Often, universal design is perceived to be costly; however, sometimes concerns about its cost are based on lack of knowledge and experience and inaccurate estimates of the actual cost of construction. The assumption about costs of universal design often exaggerates the actual cost and disregards savings. This section discusses the cost of design, both with and without incorporating universal design.
Cost of incorporating universal design
The major cost incurred in incorporating universal design is the cost to retrofit various features to accommodate specific needs. When managed appropriately, however, this retrofitting cost can be minimized. Good practices of cost-effective universal design include the early incorporation of universal design and local stakeholder participation in it.
Research has shown that providing full access facilities from the outset has additional costs of approximately one percent. However, the cost of making adaptations after a building is completed is far greater; it can rise up to five percent or more of total cost depending on the modification of the architectural features of the building. For example, universal design is often considered to require much more space to accommodate wheelchairs. Two design research studies showed, however, that redesigning non-accessible buildings required no additional space, but just rearrangement of the existing plan. These findings imply that universal design would not require many additions if introduced before drawing the blue prints of a building.
In addition to the early incorporation of universal design, local stakeholder participation in the designing process is a key to cost effective universal design. Appropriate universal design varies according to local conditions. Best practice in one region is not necessarily workable in another context. For example, in a country where wheelchairs are prevalent and braille or hearing aids are available, it is straightforward to design the building with ramps specifically graded for the wheelchairs, Braille signage, or induction loops for hearing aids. In a country where these are not readily available, the building would be designed differently because end-users would be less independent without wheelchairs or Braille or hearing aids.
The goal of universal design is to benefit the entire population, not just people with disabilities. Therefore, consultations with a variety of potential users (e.g. elders, caregivers with children, etc.) are crucial in order to maximize usability of Bank-funded facilities, as these people are the most knowledgeable about their own needs. In this process, it is helpful to educate designers, builders and citizens about the purpose and benefits of universal design for the whole community so that they understand its value and work to find good solutions to problems.
Participation of local stakeholders is also critical for cost effective universal design because it helps identify locally available products and construction techniques. With resource restrictions, project designers are required to use local materials or techniques as much as possible to avoid significant cost impacts. This is also an important consideration to ensure that such facilities are maintained by local communities afterwards.
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