Universal design appears in many public area. The curb cuts is the most common one that present universal design in engineering. Besides the curb cuts, there is a lot of designs commonly seen in our life that apply same idea. For example, the wash basin countertops could also be considered as the universal design. In some of the public washrooms, the height of wash basin countertops are different. Normally, there is a wash basin with a lower countertop, whereas there is another wash basin with a higher countertop in the same washroom. This design allows everyone who wants to use the wash basin can choose the one with their own preference and situation. People who sitting in the wheelchair could use the wash basin with the lower countertop. Kids who are not tall enough could also use the lower one. Even though it is a public washroom, everyone could choose the one that more suitable the self.
Applying to the learning design, some instructors use same idea on the designing of course assignment. They provide students a list of options on the assignments that everyone has a chance to choose with their own preference. For example, if you are good at art, you can design a poster about a particular topic which have learned from this course. On the other hand, if you are good at public speaking, you can have a presentation about that topic in front of the class. There are various forms of the assignment, each of the student can choose the one that they prefer. The basic idea of this learning design is that it allows everyone to make a choice according to their own preferences and situations. By doing that, every student in the class is included in and treated equitable.
As Caroline discussed in her blog post, the automatic doors and automatic grammar checker are good example of universal design as well. Both of these two are not only design for people who have difficulties, but also take convenience to others.
