Abstract
How and why do some companies successfully practice universal design of their products? Why do other companies not practice universal design, and what might motivate them to adopt it? What are the most effective things that can be done by those on the outside to increase the number of companies successfully practicing universal design? This paper reports results from a three-year study of the practice of universal design in companies providing consumer products and services, which was undertaken to discover the answers to these questions. The study included extensive interviews, a comprehensive survey, and the monitoring of the effects of many of the key facilitation strategies. The key external strategy, although controversial, is that of government regulation requiring the accessibility of products and services. Other important strategies include training and educational programs in universal design and development of market data.
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