Universal Design Principles
These principles are taken from The Principles of Universal Design (pdf) by the NC State University College of Design.
Principle 1: Equitable use
The design is useful and marketable to people with diverse abilities.
Guidelines:
- 1a. Provide the same means of use for all users: identical where possible; equivalent when not.
- 1b. Avoid segregating or stigmatizing any users.
- 1c. Make provisions for privacy, security, and safety equally available to all users.
- 1d. Make the design appealing to all users.
Principle 2: Flexibility in Use
The design accommodates a wide range of individual preferences and abilities.
Guidelines:
- 2a. Provide choice in methods of use.
- 2b. Accommodate right- or left-handed access and use.
- 2c. Facilitate the user's accuracy and precision.
- 2d. Provide adaptability to the user's pace.
Principle 3: Simple and Intuitive Use
Use of the design is easy to understand, regardless fo the user's experience, knowledge, language skills, or current concentration level.
Guidelines:
- 3a. Eliminate unnecessary complexity.
- 3b. Be consistent with user expectations and intuition.
- 3c. Accommodate a wide range of literacy and language skills.
- 3d. Arrange information consistent with its importance.
- 3e. Provide effective prompting and feedback during and after task completion.
Principle 4: Perceptible Information
The design communicates necessary information effectively to the user, regardless of ambient conditions or the user's sensory abilities.
Guidelines:
- 4a. Use different modes (pictorial, verbal, tactile) for redundant presentation of essential information.
- 4b. Maximize "legibility" of essential information.
- 4c. Differentiate elements in ways that can be described (i.e. make it easy to give instructions or directions).
- 4d. Provide compatibility with a variety of techniques or devices used by people with sensory limitations.
Principle 5: Tolerance for Error
The design minimizes hazards and the adverse consequences of accidental or unintended actions.
Guidelines:
- 5a. Arrange elements to minimize hazards and errors: most used elements, most accessible; hazardous elements eliminated, isolated, or shielded.
- 5b. Provide warnings of hazards and errors.
- 5c. Provide fail-safe features.
- 5d. Discourage unconscious action in tasks that require vigilance.
Principle 6: Low physical effort
The design can be used efficiently and comfortably with a minimum of fatigue.
Guidelines:
- 6a. Allow users to maintain a neutral body position.
- 6b. Use reasonable operating forces.
- 6c. Minimize repetitive actions.
- 6d. Minimize sustained physical effort.
Principle 7: Size and Space for Approach and Use
Appropriate size and space is provided for approach, reach, manipulation, and use, regardless of user's body size, posture, or mobility.
- 7a. Provide a clear line of sight to important elements for any seated or standing user.
- 7b. Make reach to all components comfortable for any seated or standing user.
- 7c. Accomodate variations in hand and grip size.
- 7d. Provide adequate space for use of assistive devices or personal assistance.