Why Universal Design?
Why universal design? The main motivation for universal design is accessibility: ideally, anyone and everyone should be able to use the things we design. Accessible designs benefit all users, not just those with disabilities, and designers as well.
The Basics of Accessibility
An accessible design is one that is usable for the widest possible audience, including people with disabilities. Ideally, accessible designs can be used without any difficulty or obstacle, regardless of the user's ability. At its heart, accessibility is about equality. Anyone can have a disability, and those with disabilities deserve access to the same opportunities and resources as those without.
Accessibility in design benefits more than just those with disabilities. By designing for the widest possible audience, you ensure that your website is accessible to people with disabilities, people with poor Internet connections or outdated tech, people who are new to the web, and anyone else who might be limited in what they can do or access.
While there are many reasons why accessibility is important, it is also a legal requirement. In the U.S., Section 508 of the Americans with Disabilities Act requires that anyone who receives funding from the federal government must make sure that technology they provide, including websites, is accessible. In practice, what this means is that websites affected by this law must meet the criteria it defines for accessibility or risk being sued.
Accessible Design is Good Design
Accessibility is a fundamental element of any good design: it requires the designer to consider who's going to be using their design and how they'll use it. Think about the purpose of any website you're designing. Why would someone visit this site? Would they get what they were looking for, even if they weren't able to see pictures or watch audio? Does the site still serve its purpose if viewed on a phone instead of a computer, or vice versa?
To be truly accessible, a design must be intentional, methodical, and well-executed. Its purpose should be clear, and it should strive to meet its users' needs as painlessly as possible. Simply put, accessible design is necessarily quality design. When designing with accessibility in mind, you as the designer are motivated to do good design.
Summary
Universal design is important because it is a fundamentally accessible approach to design, and accessibility is important for everyone, including the designer.