Contents
Cal Poly Pomona

Disability Defined

Disability

Disability is a physical or mental impairment that limits one or more major life activities; a record of such impairment; or being regarded as having such an impairment.

All types of programs, services and presentations should be created with accessibility in mind.

  • Course Lectures
  • Labs
  • Activities
  • Conferences
  • Meetings
  • Presentations
  • Career/major/wellness fairs
  • Recognition events
  • Club and organization activities
  • Cultural events and open houses
  • And all others

Accommodation

An adjustment to make a workstation, job, program, facility, or resource accessible to a person with a disability.

Reasons to accommodate

Everyone, even if on temporary basis, experiences access needs to environment.

ADA , Section 504 and 508 compliance with access and equity for persons with disabilities in an integrated setting.

Specifically:

  • Public facilities and programs/services are accessible
  • Private facilities that are open to the general public are accessible
  • Creating equity does not require an accommodation that results in an undue burden or that represents a fundamental alteration in the nature of the goods or services provided.

Note: all university resources, not department/program resources, will be used to determine "undue hardship"

Accessible design benefits individuals with and without disabilities.
  • Different learning styles
  • Different cultural backgrounds
  • English as Second Language Learners
  • Support multiple modality techniques
  • Reduce environmental barriers

Universal Design

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.

The intent of universal design is to simplify life for everyone by making products, communications, and the built environment more usable by as many people as possible at little or no extra cost. Universal design benefits people of all ages and abilities.

Universal Design Principles

  • PRINCIPLE ONE: Equitable Use
    The design is useful and marketable to people with diverse abilities.
  • PRINCIPLE TWO: Flexibility in Use
    The design accommodates a wide range of individual preferences and abilities.
  • PRINCIPLE THREE: 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.
  • PRINCIPLE FOUR: Perceptible Information
    The design communicates necessary information effectively to the user, regardless of ambient conditions or the user's sensory abilities.
  • PRINCIPLE FIVE: Tolerance for Error
    The design minimizes hazards and the adverse consequences of accidental or unintended actions.
  • PRINCIPLE SIX: Low Physical Effort
    The design can be used efficiently and comfortably and with a minimum of fatigue.
  • PRINCIPLE SEVEN: 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.
    (SOURCE: NC State University. The Center for Universal Design)