Wednesday, September 5, 2012


Walk in Tubs is a hallmark of Universal Design in bathroom Products.

What is the Universal Design Concept

The phrase  "Universal design" came from Ronald  L. Mace. He coined the term to express an idea in architecture to  design  buildings, products  and create environment that is functional yet possessing beauty. The  usability of a universal design creation is accessible to virtually anyone, irregardless of  age, ability, or status in life.
The idea behind  Universal Design is the barrier free, an earlier movement along the same line of blending aesthetics with mobility enhancements, adaptive and assistive technology dealing with disability.

Basic Principle

The design of products and environments to be usable by all people, to the greatest extent possible, without the need for adaptation or specialized design.
  1. Equitable Use
  2. Flexibility
  3. Simple and Intuitive
  4. Perceptible Information
  5. Tolerance for Error
  6. Low Physical Effort
  7. Size and Space for Approach and Use

Examples

  • Entrances without stairs
  • Slip resistance surface
  • Bathtubs with doors, aka, walk in tubs
  • 60" X 60" turning points on hallways
  • Lever handles on doors
  • Product components requiring minimal force operation
  • Large flat panels on light switches
  • Touch sensitive controls
  • Luminous lighting
  • Auditory output redundant with information on visual displays
  • Visual output redundant with information in auditory output
  • Contrast controls on visual output
  • Use of meaningful icons with text labels
  • Clear lines of sight to reduce dependence on sound
  • Volume controls on auditory output
  • Speed controls on auditory output
  • Choice of language on speech output
  • Ramp access in swimming pools
  • Closed captioning on television networks
  • Signs with light-on-dark visual contrast
  • Web pages that provide alternative text to describe images
  • Instruction that presents material both orally and visually
  • Labels on equipment control buttons that is large print
  • A museum that allows visitors to chose to listen to or read descriptions


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