In line with the rapid aging of society in Japan and on a global scale, it is becoming more important to incorporate design concept in consideration of older adults and people with disabilities. In response to changes including diversification and aging of consumers and enhancement of consumer protection in particular, it is inevitable to adopt this concept in the product development and designing stage. This section explains universal design and introduces the related design concepts.

What is Universal Design?

• Universal design refers to the concept of designing products and the built environment to be usable to the greatest extent possible by everyone without special alterations or unconventional design work.
• This design concept was emerged in the United States around 1985. It also has been adopted in Japan since the early 1990s.
• The following seven principles of universal design have been developed.

  = The Seven Principles of Universal Design =

  (1)Equitable Use: The design is useful and marketable to people with diverse abilities.

  (2)Flexibility in Use: The 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 the user's experience, knowledge, language skills, or current concentration level.

  (4)Perceptible Information: The design communicates necessary information effectively to the user, regardless of ambient conditions or the user's sensory abilities.

  (5)Tolerance for Error: The design minimizes hazards and the adverse consequences of accidental or unintended actions.

  (6)Low Physical Effort: The 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 regardless of user's body size, posture, or mobility.

• The seven principles of universal design can be applied to the principles of designing production facility and tools used in production lines. Especially, these principles will be the important hints on designing devices designated for older adults.
• The design concepts similar to universal design are as follows:
  ∗Design For All
  ∗Barrier Free Design
  ∗Inclusive Design --- <Inclusive: Covers all aspects in a comprehensive manner>