News:

Universal Design – Clarifying the Concept

Photo: The Center for Universal Design

The Norwegian Ministry of the Environment commissioned the Center for Universal Design at North Carolina State University to elucidate and further clarify the concept of “universal design”. The report resulting from this effort provides important input to Norway’s further efforts to incorporate universal design into national planning activities.

30.04.2007

The principles of universal design are being applied in a growing number of spheres. In Norway, these principles have already been integrated into several acts of legislation and efforts are underway to incorporate them into even more of the statutory framework. To ensure that the principles remain operational, it is necessary to clarify the scope of the concept of universal design, and to specify more clearly the opportunities and ramifications this implies.

With this in mind, the Ministry of the Environment commissioned the Center for Universal Design at North Carolina State University to draw up a report recounting the background for the universal design strategy, and describing its potential for practical application. The resulting report provides an excellent overview of the universal design concept used in policy and as a method.

The Center for Universal Design originally introduced and defined the term “universal design” in the mid-1990s, working to elaborate its principles. The Center has since played an key role in promoting new thinking in this field.

The report has been prepared by Richard Duncan, Director of the Center for Universal Design.