Universal Design Principle #4

The 7 Principles of Universal Design were developed in 1997 by a working group of architects, product designers, engineers and environmental design researchers, led by the late Ronald Mace in the North Carolina State University. The purpose of the Principles is to guide the design of environments, products and communications. According to the Center for Universal Design in NCSU, the Principles “may be applied to evaluate existing designs, guide the design process and educate both designers and consumers about the characteristics of more usable products and environments.” (1)

This page will be focusing on Universal Design Principle number 4, perceptible information. This principle more specifically focus on making information as easily accessible for users as possible, regardless of their sensory abilities or any limitations that they might have. Examples of this could include but are not limited to:

Using redundant information to give a variety of options for the user to take in the content, such as pictures, video and text, all on the same page.
Ensuring that contrast between the text and background colors are easy to read, improving legibility.
Compatibility with a wide variety of techniques.
Ultimately providing essential information in the most accessible and legible way possible for all users. (2)

More on why Universal Design Principles are important from a TED talk by Michael Nesmith.