Some people get accessibility and universal design mixed up. These concepts have a distinct purpose related to hardware, software, multimedia, eLearning courses, websites, curriculum, and training.
Terminology
Accessibility refers to how individuals with disabilities can use products, services, and facilities independently as well as their distinct preferences needed for access. Accessibility as a design and development concern has a long history. With the introduction of legislation such as the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and its addition into law in 1990, individuals with disabilities slowly began realizing a level of independence as public buildings and digital resources were designed or retrofitted with access in mind.
Universal design is the process of creating products and environments that are usable by everyone, without the requirement for adaptation or specialized design. Universal design broadens the idea of accessibility to include everyone, not just individuals with disabilities. Using this design concept, designers and developers produce a single solution that reaches the widest possible audience, eliminating the need to augment the solution to satisfy individuals with various demands.
Takeaways
- More products will be accessible and usable by everyone if product designers and developers follow universal design principles, with a special emphasis on accessibility for individuals with disabilities.
- Organizations must invest in accessibility and universal design to transform the way they serve customers, regardless of ability, and provide Electronic and Information Resources that can be used by everyone.