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The terms “universal design” and “accessible design” are sometimes used interchangeably, but they are not the same.
Accessible design, mandated for public spaces by federal law under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), involves creating an environment that is barrier-free, and is primarily aimed at the wheelchair-bound and disabled.
Universal design, while incorporating the spirit and some of the features of accessible design, has a broader scope. Universal design intends to create an environment that functions appropriately for all, regardless of physical capacity. This would include, for example, people with arthritic conditions; the elderly, injured, or movement-impaired; as well as small children.
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