Universal Design properties are designed to be adaptable in future to accommodate people with physical disabilities, and include features such as:
Universal design principles checklist
• Equitable Use: The design is useful and marketable to people with diverse abilities. • Flexibility in Use: The design accommodates a wide range of individual preferences and abilities. • Simple and Intuitive Use: Use of the design is easy to understand, regardless of the user’s experience, knowledge, language skills, or current concentration level. • Perceptible Information: The design communicates necessary information effectively to the user, regardless of ambient conditions or the user’s sensory abilities. • Tolerance for Error: The design minimizes hazards and the adverse consequences of accidental or unintended actions. • Low Physical Effort: The design can be used efficiently and comfortably and with a minimum of fatigue. • Size and Space for Approach and Use: Appropriate size and space is provided for approach, reach, manipulation, and use regardless of user’s body size, posture or mobility.
Universal Design
Universal design is an approach to achieve the goals of the design principles:
‘Universal Design’ principles are to be used in the planning and design of all Housing Choices projects including buildings, community spaces and transport linkages.
Body fit
accommodating a wide a range of body sizes and abilities. keeping demands within desirable limits of strength and stamina. ensuring that critical information for use is easily perceived. making methods of operation and use intuitive, clear and unambiguous.
Comfort
Universal design places human diversity at the heart of the design process so that buildings and environments are designed to meet the needs of all users. The objective of universal design is to ensure that all people can access, use and understand the environment to the greatest extent and in the most independent and natural manner possible, without the need for adaptations or specialised solutions. Universal design is a process that enables and empowers a diverse population by improving human performance, health and wellness, and social participation. Given the wide diversity of the population, a universal design approach that caters for the broadest range of users from the outset will result in buildings and places that can be easily used by everyone. This approach eliminates or reduces the need for expensive changes or retro fits to meet the needs of particular groups at a later stage.
Awareness
Understanding
Social integration
treating all groups with dignity and respect.
Personalization
incorporating opportunities for choice and the expression of individual preferences.
Cultural appropriateness
respecting and reinforcing positive cultural values.
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Housing Choices Australia | Design Guidelines
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