Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
a broader definition of the population that could benefit from “accessible” environments.
This broadening definition of the user population is expressed in the philosophy of UD.
Universal design is a term used to describe the designing of all products and the built
environment in an inconspicuous manner to be both aesthetic and usable to the greatest
extent possible by everyone, regardless of their age, ability, or status in life (Mace et al.
1991). Elsewhere, it has been defined as a movement that approaches the design of the
environment, products, and communications with the widest range of users in mind
(Knecht 2004) and as a process of embedding choice for all people in design (Salmen
2008).
Whereas accessibility is seen as removal of barriers and addition of special features
specifically for use by people with disabilities, UD is seen as providing environments
that can be fully experienced by all people. Accessibility is based on assumptions of par-
ticular barriers for a specific group of people. Conversely, UD is seen as a framework for
developing solutions to anticipated needs of all end-users (Knecht 2004).
In addition to accessibility and UD, sustainability is the third dimension that we pro-
pose as essential for evaluating the environment. Sustainable design refers to the design
and production of objects or buildings in ways that are economical and that minimize
harmful effects for the natural environment (Birkeland 2002). For the purpose of this chap-
ter, we have broadened the definition of sustainable design to also encompass the notion of
adaptable usage such as the use of products or environments over time and across chang-
ing functional abilities and demands.
Although AT professionals and consumers are familiar with the concepts of accessibil-
ity and UD, the notion of sustainable design remains unchartered territory, yet one that is
becoming increasingly significant within the context of global climate change and resource
scarcity. Sustainability is an important concept to consider when designing products and
environments for people with disabilities, especially because of recent speculation that
this population is likely to be disenfranchised from the global movement addressing the
central problem of climate change facing our society (Lovelock 2010).
By incorporating all three concepts within a single framework, this chapter offers an
environmental assessment framework that is comprehensive, innovative, and relevant to
contemporary trends and demands.
4.2.2 Interaction between Accessibility, Universal Design, and Sustainability
When assessing the environment along the dimensions of accessibility, sustainability, and
UD, it is important to understand that these three dimensions do not operate in isolation
but instead overlap and intersect (Gossett et al. 2009). The point of intersection between all
three dimensions represents the “ideal” design solution for the product or environment
being considered—a solution that achieves the highest degree of accessibility, sustainabil-
ity, and UD. A visual illustration of this point is presented in Figure 4.1.
The intersection model allows one to simultaneously place each decision or design
element of the product/environment under consideration in relationship to the three
dimensions and to judge it against its approximation to the ideal center. Although the
“ideal center” represents the main goal of any design process, previous research (Gossett
et al. 2009) has shown that the ideal solution is difficult to achieve. Instead, in most situa-
tions there exists a tenuous relationship between these three desired features pulling the
design solution in divergent directions. At these times the solution eventually adopted
reflects a tradeoff among the three features of accessibility, sustainability, and UD. A
visual illustration of this point is presented in Figure 4.2.
