What is Universal Design?
Universal Design is a design philosophy and approach that seeks to create products, environments, and systems that are inherently accessible and usable by people of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds. It promotes the idea that design should be inclusive and consider the needs of a diverse and heterogeneous user population.
The core principles of Universal Design include:
- Equitable Use: The design should be useful and accessible to people with diverse abilities. It aims to eliminate discrimination and ensure equal access and usability for everyone.
- Flexibility in Use: Universal Design allows for multiple ways of using a product or interacting with an environment. It acknowledges that individuals have different preferences and needs.
- Simple and Intuitive Use: Designs should be easy to understand and navigate, minimizing the need for complex instructions or specialized knowledge.
- Perceptible Information: Information presented through design should be clear and distinguishable, accommodating various sensory abilities, including visual, auditory, and tactile.
- Tolerance for Error: Universal Design recognizes that users may make mistakes, and it aims to minimize the negative consequences of those errors through forgiving design features.
- Low Physical Effort: The design should require minimal physical effort to use, reducing fatigue and discomfort for all users.
- Size and Space for Approach and Use: Universal Design ensures that products and environments provide appropriate space and reach for users of different sizes and abilities.
Cegal and Universal Design
At Cegal, we strive to always keep the core principles of Universal Design in mind to ensure that our products are easy and pleasurable to use for everyone. The idea that anyone, no matter who you are, has the right to equality in the use of digital products is engrained in our company culture.