Rehabilitation Engineering

Universal Design
 The Goals and Benefits of Universal
Design
➢ Universal design means planning to build physical,
learning and work environments
➢ usable by a wide range of people, regardless of
age, size or disability status
➢ promotes access for individuals with disabilities, it
also benefits others.

➢ https://www.buffalo.edu/access/help-and-
support/topic3.html
Why Consider Universal Design?
➢ Legally required to ensure that our work and learning
environments are accessible for individuals with
disabilities, and we understand that accessibility is
essential to an inclusive environment
➢ Creating accessible physical spaces, electronic content and
learning environments requires additional thought and
planning at the beginning stages
➢ To plan for accessibility at the outset than to attempt to
retrofit an inaccessible space, program or course to make it
accessible.
➢ Benefits a wide range of people with varying learning
styles, preferences and abilities.
 Universal Design Principles
➢ Equitable Use
➢ Flexibility in Use
➢ Simple and Intuitive Use
➢ Perceptible Information
➢ Tolerance for Error
➢ Low Physical Effort
➢ Appropriate Size and Space for Approach and
Use
 Universal Design in Instruction
➢ Promote a welcoming class climate. Adopt practices that
reflect high values with respect to both diversity and
inclusiveness.
➢ Make learning interactive. Encourage regular and effective
interactions between students and the instructor and
ensure that communication methods
➢ Pay attention to the physical environment and course
materials. Ensure that individuals with physical, cognitive
and sensory impairments can access facilities, activities,
materials and equipment.
➢ Consider employing multiple delivery methods to access
content. allow to choose from multiple options for
learning. collaborative learning options, hands-on
activities, Internet-based communications, educational
software, field work, and so forth.
➢ Ensure that information resources and technology are accessible,
and provide them in multiple formats. For example, share a syllabus
electronically in both Word and PDF formats, in addition to
distributing paper copies.
➢ Provide feedback to students on a regular basis. For example, break
up larger projects into manageable sections and provide feedback
along the way to ensure students are on track.
➢ Regularly assess student progress using multiple accessible
methods and tools. Ensure that you provide accommodations for
students who have presented you with an accommodation
memorandum.
➢ Provide accommodations. Even with universal design, there may be
students who still require accommodation to access course materials,
or to ensure that assessment tools measure the students' knowledge
rather than their impairments.
 Universal Design Goals
➢ Body Fit: Accommodating a wide range of body sizes and abilities.
➢ Comfort: Keeping demands within desirable limits of body function
and perception.
➢ Awareness: Ensuring that critical information for use is easily
perceived.
➢ Understanding: Making methods of operation and use intuitive, clear,
and unambiguous.
➢ Wellness: Contributing to health promotion, avoidance of disease,
and protection from hazards.
➢ Social Integration: Treating all groups with dignity and respect.
➢ Personalization: Incorporating opportunities for choice and the
expression of individual preferences.
➢ Cultural Appropriateness: Respecting and reinforcing cultural values,
and the social and environmental contexts of any design project.