What is universal design?

April 24, 2023

The overall goal of universal design is to ensure that spaces do not discriminate and that they benefit people regardless of their abilities, needs and cultural preferences. Universal design offers designers and builders a competitive advantage through attractive designs that enable people to better meet current needs, evolve to address changing needs and age in place.

The approach can benefit all types of housing from single-detached to multi-unit residential buildings and new and renovations. Our Universal Design Guide focuses on multi-unit residential Buildings (MURBs).

Incorporating universal design in housing and our built environments promotes social inclusion and creates communities without barriers.

Examples of universal design features

The parking areas, approach to the building and entrances are easy to navigate, understand and are accessible to everyone.
The vertical circulation includes elevators and stairs that are easy to use, safe and accessible to everyone.
The horizontal circulation offers convenient, intuitive and accessible pathways with sufficient space for mobility devices.
The kitchens, laundry facilities and common areas meet a variety of needs and are easily adaptable to meet future accessibility needs.
The bathrooms are modern in design and will require minimal adaptation in the future to accommodate mobility devices.

Anticipating changing needs means better design in the long-term

Universal design is a forward-looking solution to changing needs over a household’s life cycle. The approach also provides a foundation for ensuring that housing can better respond to the needs of people with disabilities. While the approach is different from accessible design, universal design makes it easier to adapt housing to meet the needs of current and future residents. It’s practical, marketable and cost-effective.

Universal design isn’t more expensive

With universal design, residents and housing providers can save money — both upfront and over time. Because universal design anticipates changing needs, residents and housing providers can avoid expensive renovations. The approach helps seniors age in place longer and can delay the costs of group living.

Industry insight

“Universal design issues are easy to solve. It’s about going beyond the building code — and overcoming the hesitancy to go beyond the code. If you can’t move around comfortably, then nothing else matters.”
— Alan Perks, engineering resident at the University of Ottawa

Affordable housing that works for everyone

There are several ways that universal design can help to make affordable housing more accessible and affordable.

By incorporating features such as adjustable countertops and shelving, universal design can help make a housing unit more accessible for people of all ages and abilities. This means that the unit can be used by residents of all ages and abilities. When a unit becomes available, it can be used right away without needing costly renovations.

CMHC’s Universal Design Guide

We collaborated with Eviance (the Canadian Centre of Disability Studies Inc) to develop a Universal Design Guide. This comprehensive guide is backed by research, peer reviews from industry experts, plus input from people with lived experience.

As our understanding evolves, so will this valuable resource. The guide will be regularly updated to provide up-to-date information making housing more adaptable and inclusive.

Download the Universal Design Guide