The higher education system was set up with an able-bodied person in mind, from how the campuses are set up to how teachers and faculty teach their classes and work with students. In 1990, ADA guidelines were written into law. These guidelines have worked to make spaces better available to those with disabilities, but more can and should be done. University campuses all over the country have made sure to follow these guidelines, but few spend time thinking about how to make education truly accessible to all. As a disabled student myself, starting school again knowing that there were going to be challenges because of my disabilities was nerve wracking. Not only has it been difficult to get around the Utah State University campus in Logan, but assignments are often described in a way that favors the neurotypical thinker. Even though buildings have been set up with ramps, in the winter I have found that the ramps haven’t always been shoveled, and sometimes when sidewalks are plowed, there is a large row of snow along the edges that often block access to other sidewalks and ramps. This makes getting to and from buildings on campus  harder than it needs to be.  There are many challenges that a disabled person faces daily just to get the opportunity of education. Not only are there barriers in the physical accessibility, but also in the mental and emotional accessibility of universities. When the problems faced by those individuals with disabilities are not seen by those without and those in charge, the problem continues to grow. From not having access to buildings and classrooms, to not having a clear understanding of the course layout and requirements, students are not set up for success within the university.

This is where the idea of Universal Design helps to alleviate these barriers for all students, not just those with disabilities. Universal Design is the idea of making spaces accessible for all, both physically and mentally. Universal Design reduces the stigmas of having disabilities and helps to welcome a more diverse and understanding community of learning. Stigmas such as having to ask for accommodations from the school and teacher are reduced because Universal Design sets the classes up in a way that the accommodations are already implemented into the class layout. Universal Design works to make sure that all spaces, in person and online, are usable, accessible, and inclusive to all. The layout makes it so people, no matter their mental or physical disability or thinking pattern are considered and able to use the spaces. As Universal Design is implemented into universities, more people will have the success of learning that has been inaccessible in the past. The challenges faced by students with disabilities are many, but those challenges can be reduced by the incorporation of Universal Design. Universal Design helps students of all backgrounds with and without disabilities, by having a more well-rounded education system. Universal Design may start out with a large price tag, but in the end more students will want to attend the university as they feel accepted and heard in all aspects of learning and have more success overall.

Bringing Disabled Voices into the Conversation

Oftentimes the conversations around disability accessibility are spoken about without the input of disabled individuals. This can be seen in the early designs of most facilities made before ADA regulations. The average white male was the model for how spaces were built, leading the spaces to not feel accessible to many people of different builds and disabilities. The director of Disability Studies at the University of Utah, Angela Smith, discusses with her classes how disabled students have been discriminated against on their campus, to better understand the experiences of those that are often shut out of the conversation (Colby). Adam Wouk, manager of disability services of Joliet Junior College, speaks of the benefits society would have if architects and interior designers discussed issues with those that have disabilities, thus helping to create a more inclusive design for all (Legat Architects). Bringing disabled voices forward to those that have the privilege of being able bodied will make a difference in how Universal Design can be implemented in the education system and beyond. Able-bodied and disabled-bodied people working together in the university setting will help make education a more inclusive experience for everyone (Fleet 136).

Making a Community of Understanding and Learning

Finding simple and effective solutions is where any university can start when beginning the process of implementing Universal Design. The process can take time and by understanding the issues that students and faculty are having around the campus can be a good place to start. A university can have a forum where students, both able-bodied and disabled-bodied, can bring forward issues they have dealt with on campus and even possible solutions to these problems.

As the voices of disabled people are heard and changes are made toward a more universal design in universities, more people will have the opportunity to enjoy the ability to continue their education. Natalie Colby discusses a small change that can be a good starting point: clearing the ramps of buildings during the winter before clearing the stairs (Colby). This small change lets more people access university buildings without excluding people or using too many resources. Wouk states that education and action are the only ways to start working towards universal design (Legat Architects). When people don’t understand the challenges people with disabilities face, it leads to difficulties and exclusion.

Teaching the Faculty the Tools of Universal Design

When Universal Design gets implemented on campuses, starting with the faculty will help with transitions. If they do not understand the concepts behind Universal Design, they will be more resistant to implement them into their classrooms. Universal Design is more than just having physical accommodations, and faculty have the opportunity to bring the accommodations into all aspects of their jobs as they work to adjust their courses. Having multiple ways of teaching your topic leads to better communication and students will thrive as their learning styles are implemented into the classroom.

Every semester, faculty has to go through the process of accepting accommodations from the disability resource center located at their university. Ruth Colker speaks to this when she says, “Like many professors, I get requests from the Office of Disability Services or individual students for certain kinds of teaching practices that are considered to be ‘accommodations,’… Each time, my response is—that’s just good teaching through a ‘Universal Design’ approach.” Once the tools of Universal Design are implemented into the course, the university won’t even need to reach out to faculty to approve a large amount of accommodations. With less accommodations needing to be discussed, the disability services on campuses will be more proactive and affordable (Fleet 140). With faculty learning the principles of Universal Design and implementing them in their work, students will have less barriers and this will help to foster a learning environment for all types of students (Capp 792).

How Universal Design can Help All Students

Many students when starting their journey of higher education come to find that they are having difficulties they had rarely or never experienced before. This is because the education system was built based on one type of person’s physical and mental capabilities. Our educational systems have been stuck in an ableist society, where there is only one measurement of success. Universal Design is not just for those with disabilities, hidden and seen, but for everyone. Having an accessible campus and an accessible learning model will help all students flourish in school. When a class is set up from the beginning to incorporate multiple ways of learning, has a clear layout of the students’ responsibilities and assignments, and sets up a system of communication between faculty and students, more people will have the opportunity to succeed. As more people have the opportunity to learn and grow, it helps students have broader perspectives and a more open mindset as they work through college and life.

When thinking about Universal Design, there is the need to remember that there are “multiple ways of representing knowledge” (Capp 792). The classroom setting can be more involved and accessible for both disabled and non-disabled people (Fleet 139). The Universal Design principles lead to better education across the board, not only in how students feel about their learning, but also how their emotions are affected (Colby). The ability to receive your higher education can be intimidating when you know you need accommodations just to get through class, with Universal Design the accommodations are invisible unless you look for them (Jackson 86).

The Importance of Universal Design in Society Moving Forward

Throughout life the majority of the population will at some point go through a time of disability, whether physical or mental. When implementing Universal Design, it limits how many annoyances will be present during those times of disability. For a large portion of society, they are disabled all the time and trying to get through life can bring many challenges. Looking through the eyes of those with disabilities will help able-bodied people see the everyday challenges that face just leaving their house.

The opportunity to get an education and to be able to move around this world is for everyone, and it will only be made easier as universal design is used moving forward. The concepts and principles are invisible when implemented correctly (Jackson 86). Universal Design won’t solve every problem, but it will solve the majority that people with disabilities face everyday.

Conclusion

Universal Design is the idea that spaces are able to be accessible to the most amount of people. A great place to start incorporating Universal Design into our society is on college campuses. This is the place that people have come to learn and broaden their horizons. When these principles are used and being seen by those about to go out into the world, they will see the stark difference around them of how society has been built and accepted for the average white male. Moving forward with this change, from just following the ADA guidelines to going beyond for the most amount of people, looks daunting and expensive. As the issues are brought forward, however, there may be many easy and inexpensive ways of fixing the problem. The initial costs can be high, but as time goes on and as more people have access to education and the world around them, the money will be made back. The university will have more attendance as people see the effects Universal Design has, it will also reduce the amount of work needed in the Disability Resource offices moving forward. Everybody wants to feel accepted and having a place where that is possible will bring more people in and help the understanding of more people as everyone just tries to live their best life.