What is Universal Design? 

It's a way of designing our environments so everyone can use them - regardless of their age, size, ability or disability. 

The 7 Principles of Universal Design

Universal Design is...

1. Fair

Design should be equitable in use, meaning they are useful and marketable to people with diverse abilities. 

2. Flexible

Designs should have flexibility in their use. They should accommodate a wide range of individual preferences and abilities.  

3. Simple

Designs should be simple, intuitive and easy to understand, regardless of the user's experience, knowledge, language skills, or concentration level. 

4. Clear

Information in the design should be perceptible and communicated effectively, regardless of the user's sensory abilities or their ambient conditions. 

5. Forgiving

Designs should have a tolerance for error. They should minimize hazards and any adverse consequences of accidental or unintended actions. 

6. Comfortable

Designs should require low physical effort. It should be possible to use the design efficiently and with a minimum of fatigue.

7 Spacious

Designs should allow appropriate size and space is provided for approach, reach, manipulation, and use regardless of user's body size, posture, or mobility. 

The Centre for Excellence in Universal Design

The Centre for Excellence in Universal Design is dedicated to promoting Universal Design in Ireland. We are a part of the National Disability Authority.

Our work spans across four pillars: 

  • The Built Environment
  • Products, Services and Systems
  • Digital and Communications 
  • Education

Are you a student? 

Third level students are invited to submit projects that demonstrate the principles of Universal Design and evidence that they’ve considered a wide range of potential users.

Entries open in Springtime, international judges review the projects over the Summer followed by the award ceremony and project showcase in Autumn. Rewards include trophies, certificates, networking opportunities, permission to use the UDSA marque in your portfolio and of course, cash prizes!

Keep an eye on our Linkedin and dedicated UD Student Awards webpage.

Are you an Educator? 

The awards aim to motivate students to engage practically with Universal Design and to encourage educators and institutions to prioritise Universal Design in Education.

Universal Design in Education (UDE) can help you create more inclusive learning experiences and environments for everyone. UDE looks at the whole educational environment. By identifying and removing barriers from the start, educators and their institutions can help create places where all learners feel welcome and can thrive. 

For support or guidance in implementing UDE as an Educator, visit our education webpage or reach out to info@ceud.ie.

Enterprise Ireland Commercial Award

We collaborate with Enterprise Ireland to encourage our finalists to take their projects to the next step. 

The winner of the UDSA Commercialisation Award receives priority review of their project for Enterprise Ireland’s Commercialisation Fund. This fund supports third-level researchers to translate their research into innovative and commercially viable products, services and companies. The winner will be supported to make their application to Enterprise Ireland and could go on to receive €15,000 in funding to help validate the potential market opportunity of their project.

Thank you Judges and Experts! 

We would like to thank the many Irish and International UD experts who have contributed their time to the awards since 2014.

Stephanie Akkaoui Hughes
Francesc Aragall
Tom Bannon
Stephen Bauer
David Berman
Rodd Bond
George Boyle
Declan Brady
Angela Brady
Catherine Bridge
Sinead Burke
Julia Cassim
Weiqin Chen
John Clarkson
Eddie Commins,
James Condron
Fergus Craddock
Peter Crowley
Eddie Cummins
Brian Dalton
Mairead Dempsey
Isoilde Dillon
Sorcha Duffy
Richard Duncan
Håkan Eftring
Onny Eikhaug
Gerry Ellis
Sukru Eraslan
Fergal Finn
Valerie Fletcher
David Flood
Conor Foran
Gareth Ford Williams
Hubert Froyen
Lee Gaynor
Joy Goodman-Deane
Ali Grehan
Tom Grey
Per-Olof Hedvall
Sarah Heffernan
Jasmien Herssens
Faustina Hwang
Bill Kearney
Aoife Kelly
Satoshi Kose
Roisin Lafferty
Mark Leslie
John Lynch
Kim Mackenzie Doyle
Laura Magahy
Tim McArthur
Brad McCannell
Bernadette McGrahon
Sean McNulty
Kathryn Meghen
Klaus Miesenberger
Neil Miliken
Joe Miller
Patrick Mooney
Robert Morandell
Joan Mulvihill
Valerie O‘Brien
Cormac O‘Conaire
Eibhlin O‘Connor
Sarah O‘Mara
Tom O‘Sullivan
Damien Owens
Natalia Papadopoulou
Matthew Parkinson
Carol Pollard
Whitney Quesenbery
Pranash Ramanundh
Allesandra Ravidaa
Charlie Rohan
Nicola Ryan
Camilla Ryhl
Niamh Scannell
Diane Smith
Elle Steele
Beth Tauke
Mick Torrans
Danielle Townsend
Mark Trieglaff
Tara Whelan
Yvonne Wylde
Gottfried Zimmermann
Emilene Zitkus