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Overview A prime indicator of the effectiveness of any built environment is the degree to which it enables comparable activity performance by all its users regardless of their abilities or circumstances. Evaluating such effectiveness is typically done through case studies conducted in field settings. However, the logistics and costs associated with performing such field studies inevitably result in constraints not only on user participation but also on the environments studied – further compromising case studies’ already limited generalizability. This study moved case studies from the field to the internet allowing for greater participation, the study of more diverse environments, and better generalizability of the results. The information collected in this study evidences the efficacy of universal designs to facilitate activity performance and the inefficacy of non-universal designs. To arrive at the results found on this page, participants’ responses have been analyzed using the Problematic Activities Index (PAI). For this study, the PAI generated seven scores for each activity investigated. Each of the seven scores represents a different group of participants who reported having physical, sensory or cognitive conditions that affect their ability to perform routine activities. Groups were created for participants with conditions affecting the (1) mobility of their legs/feet, (2) arms/hands, (3) back/neck, (4) hearing, (5) sight, (6) cognition. The seventh group was created participants who stated having no conditions that affect their ability to perform routine activities. For the Design Effectiveness Surveys participants are asked about each environment twice. They are first asked to rate how frequently they would typically have a problem performing an activity. Then participants are described and shown an environment where the activity would take place and asked to rate how problematic they would find the activity if they were to encounter the featured design. Survey Results Below are PDF links for each Design Effectiveness Survey. Problematic Activities Index Below is the link for a more detailed description of the Problematic Activities index. Design Effectiveness Surveys Below are links to PDF versions of the surveys. These versions of the surveys are provided in a printer friendly format. Contact Us Mailing Address: Center for Inclusive Design and Environmental Access |