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More than 5 million Californians have some form of a disability, including limited mobility, vision or hearing. However, millions of others also have special needs due to their age, height, weight, or temporary disability from injury or illness. With this in mind, it is not the minority but rather the majority of Californians who have special needs due to varying limitations.
While society has become more aware of the importance of addressing an individual’s special needs, problems still arise concerning access to products, technology, buildings, and facilities, among others. One answer is to individually manufacture and design products to accommodate each consumer’s specific needs – this is known as "accessible design."
Examples of accessible design include:
The form of manufacturing can be time and cost prohibitive. An alternative is to develop a product that meets everyone’s needs or adjusts to each person. This is known as "universal design." Unlike accessible design that requires separate facilities and products for people with disabilities, universal design is totally inclusive and considers the needs of the total population in developing products and facilities.
"Universal design is an approach to design that acknowledges the changes by everyone during his or her lifetime. It considers children, the elderly, people who are tall or short, and those with various disabilities. It addresses the life span of human beings beyond the mythical ‘average’ person." - Gordon Mansfield, former Chair, Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board.
Universal design is not an identifiable architectural or design style. Rather, it is a way of thinking about the design process and how it can provide comfort and convenience for all people while still maintaining aesthetic appeal.
By addressing the limitations of all people in the design of everyday products and building spaces, we can make products and structures accessible and safer for everyone to use, thereby making them more marketable and commercially viable.
Examples of Universal Design:
Design Element: Round doorknobs
Problem: Not usable by people with limited use of their hands.
Solution: Lever handles provide accessibility to a much larger percentage of the population.
Design Element: Narrow doorways
Problem: Wheelchair access
Solution: Make doorways wider and easier for everyone to enter a room.
Design Element: Elevators
Problem: Buttons not always accessible
Solution:Instructions and floor numbers provided in Braille, plus visual floor displays and audio call outs of the floor and the direction the elevator is traveling.
Design Element: Light Switches
Problem: Often placed too high for people in wheelchairs or of short stature.
Solution: Locate light switches lower.
Design Element: Televisions
Problem: May not be accessible to people who are deaf or who do not speak English.
Solution: Include the ability to have closed captioning in multiple languages.
Design Element: Household appliances
Problem: May be hard to use for people with limited mobility or dexterity.
Solution:Develop remote controls for operating appliances.
The AT Network wants to ensure that every product and facility is accessible for all Californians. The organization’s first goal is to make information about universal design readily available to consumers. Specifically, the AT Network will work with developers and manufacturers to stress both consumer need and demand for universal design. The AT Network will continue to be a catalyst for change by educating the public about and promoting the use of assistive technology. In addition to its broad-based public awareness campaign, the AT Network will provide information and training about the availability and use of assistive technology, and its leadership will advocate for legislation and funding to ensure that this important issue receives the support it.
The AT Network recognizes the importance and the benefits of universal design, especially as it helps everyone live better and more comfortable lives. Universal design helps Californians communicate more effectively and increases their mobility by making all products and facilities available and more useful, despite an individual’s limitations.
The AT Network will continue to be a catalyst for change by educating the public about and promoting the use of assistive technology. In addition to its broad-based public awareness campaign, the AT Network will provide information and training about the availability and use of assistive technology, and its leadership will advocate for legislation and funding to ensure that this important issue receives the support it.
The AT Network is dedicated to protecting the rights of our consumers and allowing them to remain independent in the community. If you have a question, concern, or a story to share with us then please don't hesitate to contact us:
Toll-Free: 800-390-2699
TTY: 800-900-0706
E-mail: info@atnet.org
Philip’s ability to independently control his power wheelchair has helped build a level of self-confidence and awareness. It affects how he sees himself, and how the world sees him. “When Philip is out in his chair people recognize his intellectual abilities; they see him differently.”
-Phillip's Mom
