Universal design: A guide for equality and social participation

Abstract

Universal design (UD) is a political strategy and a process based on the values of equity and equal opportunities for participation in society. Emphasis is placed on the design of products, programmes, services, and environment to meet human diversity; that is, people with different qualities, abilities, and impairments. This paper’s focus is primarily on UD in relation to disability, but the concept has a much broader implication, for example for elderly people with typical mobility and sensory restrictions, parents with strollers, people who have reading difficulties, do not speak the native language or are simply in a hurry. Initially, the emphasis of UD was first and foremost directed at the physical context, especially the built environment. Increasingly, attention has been focused on aspects within the social and cultural environment, such as attitudes, services, policies, and procedures. The effects of barriers in the physical and social environment are often intertwined, as disabled people typically feel unwelcome if the built environment is inaccessible or if it requires an enormous amount of effort, time, or energy to move around and partake in activities that people find important. In the last few years, the literature has placed greater emphasis on the usability of the environment, products and, services; that is, whether or not the environment can be used effectively, efficiently, and in a satisfactory manner. This focus on usability demonstrates the person-environment interaction and the importance that social and psychological aspects have on the experience of disability within a specific context. Still, a higher priority of the usability aspect is needed in the implementation of UD since the experience of accessibility is always personal.

Recently, a human rights perspective has characterized the discussion of the concept of UD, and with the implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), the Icelandic government has indeed affirmed its support for a universal design policy and implementation in Icelandic society. There is considerable agreement between the capabilities approach and the human rights and relations perspectives of disability that characterize CRPD, focusing on the material, economic, social, and institutional barriers that create and recreate disabilities and make it difficult for disabled people to lead good lives. Most of such barriers are man-made and can be removed to better enable people to act in line with their wishes and needs. These and related theoretical aspects are addressed in this paper as they relate to UD. In this regard, we highlight the writings of prominent scholars in the field, such as the Norwegian scholar Inger-Marie Lid. We also stress the importance of UD as a policy and implementation. Although standards and guidelines are important in implementing UD, they are not sufficient as such. Increased knowledge, a change of mindset and a holistic approach is needed, as it is crucial to address attitudes and procedures and to unravel how to establish effective working methods for the implementation of UD. Users’ involvement in discussions and decision-making in the UD process is of utmost importance, such as regarding what to do, when, and how, as well as in evaluating the outcomes.

In this paper, we also draw upon and discuss examples from our own research findings in connection with UD. Those examples are based on: a) the experiences of disabled children and youth, b) the experiences of people with mobility impairments, and c) analysis of policy documents affecting public transportation and buildings in Iceland. The examples show multiple hindrances disabled people encounter in their daily lives, and highlight the inequalities they face when it is impossible for them to partake in society like other people. Many of those issues could be rectified with increased awareness and implementation of UD values.