Universal Design Perspective Research Articles

Improvements in Web Sites Color of Domestic University Hospital from the Perspective of Universal Design

본 연구는 지식과 정보가 곧 경쟁력이 되고 있는 현대사회에서 다양성을 지닌 사용자들이 웹사이트를 통하여 더욱 쉽고 편하게 정보를 이용할 수 있도록 유니버설디자인의 관점에서 대학병원 웹사이트의 컬러를 개선하고자 하였다. 웹사이트는 우리에게 많은 편익을 제공하고 있지만, 시각적 결함이 있는 색각이상자는 컬러 때문에 웹의 정보를 혼동하거나 구별하지 못할 수 있다. 이러한 관점에서 본 연구는 색각이상자뿐만 아니라, 모두의 평등한 정보 접근을 위하여 유니버설디자인의 관점에서 4곳의 대학병원 웹사이트의 컬러를 분석하였다. 분석 기준은 웹 접근성 가이드라인에서 컬러에 관한 ‘인식의 용이성’ 지침에 근거하였고, 대학병원 웹사이트에서 사용자의 이용 빈도가 높은 인터넷 진료예약 화면을 색각이 상자의 시각에서 재현하여 분석하였다. 그리고 이 분석결과를 바탕으로 색각이상자들이 쉽게 인식할 수 있는 개선컬러를 제안하였다. 색각이상자를 위해 컬러 환경이 향상된 웹디자인에서 사용자는 오류 없이 정보를 쉽고 편하게 이용할 수 있으며, 유니버설 웹디자인의 실현은 더 많은 사람에게 접근성 및 사용성을 확대할 기회를 제공해 줄 것이다.

대구광역시 신천의 친수공간 평가 연구 - 유니버설디자인 개념을 중심으로 -

The purpose of this study is to derive a desirable riverfront construction plan to me for the activities of citizens through the evaluation and analysis of the urban riverfront space from the perspective of universal design. Therefore, previous studies were examined in order to induce evaluation tools that bhve been grafted from the universal design concept; in addition, a field survey was conducted in Shincheon, Daegu, which was selected as the study target, in order to induce problems and improvement directions from the perspective of universal design. The major results can be summarized as follows. (1) In the `fairness` aspect, all the items such as installation of integrated functional signage, showing pictures, symbols, foreign language signs, and restroom entrances signage were determined to be `All Unsuitable` for all sections; and therefore, it is necessary to improve the fairness of usage for everybody. (2) In the `Functionality(Usability)` aspect, all items such as installation of bicycle paths beside access roads, installation of integrated functional signs, and night light signs were determined to be `All Unsuitable` for all sections; therefore, it is necessary to improve the functionalities of these facilities. (3) In the `Convenience` aspect, all items such as the installation of bicycle parking areas, continuous rest facilities, and back and ann support(handles) at resting facilities were determined to be `All Unsuitable` for many sections; therefore, it is necessary to improve these facilities for the convenience of usage. (4) In the `Information(Recognizability)` aspect, all items such as showing pictures, symbols, foreign languages and installation of night light signs, and restroom entrances signage were determined to be `All Unsuitable` for all sections; therefore, it is necessary to improve the recognizability to minimize misunderstandings and confusion. (5) In the `Safety` aspect, all items such as the installation of safe pedestrian paths in parking areas, using anti-slip and shock absorption materials on restroom floors, and the continuous installation of pedestrian paths that are separate from bicycle paths were determined to be `All Unsuitable` for all sections; therefore, it is necessary to improve the safety to prevent accidents. (6) In the `Amenity` aspect, access roads, parking areas, hygiene facilities, convenience facilities, and waterside facilities for many sections were determined to be `All Unsuitable`; therefore, it is necessary to conduct more concentrated hygiene management. (7) In the `Accessibility(Mobility)` aspect, all items such as the installation of safe pedestrian paths in parking areas, and continuous pedestrian paths that are separate from bicycle paths were determined to be `All Unsuitable` for all sections; therefore, it is necessary to improve the accessibility to provide safety and convenience. (8) In the `Durability` aspect, access roads, parking areas, rest facilities, convenience facilities, fitness facilities, and waterside facilities were determined to be `All Unsuitable` for many sections, therefore, it is necessary to improve sunken or damaged areas by inspecting facilities by section.

Evaluation on Low-floor Bus Package Layout from the Perspective of Universal Design

Objective: The aim of this study is to suggest a package layout guideline for low-floor bus by interview with passengers and observations of their behavior. Background: Increasing attention has been introduced the low-floor bus to be more suitable for use by transportation handicapped. Complex issues are involved in providing comfortable services to all people. We are going to suggest package layout guidelines for more comfortable and suitable travel to all people. Method: The two times of survey and video observation sessions were conducted on low-floor buses in Seoul; (1) a finding of potential issues in the first session, (2) a confirming of issues from the last session. Results: The three of major issues were founded in this study; (1) difficulties in supporting body when standing, (2) difficulties in sitting on front wheel pan seat, (3) difficulties in passing through the aisle. Conclusion: There were clear differences between public and transportation handicapped in using some tools which are used for support body such as roof hand rails, side hand rails, and hand rail rings. Some of design problems were founded to improve from the perspective of ergonomics and universal design. Such differences and design guidelines have to be considered in bus design as well as commercial vehicle. Application: The proposed design guidelines can be used to development of low-floor bus and other public transportations.

주거시설의 유니버설 디자인을 위한 활동실태조사 및 불편 설계요소 개선 절차 제안

This study examined perceived discomforts encountered in residential facilities such as individual houses and apartments, and suggested a procedure for improving the problems in the living residence. The participants consisted of two groups of people: normal and underprivileged people; the underprivileged group was classified into 3 sub-groups: elderly people (over 65 years old), handicapped people and pregnant women. To identify inconvenient places and design factors in the residential housing, a total of 200 subjects (50 for each group) participated in the survey using the 7-point Likert scale. As a result, all the user groups mainly answered a high degree of discomfort due to narrow parking places, doorsills, and height differences between floors. The elderly, the handicapped, and the pregnant women replied that it is uncomfortable to use ramps and utility rooms. In a follow-up study, one-to-one in-depth interviews were conducted with some of the participants to analyze the detailed causes of inconvenient places and design factors. This study also suggested the procedure for solving the problems in various design factors from perspective of universal design, by considering prior studies which focused on a certain user group like the elderly. This procedure was suggested to consider as many user groups as possible at the same time. The results can be used to understand the discomforts of various user groups on residential housing. The procedure can also be used to develop universal design guidelines for the living residence.

The perspective of universal design for instruction and learning influenced on educational inclusion of students with disabilities

The perspective of universal design for instruction and learning influenced on educational inclusion of students with disabilities

Many become losers when the Universal Design perspective is neglected: Exploring the true cost of ignoring Universal Design principles

Many become losers when the Universal Design perspective is neglected: Exploring the true cost of ignoring Universal Design principles

Production of Large-print Textbooks and a Concept for Digital Textbooks from the Perspective of Universal Design

Production of Large-print Textbooks and a Concept for Digital Textbooks from the Perspective of Universal Design

Experiment of Color Schemes for the Elderly in Apartment Bathrooms

Suggested color combinations and actually existing color combinations for apartment bathrooms are empirically examined in this experiment to test the levels of color discernment for both normal and elderly vision. A YA3 filter was employed for simulating yellowed eyesight that commonly affects the color vision of the elderly. Results of the study imply most color combinations in apartment bathrooms found in Korea today are difficult to discern for both the elderly and young adults with normal vision. In elderly vision, the high discernment levels of the suggested combinations support the efficiency of the color schemes developed in the previous study. The color schemes were complemented and improved through analysis of other combinations, which showed low discernment levels in normal or elderly vision. In conclusion, with the perspective of universal design in mind, this study suggested color schemes that are easily discernable for both elderly and normal vision while maintaining the original mood.

Detection and modification of confusing color combinations for red‐green dichromats to achieve a color universal design

AbstractColor‐vision deficiency is a relatively common genetic condition, which often leads to the obstruction of necessary information in colored images. It is important to minimize such inconvenient effects in communication using colored images from a universal design perspective. The universal design principle stipulates that all environments and products should be usable by all people, regardless of age, physical attributes, and ability. This article proposes a method to detect color combinations in a given image that would confuse color dichromats, and suggests a way in which to modify them to make the image easily distinguishable for both normal and dichromatic observers. Confusing color combinations were detected based on a color‐difference calculation using simulations of how the color would appear to dichromats. The confusing colors were then modified based on the minimization of an evaluation function, which was defined as the sum of the degree of confusion and the degree of color change from the original image. Several colored images obtained by the proposed method were compared with the originals by red–green dichromatic observers who judged them to be clearer, thereby confirming that the proposed method was effective for color rendering for universal design. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Col Res Appl, 33, 203–211, 2008

Designing Independent Living Environments for Senior Age Clients

To introduce the principles involved in universal design to students in their first design studio, a project entitled “The Granny Flat” was initiated. A granny flat, or second unit, is a permanent, attached or detached addition to an existing single family dwelling. Granny flats include a kitchen, bathroom, living area, and sleeping area. They are designed with “barrier-free” access, and contain handrails, grab bars, nonslip and mark resistant flooring, and special cabinets to meet the needs of those in wheel chairs. The units are designed to provide the senior client with an independent living space while maintaining proximity to the family.Before beginning the design process, the students toured the Barlett Independent Living Lab (BILL) at Oklahoma State University. BILL is a typical ranch style residence, designed to incorporate the adaptive and/or assistive features often involved in universal design perspective. The design students were required to spend five minutes each in a wheelchair and maneuver themselves through the space.The final project presentation included: a site plan, a rendered furnishings board, a reflected ceiling plan, and a barrier-free and universal design research notebook. Students’ response to the project was very positive. They expressed an increased awareness of universal and barrier-free design concepts both verbally and visually throughout the design process. In addition, the project was a success in reversing many of the misconceptions that students held regarding the lifestyle and residence of clients in wheelchairs.