Universal design means simply designing all products, buildings and

exterior spaces to be usable by all people to the greatest extent possible.
It is advanced here as a sensible and economical way to reconcile the
artistic integrity of a design with human needs in the environment.
Solutions which result in no additional cost and no noticeable
change in appearance can come about from knowledge about people,
simple planning and careful selection of conventional products.
In addition to fixed, universally designed features, designers
may include adaptable elements. These can be easily and economically
added or removed when needed for a specific user. Such flexible
facilities and products are usable by almost everyone and are thus
significantly more marketable.
Universal and adaptable features are generally no more
expensive than traditional features if incorporated by the designer at
the programming and conceptual stages. The cost-conscious designer
must consider and advise clients concerning not only construction
costs related to accessibility, but also the long-term costs of ignoring
a potentially huge segment of the population. Clients must also be
made aware of the trend toward stricter accessibility standards in
employment, housing, education and public services.
Many recent innovations in technology have made it easier
for designers to specify both universal and specialized components.
As the construction and manufacturing industries respond to the
aging of the population and new legal strictures, “better for everyone”
and “planning ahead for your family’s needs” will begin to
replace “handicapped” and “elderly” as marketing approaches.
As comfort, safety, and flexibility become more important
key words in advertising, emerging technologies will continue to
respond to the needs of people of all ages, abilities and sizes.
Designers will be faced with a choice: reluctant compliance with
minimum accessibility standards, or a positive, sensitive offering
of universal design services.