What is universal design?

Universal design is a term coined in the 1980s by Ronald Mace, who was researching architecture at North Carolina State University. Compared to barrier-free design, it is used in a broader sense. As the word "universal" suggests, it refers to "designs that anyone can use, regardless of age, physical condition, gender, nationality, etc."

Mace, who himself had a disability, felt uncomfortable with the term "barrier-free" being used exclusively for "people with disabilities," and thus advocated the concept of universal design. To clearly convey his ideas, he defined the following seven principles:

① Equitable use, ② Flexibility in use, ③ Simple and intuitive use, ④ Perceptible information, ⑤ Tolerance for error, ⑥ Low physical effort, and ⑦ Size and space for approach and use. He defined "universal design" as something that adheres to these seven principles as much as possible.

In recent years, this concept has been spreading worldwide, including in Japan.