Universal design is that designers remove the obstacles in design before learners learn, so that learners can learn without obstacles. This obstacle is not the perceptual limitation of learners themselves.
The principle of universal design is that learning should have multiple ways of expression and multiple ways of action and participation. Learning designers can provide courses with availability and flexibility to enhance learners’ natural advantages and reduce obstacles.
Transforming our focus on solving individual learners’ problems into how to benefit a larger learning group is the core of universal design.
Universal design can be seen everywhere in life, such as the application of GPS, global positioning system to provide us with timely information, in the most effective way to reach where we want to go.
Another common example is curb cutting. When the curb is tilted to facilitate wheelchair users to enter, it can also benefit users of strollers, bicycles, scooters and roller skates.
Even “fairness” theory is one of the most common applications of universal design. Everyone’s needs are different, we should not use the same standard to measure everyone, and then universal design emphasizes that we try to meet everyone according to different needs.
General technology also provides many different choices for learning designers. For example, digital media is more inclusive than print options. Microphones and loudspeakers installed in the classroom can be applied to students in all situations, reducing learning disabilities.
Google documents can not only have the function of voice to text, but also keep the classroom records and discussions.
If we observe carefully, there are universal designs everywhere in our life, such as buses, roads and so on.
We can see the importance of universal design, because it’s essential for some people, but it’s good for almost everyone. We live in an inclusive era. Personalization will not be the mainstream. Only when it is suitable for everyone and the public can it be accepted and recognized by the society, which is also the necessity of the existence of general technology.
To a certain extent, general technology is an embodiment and application of the maximization of benefits or benefits in economics, which is in line with the principles of social development.
Universal Design