Las Vegas — Universal Design, or accessible design, is design that works, no matter what your age or ability is.

That’s the belief of Drue Lawlor, FASID, NCIDQ of Dallas, TX-based education-works, inc., who offered seven Universal Design principles developed by a working group of architects, product designers, engineers and environmental researchers from the North Carolina State University Center for Universal Design, that will not only improve the layouts of kitchens, baths and homes in general, but may also change consumer views of Universal Design.

It was also at the heart of the Kitchens and Baths for All Ages seminar Lawlor led at the Kitchen/Bath Industry Show & Conference (K/BIS), here.

While each generation is seemingly rewriting what it means to reach certain milestones in terms of activity and ability, consumers may want to consider Universal Design principles that can improve the functionality and viability of their kitchens and baths. In fact, according to Lawlor, consumers may be happy to know that many aging-in-place products can enhance the aesthetics of a space just as readily.

At the seminar, Lawlor outlined the seven Universal Design principles consumers and designers alike should consider when selecting products and collaborating on design layouts: