Applications of Universal Design

DO-IT promotes the use of universal design principles to create a more accessible and usable world. DO-IT is funded by the U.S. Department of Education (grant # OPE P333A020044, #OPE P333A990042, and # OPE P333A050064) and the National Science Foundation (Cooperative Agreement #HRD-0227995) to share guidance and resources on creating more accessible products and environments through the use of universal design. DO-IT's special focus is on the accessible design of information technology and universal design in education (UDE).

The following DO-IT publications and videos apply universal design principles to a wide variety of products and environments; Including instruction, websites, distance learning courses, software, multimedia, libraries, computer labs, career centers, advising offices, tutoring and learning centers, and conference exhibits. Many of them provide checklists for implementation of universal design in a specific application area; developed with formative input from the field and tested nationwide, in put to further refine these products is welcome from practitioners.

Overview

Universal Design: Principles, Process, and Applications - an overview of the meaning of universal design, its principles, the process of universal design, and examples of applications.

Universal Design in Education

Universal Design in Education: Principles and Applications - applications of universal design to physical environments, information technology, instruction, and student services at all educational levels.
The Center for Universal Design in Education - comprehensive website on principles, processes, guidelines, checklists, and promising practices for applying universal design to instruction, student services, information technology, and physical spaces.
Applications of Universal Design in Education - a summary of applications and examples of universal design to instruction, services, information technology, and physical spaces.

Universal Design of Instruction

Universal Design of Instruction: Definition, Principles, and Examples - universal design principles applied to curriculum, educational technology, teaching strategies, and classroom activities.
Equal Access: Universal Design of Instruction - a checklist to maximize the learning of all students (publication and video).

Universal Design of The Technological Environment

World Wide Access: Accessible Web Design - universal design applied to the development of web pages (publication and video).
Universal Design of Web Pages in Class Projects - teaching universal design to students learning about web design.
Web Accessibility: Guidelines for Administrators - guidance for non-technical administrators regarding how to assure that websites in their organizations are accessible to everyone.
AccessWeb - a discussion list and collection of resources on the design of accessible websites.
Equal Access: Computer Labs - a checklist that applies universal design principles to the development of accessible computer labs (publication and video).
Access to Technology in the Workplace: In Our Own Words - how universally designed information technology benefits people with disabilities in employment settings (publication and video).
Designing Software that is Accessible to Individuals with Disabilities - guidelines for the design of accessible software.
Use of Telecommunications Products by People with Disabilities - guidelines for the design of accessible telecommunications products.
Creating Video and Multimedia Products that are Accessible to People with Sensory Impairments - guidelines for the design of accessible multimedia.

Universal Design of Distance Learning

Real Connections: Making Distance Learning Accessible to Everyone - applying universal design to the development of distance learning courses (publication and video).
Equal Access: Universal Design of Distance Learning - a checklist to assure access and promote the learning of all students.
AccessDL - discussion list and a collection of resources on the design of accessible distance learning courses.

Universal Design as a Topic of Instruction

Universal Design of Web Pages in Class Projects - how teachers can integrate universal design into core curriculum on creating web pages.

Universal Design of Libraries

Equal Access: Universal Design of Libraries - designing a library that is accessible to everyone (publication and video).

Universal Design of Student Services

Equal Access: Universal Design of Student Services - overview and checklist for applying universal design principles to the development of accessible student service units on postsecondary campuses (publication and video).
Equal Access: Universal Design of Recruitment and Undergraduate Admissions - a checklist for creating a recruitment and admissions process that is accessible to all potential students.
Equal Access: Universal Design of Libraries - a checklist with considerations for the universal design of libraries (video and presentation).
Equal Access: Universal Design of Registration - a checklist for designing an accessible registration office.
Equal Access: Universal Design of Financial Aid - a checklist for applying universal design principles to a financial aid office.
Equal Access: Universal Design of Advising - a checklist for applying universal design principles to an advising center.
Equal Access: Universal Design of Career Services - a checklist for designing an accessible career services center.
Equal Access: Universal Design of Housing and Residential Life - a checklist for making housing and campus life accessible to all students.
Equal Access: Universal Design of Tutoring and Learning Centers - a checklist for applying universal design principles to tutoring and learning centers.
Equal Access: Universal Design of Computer Labs- a checklist for applying universal design principles to the development of accessible computer labs (publication and video).
Equal Access: Universal Design of Student Organizations - a checklist for creating student organizations that are accessible to all students.

Universal Design of Projects, Conference Exhibits, and Presentations

Equal Access: Universal Design of Professional Organizations - a checklist for creating a universally designed professional organization.
Equal Access: Universal Design of Your Project - a checklist for making a project accessible to everyone.
Equal Access: Universal Design of Conference Exhibits and Presentations - a checklist for making content accessible to all participants.

Universal Design Checklists from Other Organizations

The following documents provide checklists for applications of universal design to products and environments with most emphasis on accessible design for people with disabilities.

Consumer Products - general guidelines for accessible products from the Trace Center.
Employment Practices - an accessibility checklist can be found in the Inclusive Corporation by Griff Hogan, 2003, p. 231-300.
Product Marketing - an accessibility checklist can be found in the Inclusive Corporation by Griff Hogan, 2003, p. 301-303.
Safety, Lighting and Storage - a checklist that reveals issues for the design of safety, lighting and storage.
Web Content Accessibility Guidelines - comprehensive guidelines that focus on access to web content for people with disabilities.
Electronic and Information Technology - minimum standards for the accessibility of technology purchased, developed, maintained, and used by the U.S. federal government.
Information Technology in Education - checklist developed by AccessIT for making technology in educational settings accessible to all students.
Meetings - checklist for the design of accessible meetings.

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