Accessibility
  
II. SUMMARY OF DISCUSSION
B. Environmental accessibility and universal design
It was noted that the Seminar was using the term "environmental
accessibility" in a broad sense: accessibility was viewed as a social construct and
not simply a characteristic of the built environmental. This followed the usage of the
term in the World Programme of Action. It also was noted that environmental accessibility
was not synonymous with universal design, which is an approach and set of procedures
concerned with social inclusion and choice.
Prof. Abir Mullik provided a brief introduction to universal design concepts and
issues. He noted that universal design was concerned with accessible and inclusive designs
for all. Universal design is concerned with designs for the built environment and for
products that are usable to as many persons as possible. However, universal design is not
synonymous with the production of a single design to meet all cases and circumstances.
Universal design takes as its premise that disability can happen to anyone, so design
processes must be inclusive and produce equitable benefits, which are social goals.
Universal designs are not entirely about accessibility but about the appropriateness of
design solutions to gender, to demographic group and to social and economic setting.
Prof. Mullik listed seven principles of universal design:
- (1) Equitable use - the design is useful and relevant to a wide group of users;
- (2) Flexibility in use - the design accommodates a wide range of individual preferences
and abilities;
- (3) Simple and intuitive use - the design is easy to understand regardless of the
knowledge, experience, language skills or concentration level of the user;
- (4) Perceptive information - the design communicates information effectively to the user
regardless of the ambient condition or the sensory abilities of the user;
- (5) Tolerance for error - the design minimises the hazards and adverse consequences of
unintended actions of the user;
- (6) Low physical effort - the design can be used easily, efficiently and comfortably
with a minimum of fatigue; and
- (7) Size and space for approach and use - the size and space for approach, reach,
manipulation and use should be appropriate regardless of the body size, posture or
mobility of the user.
Discussions noted the importance of a regional dimension in applying the principles of
universal design in planning and developing barrier-free environments.
One participant noted that universal design reflects a social construct and needed to
reflect the development setting and cultural traditions in which it would be applied. In
some countries, universal design focused on promoting personal independence and
empowerment while in others the focus was on family as well as community-based approaches
to assist those with special needs.
A question was raised about whether universal designs were cost effective or whether
low-income countries would not be able to use universal approaches due to other competing
development priorities. It was observed that universal designs produced collective
benefits and thus were not inherently more costly than other design approaches. One
participant noted that universal designs do not result in significant increases in
infrastructure development costs. Budgets were not the issue in implementing universal
designs but promoting public awareness and understanding is the more important factor.
Among the important considerations in promoting universal approaches were: (a) an
appropriate policy and legislative framework concerning accessibility and (b) wide-spread
public awareness for the role of universal approaches in promoting environmental
accessibility for all. The role of universal design could be seen in a shift in concern
with designs that responded to average conditions to designs that responded to the needs
of the many and recognition of accessibility not as an add-on but an essential design
standard.
The view was expressed that universal design is the more powerful concept than
environmental accessibility, which frequently was characterised as a response to meet the
needs of particular sector of society, persons with disabilities for instance.
Universal design is concerned with collective benefits, universalisation, and the
provision of alternatives rather than homogeneous solutions. Universal designs recognise
diversity. Universal approaches relate to processes of social transformation, which are
characterised by respect for diversity and inclusion.
One participant noted that while his country had implemented good legislation on
accessibility, relatively little had been delivered since, in his view, the process to
implement the legislation was weak. In his view there was a need for a paradigm shift in
which universal design is viewed as a challenge and not a regulatory requirement. This
suggested a need for awareness raising - as mentioned previously - and training of
national personnel. Another participant commented that regulations on accessibility might
be viewed as steps to achieve changes required to produce barrier-free environments. A
third participant noted that legislation was useful in identifying areas of need and
setting minimum standards on accessibility.
The view was expressed that a move to wide-spread awareness and support for universal
design may require at least a decade and would require a commitment to training of
national personnel since there currently was limited expertise in this area in countries.
Public education campaigns were important since many did not understand fundamental design
processes and their contribution to accessible environments for all. There were at least
two levels in which efforts were required: (1) training in universal design concepts and
principles level and (2) public awareness and support of universal design level. It also
was noted that consideration should be given to a more descriptive term, such as inclusive
design as means to promote widespread support and awareness of the universal design
concept.
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