What is accessibility?
Universal design is the key to creating user-friendly solutions and environments for all people, regardless of background or disability. Let's explain what it means and why it's so important.
In short, universal design is a set of essential design principles and practices that focus on usability. The idea is to create solutions that as many people as possible can benefit from, regardless of disability or background. This means that everything from products to services should be designed with diversity in mind.
Why is accessibility important?
The goal is to ensure that anyone can fully participate. By removing and reducing potential barriers with universal design, opportunities are created for everyone. The most important thing is the design or adaptation of common functions that most people use in everyday life. This is important to ensure an equal and inclusive society, where there is room for everyone.
Universal design - requirements
Whether it is new buildings, outdoor areas, businesses, means of transportation or ICT solutions, there are a number of requirements for universal design. Examples of different requirements include:
- Use of signage and symbols to make it easy to find your way around, both inside and outside
- Adequate outdoor and indoor lighting
- Accessible toilets should be a matter of course
- Outdoor areas that offer opportunities for seating and relaxation
- Level-free access to different buildings
There are also specific criteria to follow for digital solutions. WCAG 2.2, developed by W3C (World Wide Web Consortium), includes special guidelines for content on the Internet. This is an important part of accessibility, as it is about making digital media accessible.
Summary of the report
Universal design is about creating accessible solutions across different areas, regardless of disability. The purpose of this is to create an equal, accessible and inclusive society.