ID 492T: Special Topics in Universal Design©

Molly Follette Story, M.S.
Research Associate Professor, Industrial Design
North Carolina State University
Raleigh, North Carolina, USA

Course type (studio, lecture, seminar, etc.)

Online (Internet) course; 3 semester credit hours offered

Level at which course is taught, number of students enrolled

Basic level
Number of students = 5 to 20

Special space or equipment requirements

Access to computer with an Internet connection;
Ability to take digital photographs or have photographs processed into digital format

Course Description

This is an Internet-based introductory course on universal design and is appropriate for a broad audience. The purpose of this course is to give students a basic understanding of the concepts and Principles of Universal Design, and the benefits of the approach for people with disabilities and for all individuals. Students will be introduced to the history of universal design, the broad range of human abilities, and numerous real-world examples of designs that satisfy the Principles. By the end of the course, students should have an appreciation for the diversity of the human race, and be able to recognize universal design as well as unnecessary obstacles that may be designed into products and environments when usability is not considered. The course is based on and taught from the book, co-authored by the course instructor, titled The Universal Design File: Designing for People of All Ages and Abilities.

Course Schedule

Week ONe

Overview of the Course
Introduction to the Medium
Assignment:
Use site features;
Introduce self to class on online Message Board;
Select a relevant Internet site to review

Week Two

Introduction to the Topic and Appropriate Terminology
Assignment:
Reading assignments;
Review an Internet site

Week Three

The History of Universal Design and Accessibility
Assignment:
Reading assignments;
Answer instructor's questions on Message Board

Week Four

The Range of Human Abilities
Assignment:
Reading assignments;
Answer instructor's questions on Message Board

Week Five

The Diversity that Surrounds You
Assignment:
Go spend time with an individual in your community whose abilities are different from your own and analyze the effects of design on (dis)abilities;
Write a report on your experience

Week Six

The Principles of Universal Design
Assignment:
Complete User/Expert Report

Week Seven

Principle #1: Equitable Use
Assignment:
Reading assignment;
Find, photograph, describe and critique a design example of Principle #1

Week Eight

Principle #2: Flexibility in Use
Assignment:
Reading assignment;
Find, photograph, describe and critique a design example of Principle #2

Week Nine

Principle #3: Simple and Intuitive Use
Assignment:
Reading assignment;
Find, photograph, describe and critique a design example of Principle #3

Week Ten

SPRING BREAK

Week Eleven

Principle #4: Perceptible Information
Assignment:
Reading assignment;
Find, photograph, describe and critique a design example of Principle #4

Week Twelve

Principle #5: Tolerance for Error
Assignment:
Reading assignment;
Find, photograph, describe and critique a design example of Principle #5

Week Thirteen

Principle #6: Low Physical Effort
Assignment:
Reading assignment;
Find, photograph, describe and critique a design example of Principle #6

Week Fourteen

Principle #7: Size and Space for Approach and Use
Assignment:
Reading assignment;
Find, photograph, describe and critique a design example of Principle #7

Week Fifteen

Tying it All Together
Assignment:
Final Project (week 1 of 2):
Redesign an imperfect design example

Week Sixteen

Tying it All Together
Assignment:
Final Project due

Week Seventeen

"Dead Week"
Course Wrap-Up
Assignment:
Comment on all other students' redesigns on online Message Board

Contact Information

For more information, contact Molly Story at molly_story@ncsu.edu.

Read the Forum on this Subject

Citation: Story, Molly Follette (2002). ID 492T: Special Topics in Universal Design © . Retrieved (Enter Date), from Universal Design Education Online web site: http://www.udeducation.org/teach/course_outlines/courses_focus/story.asp