Universal Design Principles Flashcards

Who is credited with coining the term 'universal design'?

Answer: Ronald Mace at North Carolina State University

Architect Ronald Mace at North Carolina State University coined the term and led development of the seven principles.

What does the universal design principle 'Flexibility in Use' mean?

Answer: The design accommodates a wide range of individual preferences and abilities, offering choice in methods of use

Flexibility in Use means accommodating diverse preferences by providing choice in methods of use, right- or left-handed access, and adaptability to user's pace.

How does 'Tolerance for Error' apply to digital design?

Answer: Minimizing adverse consequences of accidental actions through undo, confirmation dialogs, and input validation

Tolerance for Error means providing safeguards: confirmation dialogs, undo, autosave, input validation, and clear error recovery.

What does 'Perceptible Information' mean as a universal design principle?

Answer: The design communicates necessary information effectively regardless of ambient conditions or user's sensory abilities

Perceptible Information means using multiple modes (visual, auditory, tactile) for redundant presentation of essential information.

How does universal design differ from accessible design?

Answer: Universal design creates products usable by everyone from the start, while accessible design often focuses on accommodations for specific disabilities, sometimes as retrofits

Universal design proactively creates solutions usable by the broadest population from the outset, while accessible design often focuses on meeting specific disability requirements.

What does 'Simple and Intuitive Use' require?

Answer: The design is easy to understand regardless of the user's experience, knowledge, language skills, or concentration level

Simple and Intuitive Use means the design is understandable regardless of users' experience, knowledge, language, or concentration.