Baby Boomers and Seven Universal Design Principles 

Consider this: Over the next 25 years, the number of people over age 65 will more than double, and an estimated 20% of the U.S. population will be in their so-called "golden years." In sheer numbers, the 77 million post-World War II Baby Boomers, born between 1946 and 1964, represent a sizeable consumer market-except now instead of hula hoops and lava lamps, they are driving up demand for retirement villages and hearing aids.

More design savvy than their parents, the Boomers are not willing to settle for things that are functional but ugly. For them, it is not a choice of "either/or." They want sensible and sexy, practical and pretty, safe and stylish. They are the first generation to believe that elegant, intuitive product solutions are not only possible, they are a basic consumer right.

For designers, a common misconception is that practicing universal design requires compromising aesthetics or dealing only with things like wheelchairs and hospital beds (although both could use a makeover). In reality, products hailed as innovative often represent the best examples of universal design. They become classics because they never outlive their usefulness and contemporary appeal. The seven principles, developed by the Center for Universal Design, show that universal design isn't a specialized field. It is simply thoughtful problem-solving through design.

1: Make It Equal

Designers of mass-manu-factured products tend to design for the "norm," which in the U.S. is often for able-bodied consumers about 30 years of age, around 5 foot 6 inches tall and not overweight. Heaven help the rest of us who are too short or too tall, or handicapped temporarily or permanently. Universal design takes into consideration the needs of people of all ages, sizes, and physical and cognitive ability. If that is not possible in a single design, it presents equivalent alternatives, like wheelchair street curb ramps.

2: Minimize Physical Effort

For a person with severe arthritis, the simple task of turning a doorknob can be painful, which is why so many new homes incorporate lever door handles that require less range of motion. When designing for the frail or elderly, the fatigue factor is an important consideration. Household products that allow users to maintain a neutral body position, minimize repetitive actions and reduce the need for sustained physical effort make performing chores more enjoyable and comfortable.

3: Provide Adequate Size and Space

Public buildings have rules and regulations on handicapped access, something sorely lacking in private homes. Safety-proofing a bathroom, for example, is of little use if the wheelchair can't fit through the doorway. A key principle of universal design is making sure that appropriate size and space is provided for approach, reach, manipulation and use regardless of the user's body size, posture or mobility. That demands providing a clear line of sight from either a seated or standing position and ample room for assistive devices.

4: Keep It Simple and Intuitive

User-friendly applies to more than computer software. Users should not have to read instructions to learn how to remove a bottle cap, but that is sometimes the case. Effective design makes things more intuitive. It eliminates unnecessary complexity and arranges information by importance and/or sequence of use. It makes things easy to understand regardless of the user's experience, knowledge, language skills and cognitive ability.

5: Allow for Flexible Use

Left-handed people know that the world was designed for right-handed people. That doesn't have to be the case. Universal design accommodates a wide range of individual preferences and abilities. It can facilitate the user's accuracy and precision and adapt to the user's pace. For people with diminished strength and agility, the kitchen and bathroom are often the scariest rooms in the house. Pull-out shelves, countertops with recessed space to accommodate a seated person can make cooking more enjoyable for people with limited range of motion. Adjustable showerheads, offset water controls that can be easily reached from outside the tub, bench shower seating and grab bars offer ways to improve bathroom safety.

6: Make Information Perceptible

Well-designed products communicate necessary information clearly to the user, regardless of ambient conditions or the user's sensory abilities. For people with impaired hearing or vision, using multiple modes -pictures, sound, touch-to present essential information can alleviate frustration.

7: Build In Error Tolerance

Safety barriers can be designed into household objects to help people who have difficulty remembering or comprehending or have problems with balance and coordination. Good design can minimize the adverse consequences of unintended actions by isolating or shielding hazardous elements and arranging elements according to most frequent use or sequential steps to complete a task.

Doorbells and kitchen timers can be made to flash a light as well as chime. Distinctive use of color and tactile markers can help people judge the depth of a stair, find their way down a dim hallway, or see the edge of a countertop. Of course, legible type on a glare-free surface is essential, whether reading a magazine or instructions on a frozen food box.