Discussion Board:

Thread 1: Universal Design

To provide some background on these readings, universal design emerges in part out of the disability rights movement and the field of disability studies. The disability rights movement and disability studies oppose the traditional medical model of disability. According to the medical model of disability, disability is a problem that inheres in individuals and which requires a medical solution. In opposition to the medical model of disability, disability studies proposes and defends a social model of disability. According to the social model of disability, disability is a social construct. According to the social model of disability all sorts of bodily and mental variations exist, some of which may in fact be impairments, but these bodily and mental differences and variations only become disabilities when they become objects of discrimination. This discrimination can manifest itself as anything from negative attitudes towards people who have "unsightly" physical characteristics to the lack of wheelchair access to buildings. After all, if the built environment was built to accommodate people who use wheelchairs for mobility, and if the need to use a wheelchair was seen as just an instance of acceptable bodily variation and not as a mark of inferiority and abnormality, would those who use wheelchairs be disabled? Those in disability studies argue no.

In summary, disability studies views disability as a form of oppression, and as with other forms of oppression, disability calls for social and political transformation.

With this in mind, we can turn to universal design.

What is universal design? What are the goals and principles of universal design?

How does universal design benefit those with disabilities?

What is user-centered design? How does user-centered design inform universal design?

Can you give some examples of technologies that embody user-centered design? Can you give some examples of technologies that do not reflect a concern with user-centered design?

Thread 2: Examples of Universal Design

Can you think of any good examples of universal design in your profession?

Can you think of any examples of technologies or designs that could be made more accessible through universal design?

Do you think that engineers have a moral obligation to make their products as universally accessible as possible? Why or why not? And to what extent?

Thread 3: Social Participation as a Human Right

What is social participation? Why do some people consider social participation a human right?

Do you agree that social participation is a human right?

How does disability, as a form of social oppression, exclude people from social participation?

How might universal design enhance the capacity for everyone to engage in social participation? Do you think that we have a moral obligation to facilitate social participation through universal design?

Can you give some specific examples of technologies that could be better designed to facilitate social participation?