Self-study module: Universal Design

This self-study module provides a mix of book chapters, digital talks and lectures, scientific papers, and a podcast on the general theme of Universal Design.

The module consists of 10 references of which you are to select the 5 you find most relevant and study the references at your own pace during Ideation.

You are encouraged to expand your investigations beyond the module, and to seek advice and inspiration from the peers and experts you meet during Ideation.

Universal design – introduction to a design principle that challenges the idea of being human

Reference: Ryhl, Camilla, Eiriksson, Marie, Overby Sørensen, René (2021) Universal design – introduction to a design principle that challenges the idea of being human. Universal Design Hub – Bevica Fonden.

Format: Text

Keywords: Concept, Principles, Goals, History, Ron Mace

Work load: 6 pages

Description: This article introduces the concept of Universal Design – its origins, scientific context, and application. It introduces the 7 key principles and 8 goals of Universal Design and exemplifies how they might be addressed in different areas of society.

Link: https://universaldesignhub.dk/wp-content/uploads/Universal-Design-Hub_Ryhl-C.-Eiriksson-M.-Overby-Soerensen-R.-2021-Universal-design_Eng-a.pdf

 

Two circles illustrating Universal design and accessibility

Universal design: an evolving paradigm

Reference: Ostroff, Elaine (2010) Universal design: an evolving paradigm. In: Universal Design Handbook. Preiser, Wolfgang & Ostroff, Elaine (eds.) New York: McGraw-Hill. Chapter 1, pp. 34-42.

Format: Text

Keywords: Introduction to Universal Design, Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), Historical and Cultural perspective

Work load: 10 pages

Description: Elaine Ostroff introduces Universal Design as an evolving paradigm and offers a historical and cultural perspective by placing Universal Design in different contexts such as Universal Design and Education, Universal Design and Business, Universal Design and Society.

Access: Can be retrieved from your educational library

 

UD Handbook

Principles of Universal Design

Reference: Story, Molly (2010) Principles of Universal Design. In: Universal Design Handbook, Edited by: Preiser, Wolfgang & Ostroff, Elaine. New York: McGraw-Hill. Chapter 4, pp. 58-67.

Format: Text

Keywords: The Principles of Universal Design, Contextual examples, Standards, Guidelines

Work load: 10 pages

Description: Molly Story introduces The Principles of Universal Design and exemplifies the use of the seven principles in various contexts as an attempt to articulate a concept that embraces human diversity and applies to all design disciplines.

Access: Can be retrieved from your educational library

UD Handbook

Accessibility, usability and universal design positioning and definition of concepts describing person-environment relationships

Reference: Iwarsson, Susanne & Ståhl, Agneta (2003) Accessibility, usability and universal design positioning and definition of concepts describing person-environment relationships, Disability & Rehabilitation, 25:2, 57 – 66.

Format: Text

Keywords: Accessibility, Usability, Method, Universal Design

Work load: 9 pages

Description: This paper introduces an instrumental, three-step definition to accessibility, emphasising that accessibility includes personal as well as environmental components. Suggesting the introduction of an activity component, accessibility is replaced by a more complex term, usability. Universal Design is highlighted as a more process-oriented but less stigmatising concept.

Link: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12554380/

Universal Design and disability: an interdisciplinary perspective

Reference: Lid, Inger Marie (2014) Universal Design and disability: an interdisciplinary perspective. Disability and Rehabilitation, 36:16, 1344-1349.

Format: Text

Keywords: Interdisciplinary Field of Knowledge, Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), Human Plurality

Work load: 6 pages

Description: This is a theoretical paper. It discusses the understanding of Universal Design as an interdisciplinary theme and the significance of Universal Design in research and teaching. The paper builds on literature and focuses on how to recognise Universal Design in interdisciplinary contexts.

Link: https://doi.org/10.3109/09638288.2014.931472

Universal Design

Reference: Ryhl, Camilla (2022) Universal Design. Universal Design Hub – Bevica Fonden.

Format: Video

Keywords: Concept, History, Inclusion, Disability

Work load: 3 minutes

Description: This video briefly summarizes the fundamentals of Universal Design. It examines the applicability of Universal Design and how it encompasses all aspects of our life. Ultimately, Universal design is a value-based design principle that ensures equal and inclusive solutions for all – regardless of abilities.

Link: https://universaldesignhub.dk/universal-design/

Play Video

Doing Dis/ability and Architecture Differently

Reference: Boys, Jos (2016) Doing Dis/ability and Architecture Differently? AA School of Architecture.

Format: Video

Keywords: Perspectives on disability, Architecture, Gender, Understanding of normal

Work load: 1 hour 28 minutes

Description: In this video, Jos Boys discusses what can happen to architecture and its practices when ‘normal’ (and normative) assumptions about disability and ability are creatively and critically challenged. The video investigates our perceptions of normalcy, disability, and ability in the context of architecture.

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D9STKEmiMe0

Play Video

An inclusive human view in design and architecture

Reference: The Royal Danish Academy (2022) An inclusive human view in design and architecture.

Format: Video

Keywords: Architecture, Design, Inclusion, Diversity, Co-creation

Work load: 6 minutes

Description: This video showcases how The Royal Danish Academy integrates Universal Design into their teaching and research as a lever for the Leave No One Behind agenda, and a general action of an inclusive view of humanity. It exemplifies how people of different capabilities may be included into design processes and how this inclusive approach can add quality and depth to the final design.

Link: https://www.bevica.dk/partnerskaber/universelt-design-og-tilgaengelighed-for-alle/

Play Video

Nordisk kongres i Synspædagogik: Universelt design

Reference: Institut for Blinde og Svagsynede (2022) Blind Lyd – Podcast: 1. Nordisk kongres i Synspædagogik: Universelt design.

Format: Podcast

Keywords: Accessibility, Principles, View of humanity, Sustainable Development Goals

Work load: 33 minutes

Description: In this podcast episode, Research Director at Bevica Fonden, Camilla Ryhl, gives a lecture on Universal Design. She describes how Universal Design can be understood as a value-based principle, as a process tool or as a solution. She also argues for the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in Universal Design.

Link: https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-65mkw-12dad45

Transcription of podcast: https://view.officeapps.live.com/op/view.aspx?src=https%3A%2F%2Fibos.dk%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2022%2F10%2FTransskribering-af-NKS-podcastserie_10.10.22.docx&wdOrigin=BROWSELINK

TEDxSydney: Designing for Function and Universal Access

Reference: Houbolt, Sarah (2017) TEDxSydney: Designing for Function and Universal Access. TEDx Talk.

Format: Video

Keywords: Human value, Human needs, User involvement, Accessibility, Innovation

Work load: 12 minutes

Description: In this TEDx Talk, Sara Houbolt argues how her experiences as visually impaired has taught her a bodily way to be with other people as an equal and valued contributor to space. She argues for the value of user involvement and co-creation in design processes and points out how we ought to “focus on fixing the environment first – rather than fixing our bodily experience of the world” – since, “integrating accessibility into the design process always leads to innovation”.

Link: https://youtu.be/DRWgQrd7y2c

Play Video about TedTalk