Massage Therapy Journal Fall 2024

Fall 2024 • 43

Seven Principles for Universal Design

Equitable Use

Flexibility in Use

Simple and Intuitive Use

Perceptible Information

Tolerance for Error

Low Physical Effort

Size and Space for Use

accommodation in relation to the size, resources and structure of the business. 16 A larger business with more significant resources would be expected to make accommodations compared with a smaller company with fewer resources. Furthermore, the business owner must try to identify another accommodation if a hardship exists. For example, a business might offer a house call massage at no extra charge if a person who uses a wheelchair cannot enter a home-based practice. 17 Providing accommodations for a person with a disability rarely creates a conflict with other people, but it can occur. In these cases, creative solutions are required to accommodate all parties. For example, a massage therapist is allergic to dogs, and their client uses a service dog. The allergy is often associated with the animal fur, skin oils, salvia or dander. A possible solution may be to schedule the client with a massage therapist who is not allergic to dogs and ensure that the room is cleaned thoroughly after the session. Additionally, the accommodation suggested by the business may only be the preferred method for some participants and not suit others. For example, a business uses a digital tablet for their client intake form and consent form. The tablet does not have an adequate magnifying feature for reading, and a client who has low vision finds the tablet difficult to use. A possible solution may be for the attending massage therapist or the person at the front desk to read the forms aloud to the client. If more than one

accommodation is offered, preference for the method used should be given to the individual with the disability. 18 Universal design (UD). UD is a term created by architect Ronald Mace, and refers to the practice of designing products, communications and environments so everyone can access, understand and use them regardless of age and ability. UD takes into account individual preferences and abilities, communicates essential information effectively (regardless of room conditions or a person’s sensory abilities) and can be approached, reached, manipulated and used by everyone regardless of their body size, posture or mobility. The Center for Universal Design at North Carolina State University developed seven principles for universal design. 19 • Principle One: Equitable Use —The design is helpful to people with diverse abilities. For example, an electric massage table that can easily adjust in height so can be used by people of various sizes and abilities. • Principle Two: Flexibility in Use —The design accommodates various individual preferences and abilities. For example, offering intake and consent forms in multiple formats (i.e., paper, digital) so massage clients can choose to read or listen to its contents before signing. • Principle Three: Simple and Intuitive Use — The design is easy to understand, regardless of the user’s experience, knowledge, language skills or current concentration level. For example, use plain language on intake and

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