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North Brunswick St.,
Dublin 7,
Ireland.
Tel. 01 8730455
01 8730986
Fax: 01 8730998
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Universal Design
Items that are usable by most people regardless of their level of ability or disability can be considered universally usable. Many accessible and adaptable features are universally usable. For example, round door knobs are not usable by people with limited use of their hands, but lever handles which are readily available in all price ranges, styles and colours are usable by almost everyone, including people who have no hands.
Some items are made more universally usable by their placement. Universal design addresses the scope of accessibility and suggests making all elements and spaces accessible to and usable by all people to the greatest extent possible. This is accomplished through thoughtful planning and design at all stages of any design project. It need not increase costs or result in special, clinical or different looking facilities.
Universal design requires an understanding and consideration of the broad range of human abilities throughout the lifespan. Creative application of that knowledge results in products, buildings and facilities that are usable by most people regardless of their level of ability or disability. Basically, the philosophy behind housing for disabled people should not only be to provide adequate shelter, but also to provide accommodation where a person can participate actively and fully in social life within the limits of his/her ability and his/her own aspirations.