Principles of Universal Design
"Some people think design means how it looks. But of course, if you
dig deeper, it's really how it works." - Steve Jobs
Equitable Use
Design provides same or equivalent utility to all users with diverse abilities
Perceptible Information
Design presents critical information in multiple ways to ensure users with diverse sensory abilities can interact with the product
Size & Space for
Approach & Use
Design accommodates users with various sizes, statures, and personal or assistive devices
Flexibility in Use
Design accommodates a user's preference for use; facilitates accuracy and precision
Tolerance for Error
Design reduces potential for accidents and/or errors by providing warning to the user and/or incorporating fail safe features (ex: "undo")
Simple & Intuitive Use
Design reduces unnecessary complexity by providing prompts/feedback and accommodating for diverse literacy and language skills
Low Physical Effort
Design minimizes physical force and repetitive motions required for operation
Center for Universal Design, College of Design, North Carolina State University
Bettye Rose Connell, Mike Jones, Ron Mace, Jim Mueller, Abir Mullick, Elaine Ostroff, Jon Sanford, Ed Steinfeld, Molly Story, and Gregg Vanderheiden
“The essence of universal design lies in its ability to create beauty and mediate extremes without destroying differences in places, experiences, and things” - Bill Stumpf and Don Chadwick