Who Defines Universal Design’s

Constituents?

Aimi Hamraie

Emory University

Universal Design

Universal Design:

• Broad inclusion• Accessibility-by-

design

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA):

• Specific disabilities• Barrier-removal

Seven Principles of UD

1. Equitable use

2. Flexibility in use

3. Simple and intuitive

4. Perceptible information

5. Tolerance for error

6. Low physical effort

7. Size and space for approach and use

Universal?

• Assimilation

• “Normate” (Garland-Thomson)

Universal?

• Inclusion

• Flexibility

• Universal vulnerability

Blusson Spinal Cord Center, Vancouver, BC, Canada

Models• Social

Models• Social

• Medical

Models• Social

• Medical

• Scientific

Steven Epstein

Inclusion: the politics of difference in

medical research (2007)

Universal Design research

Disability rightsmovement

Universal Design research

Disability rightsmovement

EnvironmentalDesign

Research

Environmental Design Research

Pre-1970’s:

Human-environment

systems

1970’s and after:User-centered

design

From Harry H. Laughlin, The Second International Exhibition of Eugenics (1921)

Anthropometry & eugenics

Credit: Architectural Graphic Standards, 1941; 1981

Anthropometry & design

Credit: Center for Inclusive Design & Environmental Access

Anthropometry of disability