design: Linear Drains - a Natural Fit for Universal Design http://bit.ly/7hxyWK #AC #Decor #Design
Professor Tom's Corner : The Universal PCB Design Grid System: Author: MatthewLamkinSubject: The Universal PCB Desi... http://bit.ly/7rGOBO
ValorCompSys (Valor Comp. Systems) Mon, 21 Dec 2009 23:28:40 -0000
Professor Tom's Corner : The Universal PCB Design Grid System: Author: MatthewLamkinSubject: The Universal PCB Desi... http://bit.ly/7rGOBO
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Access2go - Information on access solutions, facilities and equipment that can be used by designers, developers and service providers to enhance independence for people with disabilities. Includes service delivery and building provisions to comply with the Disability Discrimination Act. (United Kingdom)
Meta Description: [ Gives information on disability access solutions, facilities and equipment for designers, developers and service providers to enhance independence for people with disabilities. ]

Accessibility Equipment Manufacturers Association (AEMA) - A non-profit, unincorporated association, formed in 1990 to meet the special needs of those involved with accessibility equipment, including the design, installation and maintenance of vertical, inclined and horizontal conveying systems which are used primarily to provide access and/or egress for physically challenged persons in public and residential environments.
Meta Description: [ AEMA is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the awareness, understanding and acceptance of accessibility equipment. ]

ADA Self-Evaluation Checklist for Hotels and Motels - Information and checklist for making facilities safe and accessible for those who are blind, blind-deaf, or visually impaired.
Meta Description: [ American Foundation for the Blind (AFB), a U.S. nonprofit organization enabling blind or visually impaired people to achieve equality and access. Provides information and referrals about living with visual impairment. Helen Keller devoted over 40 years of her life to AFB. ]

American Foundation For The Blind: ADA Self-Evaluation Checklist for Hotels and Motels - A checklist for making facilities safe and accessible for those who are blind, blind-deaf, or visually impaired.

Appliances for the Physically Limited - Recommended appliances for remodeling a home to make it accessible for the physically limited.
Meta Description: [ We are remodeling our home to make it accessible for the physically limited. What can you recommend in the way of appliances? ]

Archimedes Project - Seeks to promote equal access to information for individuals with disabilities by influencing the early design stages of tomorrow's computer-based technology.

Center for Inclusive Design and Environmental Access (IDEA) - University of Buffalo School of Architecture and Planning institute which conducts research, education and design projects on universal design and environmental access. Programs, publications, software, and related links provided.

Center for Universal Design - National research, information, and technical assistance center that evaluates, develops, and promotes universal design in housing, public and commercial facilities,and related products.
Meta Description: [ Main CUD web page ]

Centre for Accessible Environments - Information and training body on the accessibility of the built environment for disabled people. A registered United Kingdom charity.
Meta Description: [ CAE ]

Concrete Change - An international efort to make all home visitable. Provides detailed construction guidelines and cost estimates for barrier-free design in new homes.
Meta Description: [ Provides detailed construction guidelines and cost estimates for disability access in new homes. Suggests ways to encourage wheelchair accessable construction in all homes. ]

Design Linc - Products, technical information, government agencies, and other resources which can assist in designing the right environment for people with disabilities.
Meta Description: [ The Design Linc provides design tips, product information and other resources for people with disabilities and the elderly. ]

Home Modification Resource Center - Information and resources on home modification and universal design.

Industrial Designers Society of America - Universal design special interest section.

Information on ADA Signs for People Who Are Blind - Rules for ADA signs, tactile and Braille, visual, pictograms and Symbols of Accessibility. Verbal descriptions of graphic concepts. Explanation of typefaces and typography terms.
Meta Description: [ We are a one stop source for communications resources, especially accessible signs and wayfinding and communications consulting for people with disabilities. We offer ADA signs, and ADA sign manual, a Braille sign fabrication method, and other aids for building professionals and consumers. ]

Informed Consumer's Guide to Accessible Housing - Examines what accessible housing is, discusses the types of products available to achieve accessibility, and offers resources to assist in this endeavor.

National Center on Accessibility - Provides technical assistance to organizations of all sizes who are designing and retrofitting their leisure areas and programs for accessibility. The NCA conducts, promotes, and facilitates research on issues essential to accessibility. (Indiana)
Meta Description: [ The National Center on Accessibility is an organization committed to the full participation in parks, recreation, and tourism by people with disabilities. Through education, technical assistance, and research, we are committed to providing reliable and comprehensive services resulting in the dev... ]

National Center on Accessibility - Provides technical assistance to organizations of all sizes who are designing and retrofitting their leisure areas and programs for accessibility; conducts, promotes, and facilitates research on issues essential to accessibility; and conducts education programs at the Center and throughout the United States.
Meta Description: [ The National Center on Accessibility is an organization committed to the full participation in parks, recreation, and tourism by people with disabilities. Through education, technical assistance, and research, we are committed to providing reliable and comprehensive services resulting in the dev... ]

Project ACTION - Promotes cooperation between the disability community and transportation industry and enables improved access to transportation for people with disabilities and the provision of accurate and practical information to help transportation operators implement the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

404 Ron Gothberg Help Links - Dedicated to the general life enhancement for the elderly and those physically challenged by age, disability or other similar inconvenience, whether temporary or permanent.
Meta Description: [ Dedicated to the general life enhancement for the elderly and those physically challenged by age, disability or other similar inconvenience, whether temporary or permanent. ]

Social Design Notes: interface - A Web log of notes on resources on accessibility and design, politics and activism.
Meta Description: [ A collection of notes on society, activism, politics and design for print, video, the Web, transportation and the built environment. ]

United States Access Board - Independent federal agency whose primary mission is accessibility for people with disabilities.

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