World Blind Union Office
1929 Bayview Avenue
Toronto, ON M4G 3E8
Telephone: 1-416-486-9698
Fax: 1-416-486-8107
E-mail: info@wbuoffice.org
WBU External Resource Paper
Universal Design
Approval:
Replaces: Universal Design Paper
Date Reviewed: April 2015
Author: Martine Abel-Williamson
E-mail: martine.abel@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz
Note:
Executive Summary:
Guidelines and recommendations for a built environment that is
barrier free and inclusive for persons who are blind and
partially sighted. Matters covered:
1. Universal design principles;
2. Adequate lighting;
3. Colour contrast;
4. Acoustics;
5. Signage;
6. Hazards of protruding objects;
7. Detectable warning surfaces.
8. Audible pedestrian signals;
9. Quiet vehicles;
0. Accessible automatic teller, transport ticketing and other
similar machines and kiosks.
11. Transport hubs;
12. Other resources
1. Creating a Barrier Free Society
Creating a barrier free society for persons who are blind and
partially sighted is a goal of the World Blind Union. Over the
years a great deal of attention has been given to the
accessibility requirements of persons with ambulatory
impairments however the need to create a barrier free society
for persons who are blind and partially sighted is equally
important and not to be forgotten.
In more recent years a movement known as "Universal Design"
has evolved. 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.
Universal design is based on the principle that, the built
environment, communication and products should be accessible
to the widest range of people possible. Universal design is
different from accessible design in that accessible design
creates products and environments for people with disabilities,
which often tend to segregate people creating separate
systems. Universal design is considered to be usable and
inclusive to all, including disabled people.
Although the concept of universal design is well documented,
the unique design needs of persons who are blind and partially
sighted have not always been fully considered or incorporated
into the built environment.
It is important to note that many countries have developed
excellent laws, standards, guidelines and recommendations
governing the accessibility requirements. (Please see websites
and material noted at the end of this document)
Standardisation and enforcement are vital, as this will ensure
consistency and compliance, although it should be
acknowledged that adhering to best practice design is
preferable to mere minimum standard compliance.
To establish and develop standards and best practice
examples, engagement and consultation should take place with
technical experts, blindness service providers and blindness
consumer organisations to ensure buy-in and to support the
principle of consumer centred co-design and relevance.
As political and commercial buy-in and traction are vital,
relationships with local and central government agencies,
academia and architectural and design schools, as well as the
business and corporate sectors should be maintained.
Schemes and programmes that include insentivising, design
competitions and a commitment to ongoing research are to be
encouraged and progressed at all times.
2. Universal design principles:
PRINCIPLE ONE: Equitable Use;
The design is useful and marketable to people with diverse
abilities.
PRINCIPLE TWO: Flexibility in Use
The design accommodates a wide range of individual
preferences and abilities.
PRINCIPLE THREE: Simple and Intuitive Use
Use of the design is easy to understand, regardless of the
user’s experience, knowledge, language skills, or current
concentration level.
PRINCIPLE FOUR: Perceptible Information
The design communicates necessary information effectively to
the user, regardless of ambient conditions or the user’s sensory
abilities.
PRINCIPLE FIVE: Tolerance for Error
The design minimizes hazards and the adverse consequences
of accidental or unintended actions.
PRINCIPLE SIX: Low Physical Effort
The design can be used efficiently and comfortably and with a
minimum of fatigue.
PRINCIPLE SEVEN: Size and Space for Approach and Use
Appropriate size and space is provided for approach, reach,
manipulation, and use regardless of user’s body size, posture,
or mobility.
Please note that the Principles of Universal Design address only
universally usable design, while the practice of design involves
more than consideration for usability. Designers must also
incorporate other considerations such as economic,
engineering, cultural, gender, and environmental concerns in
their design processes. These Principles offer designers
guidance to better integrate features that meet the needs of as
many users as possible.
The information that follows provides guidelines and
recommendations on key areas related to the built
environment for people who are blind and partially sighted.
These areas are key in creating a built environment that is
barrier free and inclusive for persons who are blind and
partially sighted.
Note that the field of technological mobile apps in the
areas of global positioning systems (GPs), way-finding
and other similar topics are expanding and growing very
fast, so, this document will not be covering how those
can be more accessibly designed.
3. Lighting
Adequate lighting is the single most important aid to vision.
The lighting needs of persons who are blind or visually
impaired vary according to particular eye conditions. One level
of light might work well for a person with glaucoma and be too
low for someone with macular degeneration. In addition, glare
can be a significant issue for those with many types of eye
conditions such as glaucoma, cataract and macular
degeneration. Issues such as the direction of light and its
reflection on shiny surface need to be taken into consideration.
The use of variable lighting controls, indirect lighting and
window shades can mitigate issues caused by glare.
4. Colour Contrast
Colour contrast is another key component in designing spaces
for persons who are partially sighted; its importance cannot be
overemphasized enough. A building can be logically laid out,
include proper use of signage, provide good lighting but the
building can cause disorientation if there is very little use of
colour contrast within the building. Colour can be used
effectively for many purposes such as:
 To draw attention to signage.
 To define a route of travel.
 To define areas.
Colour contrasting items, is also a very effective means in
defining spaces. A colour contrast of 70% is generally
accepted in many countries as the preferred amount to define
items such as:
 A dark door frames, against a light door and a light wall.
 A light floor colour with a dark perimeter against a light
coloured wall.
 Hand rails that colour contrast with the surrounding wall
colour.
 Stair identification is best for partially sighted individuals
when a colour-contrasted edge is provided. Consistent
stair height is also important in assisting blind and
partially sighted individuals in navigating stairways.
 Furniture that is colour contrasted with the floor and walls
assists in locating furniture.
5. Acoustics
Sounds can assist in providing orientation clues about a space.
A person can use reflected sound to determine a room size, the
presence of corridors and proximity of walls or other structural
barriers.
Inappropriate use of sound can create problems such as high
levels of ambient sound or high levels of reflective sound.
Some things to consider when planning space are:
 Well-defined, acoustically alive spaces are easier for
people who are blind to negotiate safely. Position items
such as escalators, fountains, and elevators to create
useful sounds.
 Carpets, acoustic tiles and furniture reduce sound
reflectance. Consideration should be given to providing
some reverberation so that people can obtain a feel of the
space.
 Noise sources may mask sounds intended to provide
directional cues, such as ventilation ducts or airconditioning units. These sounds may be useful, however
they should not obscure the sound of an elevator.
 Sound reflections are frequently a good source of auditory
cues.
6. Signage
Tactile signs
Information on signs should be available for persons who are
blind and partially sighted. It is commonly considered adequate
for tactile signs to consist of raised characters only. However,
Braille can be read so much faster and easier than raised print
for those who read it. A best practice in some countries is to
include raised print and Braille in signage that identifies rooms
or spaces such as auditoriums, cafeterias, washrooms and floor
numbers, both inside as well as outside elevators.
Signage should be consistently located at a height and distance
from the door to which it defines. The raised tactile lettering
should be colour contrasted with the background. The sign
should be colour contrasted with the surrounding wall surface
and sign lettering, in addition to being tactile, should also be
high contrast.
7. Protruding Objects
Objects that protrude into paths of travel can be hazardous to
persons who are visually impaired as they may not be
detectable by white canes. In many cases protruding objects
consist of:
·
Signs
·
Canopies
·
Underside of stairs
·
Drinking fountains
·
Items protruding from walls
·
Over hanging branches
·
Telephone booths
Consideration should be given to eliminating these hazards
such as:
 Placing a railing or planters below the underside of stairs.
 Ensuing all overhangs are removed within a certain height
range.
 Telephone booths and drinking fountains are cane
detectable. This can be achieved by placing an object at
floor level.
8. Detectable Warning Surfaces
Detectable warning surfaces have a texture that can be felt
under foot or detected by a person using a long cane. The
texture is usually built in or applied. The texture alerts a
person who is partially sighted to a hazard.
Detectable warning surfaces should be used on unprotected
platforms, around reflecting pools, top of stairs, and curb
ramps.
Detectable warnings should be consistently used to identify
features in the built environment.
9. Audible Pedestrian Signals (APS)
Accessible Pedestrian Signals are common in many countries
and can assist people in knowing when it is legal to cross an
intersection.
APS's should meet the following standards:
 APS should be standard throughout a country or region.
 APS should provide both audible and verbal tactile
information so that they are usable by person's who are
deaf-blind.
 All light controlled intersections should have APS's, so that
travellers who are partially sighted will always know they
are available.
 APS's should not require a user to have special equipment
to use them.
 APS's could be pedestrian activated or automated.
 APS' s should emit a sound during the wait phase to help
people to locate the button to actuate the sound.
10.
Quiet vehicles:
The emergence of quiet transport vehicles such as hybrid
and/or electric cars poses difficulty for blind and partially
sighted individuals as these vehicles do not produce sufficient
sound for identification. Such vehicles should be fitted with:
audible vehicle alerting systems that produce sounds of
adequate decibles to alert pedestrians of their approach; pitch
shifting to alert a pedestrian that the vehicle is accelerating;
and sound at stationary to alert pedestrians to the presence of
a vehicle that may begin moving at any moment.
11.
Automatic teller, transport ticketing and similar
machines and kiosk equipment:
A movement is underway to develop a variety of machines that
are accessible to people who are blind and partially sighted.
When considering the machine requirements of those who are
blind and partially sighted, consideration should be given to the
following:
 Consistent layout and design.
 Access cards to have specific markings to distinguish
those from others, as people may end up owning a
number of different cards. A notch or added tactile pattern
in one corner of the card are examples of identifying
markers
 All portals should have tactile graphics that are colour
contrasted with the background symbol to identify them.
 Characters and symbols on the keys should be visually
contrasted with the background and as large as the area
on the key permits and have a sans serif font
 Each key press should be acknowledged visually audibly
and by tactile registration
 The keypad should be telephone style, have the number
five with a raised dot. The function keys should be
separated by at least three times the distance from the
numeric keys, and the surface should be such that it
minimizes glare and is placed on an angle.
 The function keys should be placed to the right of the
numeric keys and be arranged vertically, top to bottom, in
the following order Cancel, correction, OK/Enter
 Raised tactile symbols should be used to identify the
function keys, either to the right or on the key itself.
Using the following symbols: cancel X- correction- raised
arrow<, and OK/ enter-raised circle O. Each function key
if coloured should be Cancel red correction, yellow and
OK/enter- green.
 The functional display keys should correspond with the
screen instructions, have a surface that minimizes glare
and have leader lines that contrast with their background.
 There should be an audio interface that is provided. The
audio interface should have a socket with a raised ridge or
a telephone hand set. The audio display should provide
an orientation of the automated machine. The audio
communication should be in the lower frequency range.
 Information printed by such machines should be a
minimum of 14 point font size.
 Screen and printed material should contrast with the
background. The text should use sans serif font and be
mix an upper and lower text. Decimals and commas
should be larger than normally used. Known advertising
should be displayed with in the instructional area.
12.
Transport hubs:
Transport hubs such as bus shelters, ferry terminals and train
stations need to be accessibly designed during the
environmental planning stage, as physical upgrades might end
up being costly and insufficient.
13.
Further information
Following is a list of Recommended Websites and Material
Websites:
www.access-board.gov/adaag/html/adaag.html
www.ap.buffal.edu/idea/publications/udnypdf.htm
www.tiresais.org/terminal.htm
www.tiresais.org/tdiff.htm
www.design.ncsu.edu:8120/cud/univ_design/princ_overview.ht
m
www.design.ncsu.edu/cud/
www.inclusive-enviroments.com
www.jmuaccess.org.uk
www.csa.ca
Publications
Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB), Clearing our
Path ISBN 0-921122-28-4 August 1998 contact CNIB 416 413 9480
Transportation Development Centre, Going Places ISBN 092112222-5 August 1997 contact CNIB 416 413-9480.
U.S. Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance
Board. Building a True Community Final Report Public- Rightsof Way. Access Advisory Committee.
The Canadian Institute on Barrier free Design and Betty Doing
Enterprises LTD, International Best Practices In Universal
Design: A comparative Study, March 2000
Canadian Standards Association, B651.1-01 Barrier Free
Design for Automated Banking Machines February 2001
http://www.ncsu.edu/ncsu/design/cud/about_ud/udprinciples.h
tm
and Guidelines for use:
http://www.ncsu.edu/ncsu/design/cud/about_ud/docs/use_gui
delines.pdf
The Principles of Universal Design should be cited as follows:
“The Center for
Universal Design (1997). The Principles of Universal Design,
Version 2.0. Raleigh,
NC: North Carolina State University.”
Accessible Signage Guidelines, Second Edition, Blind
Foundation
http://www.rnzfb.org.nz/about/businessservices/environmental-design-advisory/accessible-signage
NZTA Pedestrian Planning and Design Guide
http://www.nzta.govt.nz/resources/pedestrian-planning-guide/
NZ Standard 4121: 2001 Design for access and mobility –
buildings and associated facilities and the associated amended
checklist published by the Barrier Free Trust
http://www.standards.co.nz/assets/Publication-files/NZS41212001.pdf
http://www.barrierfreenz.org.nz/i/41f9b745b6162acd.pdf
ISO/IEC 7811-9:2008
Identification cards -- Recording technique -- Part 9: Tactile
identifier mark
Abstract
ISO/IEC 7811 defines the characteristics of identification cards.
ISO/IEC 7811-9:2008 specifies the physical characteristics of a
tactile identifier mark used by visually-impaired card holders to
distinguish their cards. It defines the area on the card for the
tactile identifier mark (TIM) and the layout of Braille style
embossed dots arranged in patterns to enable easy tactile
recognition.
ISO/IEC 12905:2011
Integrated circuit cards -- Enhanced terminal accessibility using
cardholder preference interface
Abstract
ISO/IEC 12905:2011 specifies a set of data elements to be
personalized into an integrated circuit card, encoding
cardholder preferences. These data elements are to be
retrieved from the card and to be used to indicate to the
terminal that the user has special needs regarding the user
interface. It is not intended to standardize the actual
application programming interface or other terminal-specific
software allowing the functionality, nor does it cover the actual
alignment of the card to the card-reader slot.
ISO/IEC 12905:2011 is independent of the physical interface
and is applicable to situations where the cardholder operates
the card-accepting equipment (e.g. a cash dispenser, ticket
machine, vending machine). It applies not only to ID-1 type
cards, but also to SIM/UIM (ID-000) on mobile phones and
form-factor-free contactless integrated circuit cards which are
specified in ISO/IEC 14443.
ISO/IEC 12905:2011 comprises:
•data elements containing the user preferences,
•the storage/retrieval formats for input and output of these
data elements,
•security related to the information contained in these data
elements,
•the access method to these data elements, and
•protection of cardholder information.
ISO/IEC 12905:2011/Cor 1:2013
General information
Revisions
Corrigenda / Amendments