Universal accessibility and usability for hearing: Considerations for design

Authors

  • Daniel Fok Faculty of Health Sciences, Health and Rehabilitation Sciences Program, University of Western Ontario
  • Lynn Shaw Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Occupational Therapy, University of Western Ontario
  • Mary Beth Jennings Faculty of Health Sciences, National Centre for Audiology, University of Western Ontario
  • Margaret Cheesman Faculty of Health Sciences, National Centre for Audiology, University of Western Ontario

Keywords:

Acoustic devices, Audio equipment, Error analysis, Information analysis, Optimization, Sensory perception, Object-person interactions, Perceptible information, Universal accessibility, Universal Design

Abstract

An interdisciplinary team of researchers have drawn to the need for a companion guideline to the original Universal Design (UD) principles as it relates to hearing. The term universal design was defined by the late Ron Mace whose work inspired architects and many other professionals to think beyond the boundaries of barrier-free design. The UD principles include, equitable use, flexibility in use, simple and intuitive use, perceptible information, tolerance for error, low physical effort and size and space for approach and use. The development of this initial set of universal design for hearing (UDH) guidelines used an occupational approach focused on what people do, need to do, and want to do, in community and public environments where hearing activities take place. Preliminary themes in the UHD guidelines include, design hearing environments that maximize the capabilities of a person to hear without a hearing device or with their current hearing device, optimize object-person interactions for hearing and allow for choice of interaction.

Additional Files

Published

2007-09-01

How to Cite

1.
Fok D, Shaw L, Jennings MB, Cheesman M. Universal accessibility and usability for hearing: Considerations for design. Canadian Acoustics [Internet]. 2007 Sep. 1 [cited 2026 May 5];35(3):84-5. Available from: https://jcaa.caa-aca.ca/index.php/jcaa/article/view/1912

Issue

Vol. 35 No. 3 (2007)

Section

Proceedings of the Acoustics Week in Canada

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