Editing Universal design (section)

=== Barrier-free design ===
In 1960, specifications for barrier-free design were published as a compendium of over 11 years of disability ergonomic research. In 1961, the [[American National Standards Institute|American National Standard Institute (ANSI)]] A1171.1 specifications were published as the first Barrier Free Design standard. It presented criteria for designing facilities and programs for use by individuals with disabilities. The research started in 1949 at the [[University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign]] and continues to this day. The principal investigator, Dr. [[Timothy Nugent]], who is credited in the 1961, 1971, and 1980 standards, also started the [[National Wheelchair Basketball Association]]. 

The [[ANSI]] A117.1 standard was adopted by the [[Federal government of the United States|US federal government]] [[General Services Administration]] under the [[Uniform Federal Accessibility Standards]] (UFAS) in 1984, then in 1990 for [[Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990|American with Disabilities Act (ADA)]]. The archived research documents are at the [[International Code Council]] (ICC) - ANSI A117.1 division. Dr. [[Timothy Nugent|Nugent]] made presentations around the globe in the late 1950s and 1960s presenting the concept of independent functional participation for individuals with disabilities through program options and architectural design.

Another comprehensive publication by the [[Royal Institute of British Architects]] published three editions 1963, 1967, 1976 and 1997 of Designing for the Disabled by [[Selwyn Goldsmith]] UK. These publications contain valuable empirical data and studies of individuals with disabilities. Both standards are excellent resources for the designer and builder.

Disability ergonomics should be taught to designers, engineers, non-profits executives to further the understanding of what makes an environment wholly tenable and functional for individuals with disabilities.

In October 2003, representatives from [[China]], [[Japan]], and [[South Korea]] met in [[Beijing, China|Beijing]] and agreed to set up a committee to define common design standards for a wide range of products and services that are easy to understand and use. Their goal is to publish a standard in 2004 which covers, among other areas, standards on containers and wrappings of household goods (based on a proposal from experts in Japan), and standardization of signs for public facilities, a subject which was of particular interest to China as it prepared to host the [[2008 Summer Olympics]].