An official website of the POLICY 16: Universal design
This policy states:
Incorporate Universal Design principles that consider the needs of all community members of various cultural backgrounds, age groups, languages, abilities, and gender identities in planning and design of public places. Universal Design is a concept in which products and environments are designed to be usable by all people, to the greatest extent possible, without the need for adaptation or specialized design. It aims to make the built environment inclusive, accommodating diverse needs and preferences, including those of individuals with disabilities, older adults, children, and people with temporary or situational impairments. (Met Council/Local Government)
Actions
(Met Council) or (Local Government) or (Met Council/Local Government) are tags indicating responsibility for implementing the activity.
Plan for developments that comprehensively address the needs of people with disabilities, considering elements of Universal Design, in addition to mandatory ADA requirements. ADA requirements are a baseline and may not meet the needs of all community members. (Local Government)
Support and partner on age-friendly initiatives, including the Governor’s Council on Age-Friendly Minnesota and Age-Friendly Minnesota’s Multisector Blueprint on Aging, with keen attention to the needs of all older adults in the region. (Met Council/Local Government)
Collaborate with schools and integrate Safe Routes to Schools into planning strategies to improve infrastructure safety and land use efficiency around schools. (Local Government)
Promote Universal Design for all residential use types to provide more housing opportunities for residents of all abilities. (Local Government)
