Universal Design in Architecture

In the 1960's an important movement began in the architectural field. Modifications in buildings were being considered as people in wheelchairs and with other handicaps had considerable difficulty accessing buildings. They were at on obvious disadvantage, considering they could not use the stairs or maneuver over curbs as easily as their fully mobile counterparts. As a result, architects began to make changes and other such additions to their buildings. While these changes helped people in wheelchairs and with mobility problems, they were costly and often unsightly. Instead of constantly having to make additional changes to buildings, architects began to keep these accommodations in mind as they designed buildings. For example, flat curbs, easily accessible elevators, ramps, chair lifts, escalators, and the like became regular components of a building's blueprints.


Thus the term Universal Design was born. These changes in architecture benefited all people universally. So, while these modifications were intended to help handicapped individuals, they ultimately helped all people, specifically those with strollers, shopping carts, skateboarders, or even just those with heavy bags.