Universal Design Principles
Expert-defined terms from the Certificate in Inclusive Design and Accessibility course at LearnUNI. Free to read, free to share, paired with a professional course.
Accessibility refers to the design of products, devices, services, or environmen… #
Accessibility refers to the design of products, devices, services, or environments that can be used by people with disabilities, it is one of the key concepts in the Certificate in Inclusive Design and Accessibility, the goal of accessibility is to provide equal access to information and opportunities for everyone, including people with disabilities, this can be achieved through the use of assistive technologies, such as screen readers or wheelchairs, and by designing products and environments that are easily usable by everyone, for example, a website that is accessible would have features such as closed captions for videos, and clear navigation menus.
Accessible Design is a design approach that aims to create products, services, a… #
Accessible Design is a design approach that aims to create products, services, and environments that are usable by everyone, regardless of their abilities, it involves considering the needs of people with disabilities, as well as older people, and people with temporary disabilities, such as a broken arm, the goal of accessible design is to create products and environments that are easy to use, and that provide equal access to information and opportunities, for example, a building with ramps and elevators is an example of accessible design, as it allows people with mobility impairments to access the building.
Adaptive Technology refers to devices or systems that are designed to help peopl… #
Adaptive Technology refers to devices or systems that are designed to help people with disabilities, such as prosthetic limbs, or communication devices, adaptive technology can be used to assist people with a wide range of disabilities, including mobility impairments, sensory impairments, and cognitive impairments, for example, a screen reader is an example of adaptive technology, as it allows people who are blind or have low vision to access digital information.
Assistive Technology is a type of technology that is designed to assist people w… #
Assistive Technology is a type of technology that is designed to assist people with disabilities, it can include devices such as wheelchairs, hearing aids, and communication devices, assistive technology can be used to help people with a wide range of disabilities, including mobility impairments, sensory impairments, and cognitive impairments, for example, a wheelchair is an example of assistive technology, as it allows people with mobility impairments to move around.
Audio Description is a technique used to provide a verbal description of visual… #
Audio Description is a technique used to provide a verbal description of visual elements, such as images or videos, it is often used to assist people who are blind or have low vision, audio description can be used in a variety of contexts, including television shows, movies, and theater performances, for example, a movie with audio description would provide a verbal description of the visual elements, such as the setting, and the actions of the characters.
Captioning is the process of adding text to audio or video content, such as t… #
Captioning is the process of adding text to audio or video content, such as television shows, or online videos, captioning is often used to assist people who are deaf or hard of hearing, it can also be used to assist people who are learning a new language, or who are in a noisy environment, for example, a video with captions would display text on the screen, that corresponds to the audio content.
Certified Access Specialist is a professional who has received certification in… #
Certified Access Specialist is a professional who has received certification in accessibility, they have the knowledge and skills to evaluate and improve the accessibility of buildings, and other environments, certified access specialists can work with architects, builders, and other professionals to ensure that buildings and environments are accessible to everyone, for example, a certified access specialist might evaluate a building, and provide recommendations for improving accessibility.
Closed Captions are text displays that appear on screen, they provide a visual r… #
Closed Captions are text displays that appear on screen, they provide a visual representation of the audio content, such as dialogue, and sound effects, closed captions are often used to assist people who are deaf or hard of hearing, they can also be used to assist people who are learning a new language, or who are in a noisy environment, for example, a video with closed captions would display text on the screen, that corresponds to the audio content.
Color Contrast is the difference in lightness and color between tw… #
Color Contrast is the difference in lightness and color between two or more elements, such as text and background, color contrast is an important aspect of accessible design, as it can affect the readability of text, and the visibility of images, for example, a website with high color contrast would have text that is easily readable, against a background that is easily visible.
Communication Access Realtime Translation is a method of providing real #
time translation of spoken language, it is often used to assist people who are deaf or hard of hearing, CART involves a trained transcriber who listens to the spoken language, and types it out in real-time, for example, a CART transcriptionist might provide real-time translation of a lecture, or a meeting.
Disability refers to a physical, mental, or sensory impairment that affects a pe… #
Disability refers to a physical, mental, or sensory impairment that affects a person's ability to participate fully in society, disabilities can be visible or invisible, and can affect people in different ways, for example, a person with a physical disability might use a wheelchair, while a person with a sensory disability might use a hearing aid.
Equal Access refers to the principle of providing equal opportunities and access… #
Equal Access refers to the principle of providing equal opportunities and access to information and resources, for everyone, regardless of their abilities, equal access is a key concept in the Certificate in Inclusive Design and Accessibility, it involves designing products, services, and environments that are usable by everyone, for example, a website that is accessible would provide equal access to information, for people with disabilities.
Font Size is the size of the text, it is an important aspect of accessible desig… #
Font Size is the size of the text, it is an important aspect of accessible design, as it can affect the readability of text, font size should be large enough to be easily readable, but not so large that it is overwhelming, for example, a website with a font size of 12 points would be easily readable, for most people.
High Contrast Mode is a display setting that provides high contrast between text… #
High Contrast Mode is a display setting that provides high contrast between text and background, it is often used to assist people with visual impairments, high contrast mode can be used on websites, and other digital devices, for example, a website with high contrast mode would have text that is easily readable, against a background that is easily visible.
Inclusive Design is a design approach that aims to create products, services, an… #
Inclusive Design is a design approach that aims to create products, services, and environments that are usable by everyone, regardless of their abilities, it involves considering the needs of people with disabilities, as well as older people, and people with temporary disabilities, for example, a building with ramps and elevators is an example of inclusive design, as it allows people with mobility impairments to access the building.
Information and Communication Technology is a term that refers to the use of tec… #
Information and Communication Technology is a term that refers to the use of technology to access, create, and communicate information, ICT includes a wide range of technologies, such as computers, smartphones, and televisions, it is an important aspect of accessible design, as it can provide equal access to information, for people with disabilities.
Large Print is a font size that is larger than standard print, it is often used… #
Large Print is a font size that is larger than standard print, it is often used to assist people with visual impairments, large print can be used on websites, and other digital devices, for example, a book with large print would have text that is easily readable, for people with visual impairments.
Legibility refers to the ease with which text can be read, it is an important as… #
Legibility refers to the ease with which text can be read, it is an important aspect of accessible design, as it can affect the readability of text, legibility can be affected by factors such as font size, color contrast, and font style, for example, a website with high legibility would have text that is easily readable, against a background that is easily visible.
Mobility Impairment refers to a physical impairment that affects a person's abil… #
Mobility Impairment refers to a physical impairment that affects a person's ability to move, it can include conditions such as paralysis, or arthritis, mobility impairments can affect people in different ways, for example, a person with a mobility impairment might use a wheelchair, or a walker.
Older Adults refer to people who are 65 years or older, they may experience age #
related impairments, such as hearing loss, or visual impairments, older adults may also experience other types of impairments, such as cognitive impairments, or mobility impairments, for example, an older adult with a visual impairment might use a screen reader, to access digital information.
People with Disabilities refer to individuals who have a physical, mental, or se… #
People with Disabilities refer to individuals who have a physical, mental, or sensory impairment that affects their ability to participate fully in society, people with disabilities may experience a wide range of impairments, including mobility impairments, sensory impairments, and cognitive impairments, for example, a person with a physical disability might use a wheelchair, while a person with a sensory disability might use a hearing aid.
Readability refers to the ease with which text can be read, it is an important a… #
Readability refers to the ease with which text can be read, it is an important aspect of accessible design, as it can affect the usability of a website, readability can be affected by factors such as font size, color contrast, and font style, for example, a website with high readability would have text that is easily readable, against a background that is easily visible.
Screen Reader is a software program that reads aloud the text on a computer scre… #
Screen Reader is a software program that reads aloud the text on a computer screen, it is often used to assist people who are blind or have low vision, screen readers can be used on a variety of devices, including computers, smartphones, and tablets, for example, a screen reader might read aloud the text on a website, or a document.
Sensory Impairment refers to a impairment that affects a person's ability to per… #
Sensory Impairment refers to a impairment that affects a person's ability to perceive the world, it can include conditions such as blindness, or deafness, sensory impairments can affect people in different ways, for example, a person with a sensory impairment might use a screen reader, or a hearing aid.
Simple Language is a type of language that is easily understandable, it i… #
Simple Language is a type of language that is easily understandable, it is often used to assist people with cognitive impairments, or people who are not fluent in the language, simple language can be used on websites, and other digital devices, for example, a website with simple language would have text that is easily readable, and easily understandable.
Subtitles are text displays that appear on screen, they provide a visual represe… #
Subtitles are text displays that appear on screen, they provide a visual representation of the audio content, such as dialogue, and sound effects, subtitles are often used to assist people who are deaf or hard of hearing, they can also be used to assist people who are learning a new language, or who are in a noisy environment, for example, a video with subtitles would display text on the screen, that corresponds to the audio content.
Tactile Graphics are images that are raised, they can be used to assist people w… #
Tactile Graphics are images that are raised, they can be used to assist people who are blind or have low vision, tactile graphics can be used on a variety of devices, including maps, and diagrams, for example, a tactile map might provide a raised image of a building, or a city.
Universal Design is a design approach that aims to create products, services, an… #
Universal Design is a design approach that aims to create products, services, and environments that are usable by everyone, regardless of their abilities, it involves considering the needs of people with disabilities, as well as older people, and people with temporary disabilities, universal design is a key concept in the Certificate in Inclusive Design and Accessibility, for example, a building with ramps and elevators is an example of universal design, as it allows people with mobility impairments to access the building.
Usability refers to the ease with which a product, service, or environment can b… #
Usability refers to the ease with which a product, service, or environment can be used, it is an important aspect of accessible design, as it can affect the usability of a website, usability can be affected by factors such as navigation, and interface design, for example, a website with high usability would have menus that are easily usable, and links that are easily visible.
Visual Impairment refers to a impairment that affects a person's ability to see,… #
Visual Impairment refers to a impairment that affects a person's ability to see, it can include conditions such as blindness, or low vision, visual impairments can affect people in different ways, for example, a person with a visual impairment might use a screen reader, or a cane.
Web Accessibility Initiative is a project that aims to improve the accessibility… #
Web Accessibility Initiative is a project that aims to improve the accessibility of the web, it provides guidelines and resources for developers, and other professionals, to help them create accessible websites, and other digital environments, for example, the WAI might provide guidelines for creating accessible websites, or mobile applications.
Web Content Accessibility Guidelines are a set of guidelines that provide a fram… #
Web Content Accessibility Guidelines are a set of guidelines that provide a framework for creating accessible web content, they cover a wide range of topics, including perceivable information, operable navigation, and understandable content, for example, the WCAG might provide guidelines for creating accessible images, or videos.