Universal Design Standards/ADA Compliance
The Center for Universal Design at North Carolina State University defines Universal Design as "the design of products and environments to be usable by all people, to the greatest extent possible, without the need for adaptation or specialized design." (What is the difference between accessible, usable, and universal design?, 2017) . While this standard is utilized in public spaces around the nation, it may have it’s most important uses in classrooms. These design standards can be the difference between an encouraging and supportive learning environment and a counterintuitive and distractive space. In recent years many schools have even begun altering the layout of classrooms to encourage these standards. Some of those changes included removing bulky immobile chairs or desks and replacing them with modern ergonomic pieces. Universal Design benefits from not only being applicable to individuals with disabilities but to everyone regardless of age, sex, or si...