“Universal design is the design of products and environments to be usable by all people to the greatest extent possible, without the need for adaptation or specialized design” – Ron Mace
Universal Design (UD) principles can be applied to products and environments to meet the needs of potential users with a wide variety of characteristics and abilities.
UD has been applied to education to provide an innovative and inclusive approach to meeting the needs of students with disabilities or medical conditions. UD improves access to all aspects of education, and reduces the need for students to seek individual study accommodations.
Universal Design at Curtin
Curtin seeks to become a Centre for Excellence in Universal Design. The principles of universal design underpin Curtin’s Disability Access and Inclusion Plan (DAIP) and staff development regarding disability issues.
Our vision
Curtin aims to be the most accessible university campus in Australia by 2030.
More information
- Universal Design in education (ADCET website)
- Universal Design of instruction: definition, principles and examples (Sheryl Burgstahler, PhD)
- Centre for Excellence in Universal Design, Dublin
- CAST Universal Design for Learning
- Center for Universal Design in Education, University of Washington
Fact sheet: Universal design [36.85 kb]