ABSTRACT
This chapter analyses the potential meanings of the component terms of Universal Design (UD) – namely, universal and design – rather than take for granted or dismiss what UD is or to what it aspires. It explores how shifting its frame and emphasis can better address issues with respect to the body, environment, and interdependence that both feminist philosophy of disability and disability studies have articulated. The chapter focuses on four literatures, all of which address UD and have thus far had limited impact on UD thought: feminist philosophy of disability, feminist disability studies, feminist architectural theory, and disability geographies of access. It explains what UD is, exploring its design methodology and addressing some of the problems that it raises. The chapter outlines some of the issues and approaches that a theory of accessible design that is premised on interdependence can adopt to create broad and collective access to the built environment.
