THE UNIVERSAL DESIGN OF BUILDINGS:: AN EMPIRICAL TEST OF THE PRINCIPAL CLAIMED BENEFIT

There is an emerging consensus about seven Principles of Universal Design that define universally designed products and environments not only as being (1) equitable in use, (2) flexible in use, (3) simple and intuitive in use, (4) easy to perceive, and (5) tolerant of error, but also as (6) requiring low physical effort and (7) being better sized and arranged to accommodate all users (Connell, et al, 1997)(Danford, 2001)(IDEA Center, 2001). A principal claimed benefit of designing products and environments following these principles is that they will be more usable for everyone. To test that claim, a research project was initiated to examine people's experiences with universal design through a case study of a universally designed building currently in use