Preiser W., Smith K.H. Universal Design Handbook
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31.8 PUBLIC SPACES, PRIVATE SPACES, PRODUCTS, AND TECHNOLOGIES
31.10 CONCLUSION
In contrast to mass transport systems (see Chap. 19), automobile design can change rapidly because
of the “loose fit” between vehicles and the highway infrastructure. The marketing focus of auto-
mobile design is a means for introducing innovation in universal design. There is clearly a move
in the industry to address the purchasing power of the aging baby boomer generation in industrial-
ized countries. The initial focus appears to be on the easy problems of interior styling and features.
Hopefully attention will shift to some of the more important and difficult issues, where usability
conflicts with structural, aerodynamic, and styling concerns. For example, the older generation
would be well served by vehicles that have low floors but high roofs and high seats. However, this
combination provides neither a sleek, sporty appearance nor a tough, off-road look, two of the most
popular styles of the times.
Of particular concern for the future is the rapid introduction of new technologies. Many early
information and telecommunications products do not demonstrate a universal design philosophy. If
the designers and manufacturers of these new technologies incorporated more universal design strat-
egies, these new products would likely be safer and easier to use for the whole consumer population.
Clearly, there are new products that can have significant benefits to the driver with a disability or
simply an older person seeking to continue driving safely for as long as possible.
31.11 ACKNOWLEDGMENT
This work is based on work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. EEEC-
0540865.
31.12 BIBLIOGRAPHY
Block, D., “A Well-Suited Approach to Auto Design for Older Drivers,” Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Jan. 24, 1999.
Cushman, L., R. Good, R. Annechiarico, and J. States, “Effect of Safety Belt Usage on Injury Patterns of
Hospitalized and Fatally Injured Drivers 55+,” in 34th Annual Proceedings, Scottsdale, Ariz.: Association for
the Advancement of Automotive Medicine, 1990.
Hakamies-Blomqvist, L., “Research on Older Drivers: A Review,” International Association of Traffic and Safety
Sciences (IATSS) Research, 20:91–101, 1996.
James, G., “Problems Experienced by Disabled and Elderly People Entering and Leaving Cars,” Transport
and Road Research Laboratory Research Report, Loughborough, U.K.: Institute for Consumer Ergonomics,
Loughborough University, 1985.
Katz, S., J. Fleming, P. Green, D. Hunter, and D. Damouth, “On-the-Road Human Factors Evaluation of the
Ali-Scout Navigation System,” Technical Report UMTRI-96-31, Ann Arbor: The University of Michigan
Transportation Research Institute, 1997.
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, “Vehicle Backover Avoidance Technology Study—Report to
Congress,” Washington: U.S. Department of Transportation, November 2006.
Owsley, C., and K. Ball, “Assessing Visual Function in the Older Driver,” Clinics in Geriatric Medicine, 9:
389–401, 1993.
Parker, J., “Innovative Designs Help Aging Baby Boomers and Motorists with Disabilities Drive with Ease,”
Detroit Free Press, Dec. 9, 1999.
Schieber, F., “Beyond TRB 218: Older Driver Research since 1988,” Draft USD Technical Report, commissioned
by Transportation Research Board Committee A3T66, 1999.
Steinfeld, A., D. Manes, P. Green, and D. Hunter, “Destination Entry and Retrieval with the Ali-Scout Navigation System,”
Technical Report UMTRI-96-30, Ann Arbor: The University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute, 1996.
Steinfeld, E., M. Tomita, W. Mann, and W. DeGlopper, “Use of Passenger Vehicles by Older People with
Disabilities,” Occupational Therapy Journal of Research, 19(3):155–186, 1999.
UNIVERSAL DESIGN OF AUTOMOBILES 31.9
Sumie, M., C. Li, and P. Green, “Usability of Menu-Based Interfaces for Motor Vehicle Secondary Functions,”
Technical Report UMTRI-97-19, Ann Arbor: The University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute, 1998.
Tufano, D., “Automotive HUDs: The Overlooked Safety Issues,” Human Factors, 39: 303–311, 1997.
Vehicle Production Group; http://www.vpgautos.com/. Accessed Sept. 14, 2009.
Waller, P., “The Older Driver,” Human Factors, 33:499–505, 1991.
Ward, N. J., and S. Hirst, “An Exploratory Investigation of Display Information Attributes of Reverse/Parking
Aids,” International Journal of Vehicle Design, 19:41–49, 1998.
Ziebart, B. D., A. Maas, A. K. Dey, and J. A. Bagnell, “Navigate Like a Cabbie: Probabilistic Reasoning from
Observed Context-Aware Behavior,” International Conference on Ubiquitous Computing, Seoul, Korea:
Association for Computing Machinery, 2008.
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CHAPTER 32
UNIVERSAL DESIGN
OF PRODUCTS
Molly Follette Story and James L. Mueller
32.1 INTRODUCTION
The term products describes a wide range of objects, from the tiny (e.g., hearing aids) to the very
large (e.g., recreational vehicles). In this chapter, products can be defined as encompassing objects
that can be found
• In the home (e.g., appliances, furniture, cabinetry)
• At work (e.g., office furniture, equipment, tools)
• In public spaces (e.g., elevators, vending machines, restroom fixtures)
While each product presents its own unique challenges, many of the issues of universal usability are
common across environments and applications. This chapter discusses universal design of products
and clarifies the similarities and differences between assistive technology and universal design.
32.2 DEFINING UNIVERSAL DESIGN
“Universal design is the design of all products and environments to be usable by people of all ages and
abilities, to the greatest extent possible.” (Mace et al., 1991)
While this definition makes universal design an unattainable goal, it remains an ideal well worth
striving to achieve. Universal design accommodates the range of variation inherent in diverse popu-
lations and varied circumstances. Variations in functional characteristics can happen to anyone at
any point in life, e.g., as a result of illness, injury, or aging. In addition, functional limitations can be
caused by situation and environment. Noisy environments impair anyone’s hearing; darkness impairs
anyone’s vision; and having the flu reduces anyone’s stamina.
Only someone who has personally experienced disability can fully understand the challenges
of living with a disability in a world designed for the most part as if such persons did not exist.
However, individuals without disabilities can get a modicum of first-hand knowledge by participat-
ing in exercises that simulate the effects of having a functional limitation. For example:
• Zip up your jacket—with one hand.
• Carry on a conversation—while a train goes by next to you.
• Count the money in your wallet—in the dark.
32.1
32.2 PUBLIC SPACES, PRIVATE SPACES, PRODUCTS, AND TECHNOLOGIES
• Write your name using your nondominant hand—and then ask someone else to read your
signature.
• Read the instructions for your new VCR—in another language.
These situations point out that unusual circumstances can cause functional limitations that make
even common, simple tasks difficult for persons of average abilities. Everyone who lives long
enough will experience situations like these—at least sometimes, at least temporarily, and often,
eventually, permanently.
The U.S. Department of Education’s National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research
(NIDRR) recognized this in the paradigm of disability it published in its long-range plan of 1998
(National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research, 1999). In the plan, they postulated that
disability is not a personal trait but rather a characteristic of the complex and dynamic relationship
between an individual and his or her environment. NIDRR’s paradigm built on the growing apprecia-
tion of the impact that the environment has in enabling or disabling individuals, and the shift from
the rehabilitation/medical model of care that focused on treating only the person to the independent
living model that emphasizes societal factors. This approach depends on personal conditions as well
as environmental and programmatic attributes, and it has significant implications for designers, busi-
nesses, and governments, which should anticipate and accommodate a wider diversity of individuals
than they typically do.
Traditionally, the needs of individuals with disabilities have been addressed by providing assis-
tive technologies. These devices are designed for populations with specific functional, sensory, or
cognitive limitations, and generally the technologies are neither useful for nor appealing to other
users.
The quality that makes the critical difference between successful universal design for diverse user
populations and assistive technology for limited populations is integration of the accommodating
features. Accessible features must be functionally and visually designed into the product, ideally
from the beginning of the process. When accessible features are integrated, they are less noticeable,
cost less, and benefit more people in a wider range of situations.
32.3 PRODUCTS WITH UNIVERSAL DESIGN FEATURES
In 1997, a set of seven Principles of Universal Design was developed by a group of universal design
experts, coordinated by staff of the Center for Universal Design (see Chap. 4, “The Principles of
Universal Design,” by Story). The purpose of these principles was to articulate the concept of uni-
versal design in a comprehensive way in order to guide the design process, allow systematic evalu-
ation of designs, and assist in educating both designers and consumers about the characteristics of
products and environments that make them more broadly usable.
The following designs satisfy the Principles of Universal Design and illustrate what is meant by
universally usable product design. Most of these images were reprinted from The Universal Design
File: Designing for People of All Ages and Abilities, published by North Carolina State University’s
Center for Universal Design (Story et al., 1998). These designs are not necessarily universal in every
respect, but each is a good example of a specific guideline and helps convey its intent.
Principle 1: Equitable Use
Guideline 1B: Avoid segregating or stigmatizing any users.
A weight scale with a large platform that is recessed into the floor (Fig. 32.1) saves floor space,
and everyone can use the same scale, whether they walk or use a wheelchair or scooter. The scale
may also have audio output, which is particularly beneficial for people with visual impairments.
Principle 2: Flexibility in Use
Guideline 2A: Provide choices in methods of use.
UNIVERSAL DESIGN OF PRODUCTS 32.3
Computer software features (Fig. 32.2) offer users a choice of input and output options. Input
can be controlled via a mouse, trackball, touch pad, graphics pad, joystick, keyboard arrow keys,
sip-and-puff switch, even a tongue-activated touch pad or eye gaze software. Output can be presented
through a monitor (with custom appearance, such as specific colors, fonts, and graphics), speakers,
a printer, Braille printer, dynamic Brailler, and other devices.
Principle 3: Simple and Intuitive Use
Guideline 3B: Be consistent with user expectations and intuition.
Simple cell phones, such as Jitterbug in the United States and Raku Raku in Japan, are easier
to use than most (see Fig. 32.3). These phones have fewer buttons and options; large, color-coded
buttons; and a bright display, on-screen “hints,” volume control, and operators standing by ready to
help. The phones are more accommodating and less intimidating to use.
FIGURE 32.1 Weight scale with large, recessed platform is convenient for all.
Long description: A woman sits in a wheelchair on a weight scale platform, approximately
1 m
2
, which is recessed into the floor. The scale has a bent metal tubing railing along the back
edge, and its large display is mounted on the wall at her eye level.
32.4 PUBLIC SPACES, PRIVATE SPACES, PRODUCTS, AND TECHNOLOGIES
Principle 4: Perceptible Information
Guideline 4A: Use different modes (pictorial, verbal, tactile) for redundant presentation of essen-
tial information.
Appliance manufacturers should supply use and care manuals in large print, Braille, and audio
and video formats (Fig. 32.4), as well as on their web site, to suit individual user abilities and prefer-
ences. Online information is particularly useful because it can be updated as needed, and users can
employ whatever computer technologies they need (e.g., font enlargement, screen reader, sip-and-
puff mouse).
Principle 5: Tolerance for Error
Guideline 5B: Provide warnings of hazards and errors.
The red tip on a bottle of contact lens cleaner warns the user not to confuse it with the bottle of
eyedrops, which has the same shape but a white tip (Fig. 32.5).
Principle 6: Low Physical Effort
Guideline 6A: Allow the user to maintain a neutral body position.
FIGURE 32.2 “Universal access” software offers computer users choices.
Long description: Screen capture of the “Universal Access” dialog box on a Macintosh com-
puter. It offers options for seeing (audio output, display zoom, and contrast) and hearing (screen
flash for alerts), and use of keyboard (sticky keys and slow keys) and mouse or track pad (delay,
speed, and cursor size) as well as access for assistive devices.
UNIVERSAL DESIGN OF PRODUCTS 32.5
A computer keyboard that is split in the middle and has its two sides angled outward to align with
the user’s forearms allows a computer operator to maintain a neutral body position from elbows to
fingertips (Fig. 32.6).
Principle 7: Size and Space for Approach and Use
Guideline 7C: Accommodate variations in hand and grip size.
Open-loop door handles (Fig. 32.7) and cabinet and drawer pulls do not require grasping and
accommodate hands of all sizes and shapes.
FIGURE 32.3 Jitterbug offers basic cell phone functions and is easy to use.
Long description: The photo shows two white clamshell-style Jitterbug
phones, both open, with a display in the top half and buttons on the bottom
half. The telephone on the left has two buttons at the top, labeled “YES” and
“NO.” Below them is a standard telephone keypad with a black background
and large white numbers for the keys. The telephone on the right has the
same two buttons at the top and three buttons below, labeled “OPERATOR,”
“TOW,” and “911.”
32.6 PUBLIC SPACES, PRIVATE SPACES, PRODUCTS, AND TECHNOLOGIES
FIGURE 32.4 Manufacturer’s care and use manuals should be provided in multiple formats.
Long description: The photo shows several examples of documentation for home appliances,
including print, large print, Braille, and audiotape.
FIGURE 32.5 Different contact lens solution bottles are distinguished by color.
Long description: The photo shows two bottles of contact lens solution with their caps
removed. The tip of the cleaning solution bottle is red, and the tip of the wetting solution bottle
is white.
UNIVERSAL DESIGN OF PRODUCTS 32.7
FIGURE 32.6 Ergonomic keyboards allow wrists to maintain neutral postures while typing.
Long description: The photo shows a keyboard that is raised in the middle and has a triangular
space between the keys operated by the left and right hands, to allow the forearms to maintain a
neutral posture from elbow to fingers while typing.
FIGURE 32.7 Open-loop door handles accommodate hands of all sizes.
Long description: The photo shows a large, cylindrical, white loop door handle being hooked
by a left hand.