Universal design of an environment, product,website or a curriculum allows usability to all people to the maximum extent possible. Principles of univeral design have been recognized for a number of years. In the new IDEIA the term "universal design" is vaguely defined but then it is not applied to the substantive areas of the Act.
The United States Department of Education has defined the essential elements of universal design as follows:
* Equitable Use: The design is useful and marketable to people with diverse abilities;
* Flexibility in Use: The design accommodates a wide range of individual preferences and abilities;
* Simple and Intuitive: Use of the design is easy to understand regardless of the user’s experience, knowledge, language skills, or concentration level;
* Perceptible Information: The design communicates necessary information effectively to the user, regardless of the user’s sensory abilities; and
* Low Physical Effort: The design can be used efficiently and comfortably and with a minimum of fatigue.
The DO-IT Center of the University of Washington has a large body of research aimed at implementing these principles in everyday instruction, on the job and in other enviroments. There are well developed standards for universal design and accessibility of websites. [Download Bobby-Overview.pdf
]
The question is why is universal design still not a fully integral part of IDEA. It needs to be implemented as an everyday part of school curriculum. Universal design from every point of view is a winning proposition. It allows for maximum access. It takes away the "otherness" of many solutions for the disabled. It would support children being educated in less restrictive enviroments and have better outcomes. Vocational and employment opportunties would be greatly increased. Even people without defined disablities would benefit from universal design. Who could argue with websites, for instance, that are are clear and well laid out with fonts that are readable (like a blog) and graphics that are understandable. My son certainly could not access the school’s website where assignments are posted and activities are listed. It is well past time to make universal design a natural part of school, jobs and the built environment, and as the folks at the University of Washington say DO-IT.