Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

A reflection on interdisciplinarity research in universal design toward sustainability

  • Long paper
  • Published:
Universal Access in the Information Society Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The concept of universal design (UD) is growing from its devised domain of accessibility, thus becoming a stimulating research topic reaching further beyond the field of human/computer interaction. An inspiring characteristic of the universally designed end product and its value to the user would be its nature of sustainability. However, the many factors of that quality are yet to be fully learned by the practice and application of UD. One way to resolve this problem is to expand the UD research toward interdisciplinary practice. In this paper, the status of UD and its relationship to sustainability in terms of its possibility and perspective with interdisciplinary research are analyzed. A framework unfolds which explains and argues how interdisciplinary research could help UD advance toward the aim of sustainability. The proposed theoretical framework would open new research opportunities to expand the UD concepts along the path of creating holistic values on sustainability.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Bammer, G.: Integration and implementation sciences: building a new specialization. Ecol. Soc. 10(2), 95–107 (2003)

    Google Scholar 

  2. Barnes, C.: Understanding disability and the importance of design for all. J. Access. Des. All 1(1), 55–80 (2011)

  3. Blackwell, A.F., Wilson, L., Street, A., Boulton, C., Knell, J.: Radical Innovation: Crossing Knowledge Boundaries with Interdisciplinary Teams. University of Cambridge Computer Laboratory, University of Cambridge/NESTA Report, Cambridge (2009)

    Google Scholar 

  4. British Standard 7000-6.: Design management systems. Managing inclusive design. Guide. BSI (2005)

  5. Buanes, A., Jentoft, S.: Building bridges: institutional perspectives on interdisciplinarity. Futures 41(7), 446–454 (2009)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Center for Universal Design: The Principles of Universal Design (Version 2.0). North Carolina State University, Raleigh (1997)

    Google Scholar 

  7. Chasin, F.: Sustainability: are we all talking about the same thing? State-of-the-art and proposals for an integrative definition of sustainability in information systems. In: 2nd International Conference on ICT for Sustainability (ICT4S 2014) (2014). doi:https://doi.org/10.2991/ict4s-14.2014.42

  8. Dourish, P.: Print this Paper, Kill a Tree: Environmental Sustainability Research Topic of HCI, LUCI-2009-004. University of California, Irvine (2009)

    Google Scholar 

  9. Farrell, A., Hart, M.: What does sustainability really mean?: the search for useful indicators. Environ. Sci. Policy Sustain. Dev. 40(9), 4–31 (1998)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Farrell, K.N.: Beyond Reductionism: A Passion for Interdisciplinarity. Routledge, London (2013)

    Book  Google Scholar 

  11. Findeli, A.: Rethinking design education for the 21st century: theoretical, methodological, and ethical discussion. Des. Issues 17(1), 5–17 (2001)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. Frodeman, R., Klein, J.T., and Mitcham, C.: The Oxford Handbook of Interdisciplinarity. Oxford University Press, Oxford (2010)

  13. Gossett, A., Mirza, M., Barnds, A.K., Feidt, D.: Beyond access: a case study on the intersection between accessibility, sustainability, and universal design. Disabil. Rehabil. Assist. Technol. 4(6), 439–450 (2009)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. Heylighen, A.: Sustainable and inclusive design: a matter of knowledge? Local Environ. 13(6), 531–540 (2008)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. Imrie, R.: Universalism, universal design and equitable access to the built environment. Disabil. Rehabil. 34(10), 873–882 (2012)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. Keates, S.: Pragmatic research issues confronting HCI practitioners when designing for universal access. Univ. Access Inf. Soc. 5(3), 269–278 (2006)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. McGuire, J.: Inclusive college teaching: universal design for instruction and diverse learners. J. Accessibil. Des. All 1(1), 38–54 (2011)

    Google Scholar 

  18. Mulvihill, P.R., Milan, M.J.: Subtle world: beyond sustainability, beyond information. Futures 39(6), 657–668 (2007)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  19. Murphy, B.L.: From interdisciplinary to inter-epistemological approaches: confronting the challenges of integrated climate change research. Can. Geogr. 55(4), 490–509 (2011)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  20. Mustaquim, M., Nyström, T.: Designing sustainable IT system—from the perspective of universal design principles. In: Stephanidis, C., Antona, M. (eds.) Universal Access in Human-Computer Interaction: Design Methods, Tools, and Interaction Techniques for eInclusion, pp. 77–86. Springer, Heidelberg (2013a)

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  21. Mustaquim, M., Nyström, T.: Design principles of open innovation concept: universal design viewpoint. In: Stephanidis, C., Antona, M. (eds.) Universal Access in Human-Computer Interaction: Design Methods, Tools, and Interaction Techniques for eInclusion, pp. 214–223. Springer, Heidelberg (2013b)

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  22. Mustaquim, M., Nyström, T.: Designing information systems for sustainability—the role of universal design and open innovation. In: Tremblay, M.C., VanderMeer, D., Rothenberg, M., Gupta, A., Yoon, V. (eds.) Advancing the Impact of Design Science: Moving from Theory to Practice, pp. 1–16. Springer International Publishing, Cham ZG (2014)

    Google Scholar 

  23. Mustaquim, M., Nyström, T.: Designing persuasive systems for sustainability—a cognitive dissonance model. In: Proceedings of the European Conference on Information Systems (ECIS). Tel Aviv, Israel, 9–11 June 2014

  24. Newell, A.F., Gregor, P., Morgan, M., Pullin, G., Macaulay, C.: User-sensitive inclusive design. Univ. Access Inf. Soc. 10(3), 235–243 (2011)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  25. Newell, W.H.: A theory of interdisciplinary studies. Issues Integr. Stud. 19, 1–24 (2001)

    Google Scholar 

  26. Nissani, M.: Ten cheers for interdisciplinarity: the case for interdisciplinary knowledge and research. Soc. Sci. J. 34(2), 201–216 (1997)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  27. O’Connor, M.: The “four spheres” framework for sustainability. Ecol. Complex. 3(4), 285–292 (2006)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  28. Story, M.F.: Maximizing usability: the principles of universal design. Assist. Technol. 10(1), 4–12 (1998)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  29. Sundqvist, G., Letell, M., Lidskog, R.: Science and policy in air pollution abatement strategies. Environ. Sci. Policy 5(2), 147–156 (2002)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  30. Szostak, R.: “Comprehensive” curricular reform: providing students with an overview of the scholarly enterprise. J. Gen. Educ. 52(1), 27–49 (2003)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  31. Vavik, T., Keitsch, M.M.: Exploring relationships between universal design and social sustainable development: some methodological aspects to the debate on the sciences of sustainability. Sustain. Dev. 18(5), 295–305 (2010)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  32. Youngblood, D.: Multidisciplinarity, interdisciplinarity, and bridging disciplines: a matter of process. J. Res. Pract. 3(2), Article M18. Retrieved 08 June 2013 from http://jrp.icaap.org/index.php/jrp/article/view/104/101 (2007)

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Informatics and Media, Uppsala University, Box 513, 751 20, Uppsala, Sweden

    Moyen Mohammad Mustaquim

Authors
  1. Moyen Mohammad Mustaquim
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Moyen Mohammad Mustaquim.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Mustaquim, M.M. A reflection on interdisciplinarity research in universal design toward sustainability. Univ Access Inf Soc 16, 73–83 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10209-015-0425-0

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10209-015-0425-0

Keywords

Search

Navigation