UNIVERSAL

DESIGN
CREATING SPACES THAT WORK FOR EVERYONE
BY: AAKARSH JAIN
Stats that demonstrate how Universal Design is extremely important
Introduction/Problem Section:
Universal design addresses the challenge of creating STAT 1
15
environments that are accessible and usable for all people,
regardless of age, ability, or physical condition. As the global “15% of the world’s population, or 1
population ages and awareness of disabilities increases, the
billion people, experience some
demand for accessible, inclusive spaces is growing.
form of disability.” (World Health
“Universal design goes beyond accessibility; it’s about Organization)
ensuring that spaces are inclusive for everyone, making
sure environments accommodate diverse needs without
needing adaptation later.”
STAT 2
20
“Universal design increases
Universal design eliminates barriers that exclude people
with disabilities and promotes design that benefits
usability for all by 20%, and can
everyone. reduce the cost of retrofitting
environments for accessibility
Growth of Aging Populations: By 2050, it’s later.”
estimated that 22% of the global population will
be over 60, increasing the need for accessible STAT 3
environments.
Design for Neurodiversity: There is also a 12 “Accessible designs increase
property value by an average of
growing focus on designing for people with 12% in residential and commercial
cognitive and sensory disabilities, ensuring that buildings.”
spaces are intuitive and user-friendly for all.

Benefits and why its Important

BE A
“Universal design benefits everyone by creating spaces that

good
are flexible, intuitive, and accessible to all, regardless of
physical ability or age.”
Break this down into three key benefits:
1. Flexibility: Spaces can adapt to users’ changing needs.

HUMAN
2. Inclusivity: People with disabilities can navigate
environments more easily.
3. Aging in Place: Supports elderly users, allowing them to
live independently for longer.

CASE STUDY Center for Universal Design. The Principles of Universal

Design. North Carolina State University, 1997.

“The Ed Roberts Campus in Ed Roberts Campus. "Design Features." Ed Roberts Campus,

Berkeley, California, is a prime www.edrobertscampus.org/about-us/design-features/.
Steinfeld, Edward, and Jordana Maisel. Universal Design:
example of universal design in Creating Inclusive Environments. Wiley, 2012.

action. It features wide ramps, United States Census Bureau. "Older People Projected to
tactile floor indicators for the Outnumber Children for First Time in U.S. History." United
States Census Bureau, 13 Mar. 2018,
visually impaired, braille www.census.gov/newsroom/press-releases/2018/cb18-41-

signage, and intuitive population-projections.html.

navigation, ensuring World Health Organization. "Disability and Health." World

Health Organization, 1 Dec. 2020, www.who.int/news-
accessibility for all visitors.” room/fact-sheets/detail/disability-and-health.