Lesson 1 A Better Life for Everybody
Universal Design for Everyone
Did ____ know that one out of every ten people in the world is left-handed?
They face challenges in a ____ designed for right-handed individuals.
It is inconvenient for them to use some ____ products such as scissors, cameras, and computer mice.
The world we live in is designed to be an ____ suitable for what is considered “normal” for the majority of people, and it is filled with objects that are easy for them to use.
Thus, ____ who do not belong to that category have no choice but to live with discomfort.
In other words, a minority of people with physical differences, such as the left-handed, the disabled, and the elderly, either endure inconvenience or deliberately seek objects designed especially for them, which are often ____ to find.
Is it impossible to build an environment where ____ can use products and facilities conveniently and without limitations?
It was Ronald ____ who sought the answer to this question.
He ____ polio at the age of nine and spent the rest of his life in a wheelchair.
When studying architecture at university, he struggled to ____ some campus facilities due to inaccessible building designs.
This experience later inspired him to invent the term ____ design, which refers to design for all.
As an architect and product designer, he pursued a world in which all products and ____ were designed to be artistic and usable to the greatest extent possible by everyone, regardless of their age, size, disability, nationality, or language.
According to the principles
According to the principles of universal design, the design must be able to be used equitably, flexibly, ____, and intuitively by a wide variety of people.
In addition, it should be cognitively ____ and minimize users’ physical ef forts.
Finally, it requires the providing of sufficient space for all users ____ reducing potential hazards and adverse consequences from accidental or unintended actions.
A key feature of universal ____ is that this is not a special requirement only for the benefit of a minority of the population.
If an environment is accessible, usable, convenient, and a pleasure to ____, everyone in the community benefits.
How has universal design ____ incorporated into modern architecture?
One of the most representative examples of universal design being used to improve accessibility is the ramps installed in front of ____.
Ramps, not stairs, are necessary for people with ____ who use wheelchairs, and they are also beneficial for parents pushing strollers and the elderly.
Another example is automatic doors.
They are invaluable for those who rely on assistive ____ such as wheelchairs and crutches.
They also provide convenience for adults who have their hands full and children ____ are not tall enough to open the doors themselves.
A further ____ is tactile paving.
These textured surfaces, often found on sidewalks, steps, and crosswalks, assist visually impaired individuals by guiding them through ____ spaces.
Universal design is ____ only applied in modern architecture but also extends to transportation systems.
For instance, buses have been designed with a floor closer to ground level to ease access for ____ passengers.
Handles of various lengths are provided, another ____ by which universal design is implemented to accommodate passengers’ different heights.
Subway maps have also been designed for color-blind individuals to clearly distinguish between subway lines by adjusting the color and the brightness and by ____ the thickness of lines that have similar colors.
Additionally, the use of ____ can be seen frequently.
Signs indicating the ____ of subway or train stations assist international travelers who may not be familiar with the local language.
Likewise, road signs indicating school zones, speed limits, and directions for turns and ____ aid drivers in recognizing important information more easily.
While universal design has
While universal design has been utilized in architecture and transportation systems for some time, a newer ____ is in the fashion industry.
Clothing ____ with universal design integrates stretchable and breathable materials, enhancing comfort and mobility.
Other features include the use of magnets and Velcro in place of buttons, making it easier to put on and take ____ clothing.
It also incorporates traits like ____ waistbands and adjustable sleeves to allow individuals with disabilities to dress independently.
This type of clothing is also beneficial for pregnant women, older adults who may experience mobility issues, and individuals with ____ injuries or medical conditions.
Overall, universal design clothing promotes increased comfort, convenience, independence, and improved mobility and ____ for wearers of all abilities.
You may ____ it surprising that universal design can be found in more parts of society than you thought.
However, enough ____ not been done to accommodate everyone yet.
Universal design should be implemented more extensively to promote full participation in the community for a wider range of ____.
It is time to build more ____ environments that are accessible to everyone.
So are you on board to create a ____ designed world for all?