Universal Design: Creating Inclusive Spaces, Creating Compassionate Cities.

Universal design is a design philosophy that aims to create spaces that are accessible and usable by everyone, regardless of their age, ability, or disability. It's about designing for inclusivity and creating environments that are welcoming and easy to use for everyone.

?The Key Principles of Universal Design that can be widely in any design domain are:

• Accessibility: Designs with be accessible, usable and approachable for all user categories.
• Ease of Use: Designs should be simple and intuitive to use and provide clear information to the users.
• ? Flexible: Designs should accommodate a wide range of individual needs, functions and preferences.
• Safe: Designs that should minimize risks and errors.
• Comfort: Designs that are welcoming and facilitates ease of use without a lot of effort.

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Our built environments are also outcomes of design processes which humans of all age categories, abilities and backgrounds use for work, live, learn, recreation, heal and thrive. Not only the built environment benefits the users my making it more inclusive but by embracing a wide range of users, it helps the built environment to also thrive, become safe by getting activated. ?The spaces in our built environment can be made more inclusive by applying some of the following Universal Design measures:

• Ramps: Ramps with suitable slope make it easier for people with limited ability, elderly people as well as young parents and caregivers of young children to access spaces and buildings. It should be ensured that landings are provided after appropriate intervals and proper handrails are provided for easy use. Ramps that connect level differences in sidewalks, public transport nodes, building entrances.

• Accessible Restrooms: Restrooms with grab bars, wider doors, and accessible sinks help everyone use them comfortably. Restroom and cubicle sizes should ensure easy access and maneuvering, and fixture selections and heights should ensure accessibility.
• Visual Cues: Using contrasting colors or textures not only help people with visual impairments see things more easily but also helps to communicate and differentiate intent of spaces. This helps in vehicular and pedestrian traffic management and traffic calming in the urban environment as well as within buildings. Artificial and natural lighting can also help in providing visual cues.

• Accessible Sidewalks, Streetscape and Parking: Designated parking spaces closer to the entrance make it easier for people with disabilities to get in and out of buildings. Accessible aisle to be provided alongside the accessible parking spots to get off the car and aisles to be provided to cross driveways withing parking decks as well as on streets. Just providing parking spots to improve accessibility is just not sufficient. We need to have a holistic approach to make our environments more accessible friendly, that would include our streetscape and sidewalks in the urban environment making them safe and easy to use for people with limited abilities.
• Doorway design and hardware: How the doorways are design to access the spaces with the built environment play an important part to make the spaces accessible friendly. Lever handles instead of doorknobs are easier for people with limited hand strength to open. Push plates on the push side are also more intuitive. The weight and dimension of the doors shutters should be considered. Door closers with Adjustable Closing and Latch Speed provide more comfort and ease of use for people with limited mobility and those using wheelchairs and walkers.

• Audio Visual Alarms: Alarms and signages that use both sound and light for alarms can help people with hearing or visual impairments to detect signals and warnings. Using sound and light for way finding our built environment can also make them more inclusive. ?
• Accessible Seating: Providing a variety of seating options in parks and open spaces, in public transport and in buildings, including wheelchair-accessible seating, ensures everyone can find a comfortable place to sit, making it more inclusive and user friendly for a wide range of demography.

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Incorporating Universal design in our built environments is important as it' about creating spaces that truly embrace diversity and inclusion. It helps strengthen your brand by demonstrating one’s commitment to creating accessible, inclusive and just environments. Universal design can be applied to a wide range of projects, ensuring that spaces are accessible and inclusive, such as Offices, Residential Single and Multi-family, Schools, Public buildings and even Open spaces such as parks and playgrounds.

In schools universal design principles must be applied to enable every student, regardless of their abilities, to fully participate and be included. Classrooms with flexible seating arrangements, accessible desks, and visual cues create an environment where all students feel valued. Inclusive playgrounds with ramps, accessible play equipment, and sensory-friendly elements foster a sense of belonging. And accessible restrooms ensure that everyone can attend to their needs with dignity and independence.

In commercial office buildings, universal design can transform the workplace into a more welcoming and productive environment by respecting the needs of all. Accessible entrances, clear signages, adjustable workstations, accessible washrooms, ramps and elevators of appropriate capacities for level differences and inclusive common areas ensure that all employees feel valued and respected.

Multifamily buildings can benefit from universal design principles by meeting the needs of a wider range of people. Accessible apartments, common areas, and outdoor spaces create a sense of community and belonging for residents of all abilities. Doorways with appropriate widths, toilets with grab bars and sufficient space for maneuvering, accessible counters and switch locations, sufficient corridors widths. Curb cuts and ramps for access makes access easier for the differentially abled and elderly.

Public buildings can be made more inclusive with Universal design. It means making sure everyone can use the space, regardless of their abilities. This includes ramps, accessible restrooms, and inclusive outdoor areas. By following universal design principles, we can create public spaces that are welcoming and accessible for all.

Parks and Playground with accessible entrances, well maintained paths that accommodate wheelchairs, walkers, and people with visual impairments can make the open spaces for welcoming and beneficial for all. By use contrasting colors or tactile paving for guidance, providing accessible seating areas with benches for rest, legible signage, including Braille and tactile signage can make the spaces more inclusive.

While building codes have made significant strides in promoting universal design, there's a world of opportunity beyond these minimum standards. Architects can truly revolutionize spaces by embracing inclusive design as a core principle. Here are some areas where one can go beyond the minimum requirements:

• Inclusive design from the outset: Rather than treating accessibility as an afterthought, architects should incorporate universal design principles into the planning and design process from the beginning.
• Context-sensitive design: Consider the specific needs and preferences of the local community when designing accessible spaces.
• Innovative solutions: Explore innovative design solutions that go beyond traditional accessibility features, such as using technology to enhance accessibility.
• Collaboration with experts: Work closely with experts in accessibility and disability studies to ensure that designs meet the needs of people with disabilities.
• Advocacy and education: Raise awareness about the importance of universal design and advocate for stronger building codes and regulations.

By embracing Universal Design into the design processes from the very core, we can transform our built environment into a place where everyone feels welcome, valued, and empowered by creating a more equitable and just society. ????????????