We summarize our philosophy of universal design with a simple phrase:

Design Including People with Disabilities
is
Better Design for Everyone.

Universal design (UD) is good for people disabilities. Universal design provides access to people with disabilities, including invisible disabilities, temporary disabilities and mild impairments UD also allows people without impairments to take advantage of improved usability and efficiency in a variety of environments and with a variety of products. For instance:

• People with 20/20 vision may be seated behind an obstruction that limits their vision. A teacher who describes slides during a presentation allows better access for a blind student while also benefitting other students. Verbal descriptions also benefit the student who may be dividing their focus between the lecture and taking good notes.
• People with good hearing may have difficulty hearing in a noisy environment.The use of a microphone with an assistive listening device for a person with a hearing impairment will also benefit others in the room.
• People must operate devices when they are carrying other large items, like a box. Electronic door openers placed for people in wheelchairs are also useful for everyone when pushing a cart or carrying items.

We must provide disability support services to accommodate individual needs, but we can also provide optimal access for everyone through universal design.