Universal & Inclusive Design

Architecture, Design & Product Development

Ergo & Wellbeing provides design consultancy integrating Ergonomics with universal and inclusive design principles for architects, engineers and product designers creating accessible, usable environments and products for diverse user populations.

What is Universal & Inclusive Design?

Universal Design

Universal Design creates products, buildings and environments accessible to as many people as possible, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity or disability.

Universal design provides guidance for designing spaces to be accessible, legible, and usable by individuals regardless of their circumstance, age, disability, or other factors.

Seven Core Principles of Universal Design

  1. Equitable use - Design is useful and marketable to people with diverse abilities

  2. Flexibility in use - Design accommodates a wide range of individual preferences and abilities

  3. Simple and intuitive use - Use of the design is easy to understand, regardless of user experience or knowledge

  4. Perceptible information - Design communicates necessary information effectively, regardless of ambient conditions or user's sensory abilities

  5. Tolerance for error - Design minimizes hazards and adverse consequences of accidental or unintended actions

  6. Low physical effort - Design can be used efficiently and comfortably with minimum fatigue

  7. Size and space for approach and use - Appropriate size and space is provided for approach, reach, manipulation and use

Inclusive Design

Inclusive Design goes further, encouraging safe, comfortable and dignified use whilst maintaining aesthetic appeal. Rather than designing for 95% of the population, inclusive design can be optimised for specific users or groups with particular needs.

Inclusive design encompasses a wider range of human diversity and takes a more holistic, systemic approach. It factors in things like socioeconomic status, culture, and varying degrees of abilities, physical, cognitive, or mental. An inclusive design approach tailors solutions for more functional limitations, making environments more usable than just minimal compliance and considers how multiple factors of identity intersect to define who we are, including:

  • Race

  • Gender

  • Sexual Orientation

  • Ethnicity

  • Socioeconomic Status

  • Age/Generation/Life Stage

  • Religion/Spiritual Beliefs

  • Physical Abilities

  • Mental/Cognitive/Neural Health

  • Education

Key Principle

Ergonomics principles underpin universal and inclusive design. Designs must be usable by people with diverse abilities whilst remaining aesthetically pleasing and commercially viable. Solutions address physical, cognitive and sensory accessibility needs through thoughtful integration rather than separate adaptations.

Design Approach

Human-Centred Methodology — Applying Ergonomics to understand user needs, capabilities and limitations through comprehensive analysis and consultation.

Accessibility Integration — Incorporating accessibility requirements from concept stage rather than retrofitting solutions.

Aesthetic Balance — Ensuring inclusive features enhance rather than compromise visual design and user experience.

Applications

  • Architecture & Built Environment — Building design, space planning and accessibility compliance

  • Product Development — Consumer products, workplace equipment and assistive technologies

  • Digital Interfaces — User experience design and accessibility optimisation

  • Public Spaces — Civic environments, transport hubs and community facilities

Related Services

Built Environment Consultancy — Healthy buildings and smart buildings expertise | [Link]

WELL Movement Ergonomics — Specialist WELL v2 Movement certification support | [Link]

Get in Touch

Ready to discuss your universal and inclusive design requirements?

Contact us.