A Practitioner's Universal Design Approach Making a Difference to Distressed Assets in Sri Lanka

<p class="Abstract"><em>City Parks in terms of social functions can be used as a place for social interaction, a means for sports, play and recreation. As a public facility, city parks must accommodate all groups of people, ranging from normal people, children, disabled people and the elderly. One way to provide facilities for all visitors is to apply universal design principles. Universal design aims to facilitate everyone's life through the creation of products, the built environment and communication to be used by as many people as possible and provide added value for everyone. The purpose of this study is to examine the implementation of universal design principles in Taman Samarendah.The location of the study was in Taman Samarendah, using a descriptive qualitative research method. Seven principles of universal design and Permen PUPR No.14/PRT/2017 becomes the guideline and standardization in this study. The results of this study indicate that Samarendah Park has not fully applied the universal design principles and accessibility standards. The most universal principles of design that are not applied are the principle of tolerance for error and the principle of low physical effort. The principle that is most widely applied is the size and space for approach. </em></p>

Other research has established seven UD principles and performance measures for the design and assessment of generic products. The objective of this research is to improve the suitability of UD for flexible packaging. The methodology used here begins by creating customer requirements from UD performance measures and packaging functions from JIS S 0022‐4. The authors propose a correlation matrix to discard uncorrelated, duplicated and irrelevant requirements from the list of requirements. The remaining customer requirements are screened by using the Index of Consistency. Then, experts check and add essential customer requirements. A factor analysis is conducted on the survey data to find the important requirements and eliminate uncorrelated requirements. The number of customer requirements is reduced from 261 to 39 with five principles corresponding to UD. The five principles relevant to UD are (a) convenient, intuitive and simple use; (b) perceptible information; (c) structure and graphic design; (d) easy opening; and (e) equitable use. The benefit of the new five principles is not only the reduction from seven principles to five principles, but also the grouped customer requirements that are easy to use for packaging manufacturers and packaging designers. Customer requirements can be used as performance measures to evaluate the compliance of flexible packaging to UD. Finally, the application of the five principles and 39 customer requirements are demonstrated with case studies. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

PurposeDisabled children often face problems when utilising public playgrounds, participating in activities and enjoying the areas due to insufficient equipment and bespoke spaces for their needs. This paper compares the values perceived by children with and without a disability of playgrounds in urban areas, considering user-centred design (UCD) and universal design (UD) principles.Design/methodology/approachThis study examined the extent to which the children’s playground in a selected case study, Lake Titiwangsa Park, Kuala Lumpur, has incorporated the UD principle and designed ergonomics in the planning and designing of the play equipment to support children with various abilities with different disabilities ranging in age from 3 to 10. The study conducted site observations, such as facility measurement according to UCD and UD principles and ergonomic assessment with photographic documentation, at Lake Titiwangsa Park playground. Semi-structured interviews with 11 children’s playground design experts involving landscape designers and policymakers were also undertaken. The photographic documentation was analysed descriptively, and semi-structured interviews were thematically analysed.FindingsThe results of photographic documentation indicated that despite the effort to incorporate the UCD and UD principles, the selected site was unsuccessful in supporting children with physical disabilities due to poor layout, lack of assistive features and limited application of universal design principles with different abilities. The interview results ascertained that this was due to poor knowledge among designers and policymakers of UCD and UD principles and their lack of proper understanding of children with physical disabilities’ needs.Originality/valueThis paper contributes by raising awareness among designers and policymakers about UCD and UD principles as a way forward to enhance the development of facilities for people with special needs in the future.

The study presents an analysis of two versions of a car rental website’s graphical interface in terms of usability and accessibility. a literature review was conducted to clarify concepts such as universal design, usability, and user experience. Two types of the car rental website were developed: one adhering to universal design principles and the other not considering these principles. The research employed tools such as WAVE, surveys, the LUT checklist, and an eye tracker. Metrics like time to first fixation and user ratings were analyzed. The experiments demonstrated that the website following universal design principles is more intuitive and user-friendly. Heatmaps and gaze paths illustrate that the version developed according to universal design principles significantly facilitates users in finding the information they need. Survey results proved that users rate websites developed according to universal design principles significantly

In a rapidly growing information-oriented society, people with disabilities and older people are faced with serious inconveniences in accessing IT products due to complicated use of technologies and poorly designed interfaces. To solve the problems, it is required for designers and engineers to find out and understand user needs, and then to figure out the functionalities and design characteristics to meet the needs. Figuring out the Engineering Characteristics (EC) of products from user needs for people with disabilities and older people who have problems using main stream products due to limited accessibility would take great efforts and time. We merged two important concepts of product design for people with disabilities and older people, accessibility and universal design, using an engineering design framework of QFD (Quality Function Deployment) to provide engineers and designers with a systematic methodology for universal product design. We adapted a technical report from the ISO/IEC JTC1 Special Working Group on Accessibility (SWG-A), the Information Technology – Accessibility Considerations for People with Disabilities – Part 1: User Needs Summary (ISO/IEC PDTR 99999-1), and mapped the detailed user accessibility needs to the guidelines of 7 universal design principles which are widely accepted. We explained how a process model was built for mapping relationship between the guidelines and user accessibility needs, and extracting the critical engineering characteristics for IT product design based on these two models. A model House of Quality(HOQ) was built for such procedures.KeywordsUniversal design processUser needsQuality Function Deployment (QFD)design guidelinesISO/IEC PDTR 99999-1

The concept of “Universal Design” is to design products that are easy to use for everyone. With the rapid increase of the elderly population in the world, the principle of “Universal Design” has become one of the essential knowledges and design considerations for designers. The physical and mental decline of the elderly makes it difficult for them to use traditional chopsticks. The purpose of this research is to use the principle of “universal design” to design a set of auxiliary chopsticks for the elderly. First of all, this study found out the problems of using chopsticks for the elderly. Then, through expert focus group interviews and morphological analysis, the characteristics and functional requirements of chopsticks were summarized. The authors conceived creative ideas and made evaluation prototypes. The new chopsticks have passed two-stage assessment of elderly subjects. In all 7 universal design principles, the evaluation of auxiliary chopsticks is superior to that of traditional chopsticks. Further research may be needed to make improvements.KeywordsUniversal designSenior living aidsAuxiliary chopsticks

This article discusses the design of data collection instruments that include the opinions of blind students, in accordance with the principles of Universal Design (UD). The aim of this study is to understand the importance of adapting data collection instruments for the inclusion of disabled persons in field research in Architecture and Design, among other fields. The data collection instruments developed were a play interview with a tactile map and a 3D survey with the use of tactile models. These instruments sought to assess the school environment experienced by blind students. The study involved students from the early years of a school for the blind who had not yet mastered the Braille system. The participation of these students was evaluated. A multidisciplinary team consisting of architects, designers, educators, and psychologists lent support to the study. The results showed that the data collection instruments adapted to blind students were successful in making the group of authors examine questions regarding UD. An analysis of the participatory phase showed that the limitations resulting from blindness determine the specificities in the adaptation and implementation process of the instruments in schools. Practical recommendations for future studies related to instruments in the UD thematic are presented. This approach is in line with the global trend of including disabled persons in society based on these users’ opinions concerning what was designed by architects and designers.

This article focuses on the current problem of insufficient accessibility of public and residential spaces for people with disabilities. The urgency of the problem is emphasized, examples of various barriers that people with disabilities encounter in everyday life and when trying to participate in the life of the state are given. The issues of accessibility of public spaces and residential buildings for people with disabilities, ensuring universal design of buildings and structures are considered. The need for universal design of buildings and structures is substantiated, because barrier-free interaction of citizens, ensured by universality, is one of the main drivers of the development of society and the state. It is emphasized that the creation of public spaces where more segments of the population come into contact with each other, regardless of the presence or absence of disability, gender, age, race, will ensure the destruction of outdated and frankly harmful stigmas and stereotypes. This will help in the “gentle” dissemination of truthful information and advice on interacting with people with various types of disabilities. The principles of universal design of buildings and structures are considered. The difference between universality in the design of spaces and the provision of smart adaptations is shown. The importance of the “third space” for a healthy life and human development is noted and the need to create such comfortable offline spaces for socialization and recreation of the public is emphasized. Attention is focused on the importance of such a phenomenon as the social responsibility of architects and society. Examples of state control over the creation of projects taking into account the principles of universal design are given. Various innovative methods of encouraging architects and customers to place orders and create inclusive interior and exterior designs are proposed. The emphasis is on the need to arrange spaces for private and public life and development in compliance with the principles of universality.

People access the streets to fulfill their daily demands regardless of their gender, age, and abilities. The streetscape is an urban public space which built to facilitate the basic needs of people as social beings. Universal design accommodates the wide range of human diversity in physical appearance, perception, cognitive abilities, body sizes, and shapes. By designing for this diversity, the streetscapes are becoming more user friendly, functional and sustainable. The purpose of this study is to suggest streetscape design guideline based on universal design principles for giving proper directions of sustainable streets development. Literatures study and cases study were used as research methods. The findings indicated that the new guideline based on universal design can be suggested to streetscapes design directions on many countries.

In the field of interior design, creating inclusive and engaging spaces is crucial. Universal Design (UD) and multisensory are supportive approaches that can work together to achieve this, however there is a lack of studies on the importance of universal design within the Malaysian interior design industry and its relationship with multisensory in buildings. UD emphasizes building environments that are practical and accessible to everyone, while multisensory highlights the significance of engaging all senses according to the principles of sensory design. Hence, the impact of multisensory on universal design in creating inclusive and accessible interior design will be discussed in this research. While compassionate design practices mediate the relationship between the principles of universal design and the principles of sensory design, this study has two objectives: To identify the necessity of implementing universal design in different types of buildings; and, to investigate the interaction between multisensory and universal design to promote compassionate design practices. Data was gathered through questionnaires given to people in the built environment industry. It is expected that different types of buildings have varying priorities for sensory aspects, and the integration of UD and multisensory design is both important and impactful.

Equality for persons with disabilities is part of human rights that must be guaranteed by the state. The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which has been ratified by Indonesia through Law Number 19 of 2011, emphasizes the importance of applying Universal Design principles in creating an inclusive environment for persons with disabilities. This research aims to analyze the extent to which Universal Design principles have been implemented in policies and regulations in Indonesia. Using a normative juridical method through legislative and conceptual approaches, this research examines various regulations related to accessibility and the rights of persons with disabilities and compares them with international standards. The findings show that regulations in Indonesia still place Universal Design as a mere technical aspect, not as part of the fundamental rights that the state must guarantee. As a result, accessibility for persons with disabilities in public spaces, including places of worship, is still not optimal. This study confirms the need for a more comprehensive policy reformulation so that Universal Design is recognized as a human right in the Indonesian legal system. In conclusion, without significant changes in regulations and policies, the implementation of Universal Design in Indonesia will remain partial and not fully support the realization of equality for persons with disabilities.

While Universal Design principles have been adopted in many areas to ensure that products and services are usable for the broadest possible diversity of users, there is still an open area when it comes to the emergency management domain. This article aims at providing a systematic overview of the current state of the emerging research field of Universal Design of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) for Emergency Management, and to highlight high-impact research opportunities to ensure that the increasing introduction of ICT in Emergency Management can contribute to removing barriers instead of adding more barriers, in particular for the elderly and people with disabilities. A systematic review on relevant literature on Universal Design, ICT and Emergency Management between 2008 and 2020 was employed using predefined frameworks, to answer the following questions: (1) Who are the target audiences (stakeholders) in research on Universal Design of ICT in Emergency Management in the different categories of Emergency Management ICT tools, and to what degree is Human-Centred Design and Universal Design taken into account? (2) What are the most important challenges and gaps in research on Universal Design of ICT in Emergency Management? We identify a set of gaps in the literature, indicating that there are some challenges where Universal Design is still limitedly addressed in technology development. We also derive promising future research topics based on areas that are missing in the literature.

Purpose: The number of the transportation poor has been steadily increased, and also the social perspective toward the disabled has been changed. Thus, Universal Design has been needed. In particular, the unknown majority of the transportation poor have frequently used the urban railway facilities which should reflect the ideals and principles of Universal Design. However, previous research has not focused on the study on critical factors of Universal Design. Based on this observation, the present study aims to find out Universal Design critical factors of urban railway station. Methods: This study explores the criteria of planning Universal Design in the urban railway station by analyzing and comparing the similar criteria used in both domestic areas and foreign countries. Result: Findings from this study are as follows. First, we found out the critical factors of Universal Design in the urban railway station by comparing and analyzing the similar criteria previously used. Second, this study also suggests the better directions toward the domestic criteria relating to the urban railway system. Third, we found the need of the universal standard as well as individually corresponding strategy. Moreover, we found the need of preparing the critical factors for the physical environments as well as the human service. Implications: The further research on findings of the planning criteria will have been continued on the basis of findings of the present study.

본 연구는 유니버설디자인의 평가방법에 AHP 기법을 적용한 연구이다. 유니버설디자인의 평가지표는 유니버설디자인의 7원칙과 일본 트라이포드 디자인사의 PPP를 검토하고, 선행연구를 참조하여 대상평가지표를 선정하였다. 선정된 평가지표는 AHP기법을 사용하여 분석하였으며, 유니버설디자인 7요소의 가중치가 도출되었다. 유니버설디자인의 중요성을 평가하는 요인으로서 '쉽게 인지할 수 있는 정보'(0.263)가 가장 중요하게 나왔으며, '오류에 대한 포용력'(0.207), '간단하고 직관적인 사용'(0.154), '적은 물리적 노력'(0.143)순으로 나타났다. '접근과 사용을 위한 크기와 공간'(0.108)이 이어서 중요하다고 나타난 반면 '공평한 사용'(0.087), '사용상의 융통성'(0.038)은 상대적으로 중요도가 낮은 것으로 나타났다. 본 연구결과를 토대로 가중치가 반영된 유니버설디자인의 평가 체크리스트를 제안하였으며, 가중치를 구하는 과정을 토대로 다양한 상황 하에서의 가중치 부여를 시도할 수 있을 것이다. This paper is about a the evaluation method for universal design on AHP method. Evaluation of Universal Design to develop indicators of the seven principles of universal design and the tripod of Design(in Japan) Review of the PPP, and previous studies were chosen with reference to a indicators. Selected variables were analyzed using the AHP technique, Universal Design 7 elements were derived weights. Factor of the most important on universal design is 'Perceptible Information'(0.263), and 'Tolerance for Error'(0.207), 'Simple and Intuitive Use'(0.154), 'Low Physical Effort'(0.143) was in order. 'Size & Space for Approach and Use'(0.108) is then shown to be important, while the 'Equitable Use'(0.087), 'Flexibility in Use'(0.038) was rated relatively low importance. Based on the results reflected a weighted evaluation of universal design checklist is proposed. Process to obtain the weights can be applied to a variety of situations.

In 1998 Molly Follette Story, James Mueller and Roland Mace published the book The Universal Design File; that can be considered the result of a long way, started by Mace in 1985, towards a design approach based on the principles of Universal Design. In 2010 the Centre for Active Design publishes the Active Design Guidelines: Promoting Physical Activity and Health in Design. Between these two milestones, this article offers some ideas about the evolution of the universal approach to design. Assuming that Universal Design approach can present limits, this article aims to reflect on the relationship between universal and particular in developing a theoretical approach to architecture and design, supporting the idea that the wide gray area of the population who need specific access solutions can find answers to their needs only through successive adjustments, time by time plugged on universal solutions. This implies a process of requirement-based retrofitting of existing spaces and goods, to get qualities or perfecting performances otherwise inadequate. From this perspective the project for accessibility should be seen as a never ending process, and not a fix and final product, and Universal Design should be considered as a methodological approach ideally tending towards accessibility as a goal. Having this in mind, the article explores the issues related to how to blend universal and particular in a human centred design strategy, how to combine design actions and awareness by the users to allow an effective mutual adaptation between people and their living environment. The article aims to be further food for thought regarding research to be implemented in future works.