Welcome to the digital exhibition of the UD Student Awards 2026
Recognising student project, ideas and solutions that work for everyone.
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...
- Fair
Design should be equitable in use, meaning they are useful and marketable to people with diverse abilities. - Flexible
Designs should have flexibility in their use. They should accommodate a wide range of individual preferences and abilities. - Simple
Designs should be simple, intuitive and easy to understand, regardless of the user's experience, knowledge, language skills, or concentration level. - Clear
Information in the design should be perceptible and communicated effectively, regardless of the user's sensory abilities or their ambient conditions. - Forgiving
Designs should have a tolerance for error. They should minimize hazards and any adverse consequences of accidental or unintended actions. - Comfortable
Designs should require low physical effort. It should be possible to use the design efficiently and with a minimum of fatigue. - 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:
- 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.