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Integrating Principles of Universal Design Into the Early Childhood Curriculum

Automobile manufacturers understand how important it is to plan for the different sizes and shapes of car drivers. New vehicles come with electronic devices that enable the seat to move forward or back, and up or down, because designers understand that some people have long legs and others have short legs. Imagine manufacturing a car with an immovable seat that is built to the “average” driver. While it might be easier to manufacture a car like that, it certainly would be difficult to sell! Incorporating devices that allow drivers to easily change the position of the driver’s seat is a great example of universal design. Universal design is a concept that was originally used by architects and product designers to ensure that buildings and products can be used by people with a range of characteristics, interests, and abilities (CAST, 2004). The addition of sidewalk curb cuts is one example, because curb cuts help stroller pushers, wheelchair users, skateboarders, rollerbladers, and bike riders. Principles of universal design are most useful in the creation and development of buildings or products, rather than making modifications or accommodations after the fact. Curb cuts are easy to plan into the design of a curb, but much more difficult to incorporate after the curb is installed. It is much easier to design wider hallways to accommodate wheelchairs than to widen building hallways after the building is completed. Teachers are similar to architects or designers because