1.8.2. Design Goals

The design is useful and marketable to people with diverse abilities.

Design Goals: • Avoid segregation or stigmatization of any users. • Provide the same means of use for all users — identical whenever possible; equivalent when not. • Ensure privacy, security, and safety are equally available to all users.

Examples in Civil Engineering: • Automatic doors at entrances allow both people with disabilities and able-bodied individuals to enter without assistance. • Digital pedestrian signals with audio and visual outputs benefit both visually impaired and hearing-impaired users. • Multi-height counters in public buildings or customer service points that serve people in wheelchairs as well as standing individuals.

Equitable use is a principle of Universal Design that emphasizes designing for everyone, regardless of their abilities. The key goals include preventing discrimination against any user group and providing equal access. This means facilities should be designed so that everyone can use them without feeling marginalized. For instance, a building with automatic doors is helpful for all users, including those with mobility challenges. Similarly, having counters at different heights ensures that both wheelchair users and standing visitors can effectively reach them.

Imagine entering a café. If there are only manual doors, those who use wheelchairs or have mobility issues would struggle to get in. But if the café has automatic doors, it welcomes everyone, making the experience more inviting. This is just like having a friend who makes sure everyone can join in a game, regardless of their skills.

The design accommodates a wide range of individual preferences and abilities.

Design Goals: • Provide choice in methods of use. • Accommodate right- or left-handed access and use. • Facilitate user accuracy and precision. • Adapt to the user’s pace.

Examples in Civil Engineering: • ATM machines with tactile keypads, audio outputs, and adjustable screen angles. • Staircases with handrails on both sides to support left and right-handed individuals or people with reduced grip. • Adjustable lighting in public spaces that helps individuals with varying degrees of visual sensitivity.

Flexibility in use refers to designing products and environments that cater to various individual needs and preferences. The design should allow users to choose how they interact with equipment and spaces. For instance, ATMs can feature options like audio instructions and tactile keypads for visually impaired individuals. Having handrails on both sides of a staircase helps ensure that individuals using either hand can safely navigate up and down.

Think of a buffet where there's a variety of food options to accommodate everyone's taste. Just like diners can choose what they want, flexible design allows users to adjust their interactions based on their preferences and capabilities—whether they want to use their left hand or right hand to hold onto a railing.

Use of the design is easy to understand, regardless of the user’s experience, knowledge, language skills, or current concentration level.

Design Goals: • Eliminate unnecessary complexity. • Be consistent with user expectations and intuition. • Accommodate a wide range of literacy and language skills. • Provide feedback to the user.

Examples in Civil Engineering: • Pictograms on signage that convey messages universally (e.g., restrooms, exits, emergency information). • One-touch pedestrian crossing buttons with LED feedback. • Color-coded and labeled floor plans in buildings for easy navigation.

This principle underscores that using a design should not require advanced knowledge or skills. A design should be straightforward so that users can easily figure it out at first glance. For instance, using simple images or symbols on signs helps people understand directions without needing to read complex text. Likewise, buttons that light up or make sounds provide clear feedback on actions.

Imagine opening a new game on a console. If the controls are complicated and not straightforward, it can be frustrating. But if it uses clear symbols and easy-to-follow instructions, you can start playing right away. Signage in public spaces should be as intuitive as a welcoming video game menu.

The design communicates necessary information effectively to the user, regardless of ambient conditions or the user’s sensory abilities.

Design Goals: • Use different modes (pictorial, verbal, tactile) for redundant presentation of essential information. • Provide adequate contrast between essential information and surroundings. • Maximize legibility of essential information. • Differentiate elements in ways that can be described (i.e., make it easy to give instructions or directions).

Examples in Civil Engineering: • Tactile paving on footpaths and at pedestrian crossings for visually impaired individuals. • Emergency evacuation signs that include both audio alarms and flashing lights. • Contrasting colors and textures on stairs and walkways to enhance visibility for the elderly or visually impaired.

Perceptible information means that designs should clearly convey necessary messages to all users, considering their different sensory abilities. This may involve using visuals, sounds, or textures to ensure understanding. For instance, tactile paving alerts visually impaired individuals to upcoming hazards, while color contrasts help those with limited vision differentiate spaces.

Imagine walking through a bustling train station. If signs use bright colors and clear symbols, it's easy to find your way around. But if they only use small text, it might be challenging, especially when it's crowded and loud. Good design is like having a friend guiding you with clear cues in a busy place.

The design minimizes hazards and the adverse consequences of accidental or unintended actions.

Design Goals: • Arrange elements to minimize hazards and errors. • Provide warnings of hazards and errors. • Provide fail-safe features. • Discourage unconscious action in tasks that require vigilance.

Examples in Civil Engineering: • Railings and barriers on elevated walkways or balconies to prevent falls. • Non-slip surfaces in wet areas such as bathrooms and swimming pool zones. • Gradual curbs and ramps with tactile warning strips near vehicular roads.

This principle emphasizes reducing risks associated with design usage. By anticipating potential errors and creating fail-safes, designers can make environments safer. For example, non-slip surfaces keep users from slipping in wet areas, and railings prevent falls from heights. These measures help protect everyone, promoting safe navigation in public spaces.

Think about riding a bike. If you ride on a smooth path without holes or bumps, you're less likely to fall. Conversely, a rocky, uneven surface poses many risks. Similarly, in design, creating safe pathways minimizes accidents, just like maintaining safe bike routes ensures riders get home safely.

The design can be used efficiently and comfortably, with a minimum of fatigue.

Design Goals: • Allow user to maintain a neutral body position. • Use reasonable operating forces. • Minimize repetitive actions. • Minimize sustained physical effort.

Examples in Civil Engineering: • Lever-style door handles instead of round knobs, which require less grip strength. • Push-button elevators placed at accessible heights. • Public washbasins with motion sensor faucets.

Low physical effort in design means that tasks should be easy and require minimal strain on the body. This can involve using lever-style door handles, which are easier to operate than knobs, or ensuring that light switches are positioned conveniently. The goal is to help users perform actions without excessive physical demands, accommodating all abilities.

Think about lifting a heavy box. If it’s awkward and requires an uncomfortable position, it’s exhausting. But if it's designed to be lightweight and easy to grasp, moving it becomes manageable. Similarly, good design makes everyday interactions smooth without straining users.

Appropriate size and space is provided for approach, reach, manipulation, and use regardless of user’s body size, posture, or mobility.

Design Goals: • Provide a clear line of sight to important elements for any seated or standing user. • Make reach to all components comfortable for all users. • Accommodate variations in hand and grip size. • Provide adequate space for assistive devices or personal assistance.

Examples in Civil Engineering: • Wide doorways and corridors to accommodate wheelchairs and mobility aids. • Accessible parking spaces with adjacent access aisles. • Restrooms with turning space for wheelchairs and grab bars for assistance.

This principle emphasizes that all users should have adequate space to navigate and use spaces comfortably, regardless of their size or mobility. This includes designing doorways wide enough for wheelchairs and ensuring that parking spaces allow easy access for individuals with disabilities. Such designs make environments more inclusive.

Imagine trying to squeeze through a small door with a backpack. If the door is wide enough, it’s easy to pass through. But if it’s too narrow, you’ll struggle. Designers must think about making spaces accommodating so that everyone, regardless of their needs, can move freely.

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