Both Is Good: Why Universal Design and Tailoring Must Work Together

People often frame accessibility as a choice:
do we build universally, or do we tailor individually?

The reality is simple: we need both.

Universal Design: coverage, dignity, and capacity

Universal Design (UD) is often presented as a solution that will “catch everyone.”

It won’t. It never will.

And that’s fine — because UD is not about perfection.
It is about coverage.

When systems, materials, and processes are designed to work for as many people as possible:

• fewer people have to declare their disability

• dignity is preserved

• the labour of inclusion is reduced

• time and resources are freed up for targeted support

A simple example

I have 120 students in a lecture.

Out of them:

• 10 are dyslexic

• 1 has visual access needs

• 1 requires large print

If I create inaccessible slides — poor contrast, cluttered layout, hard-to-read fonts — I now have to respond to 12 individual adjustment requests.

That is not a good use of anyone’s time.

If I instead design one accessible slide deck from the start — clear font, high contrast, structured layout — I immediately meet the needs of 11 students.

Now there is only one student who requires a tailored version.

And I actually have the time and capacity to do that properly.

Universal Design is a resource management tool

This is the key point.

UD does not eliminate the need for adjustments.
It creates the capacity to deliver them well.

Universal Design is not universal

There is a persistent myth that if UD is done well enough, it will work for everyone.

It won’t.

Human variation is too wide.

UD does not replace individual adjustment.
UD makes individual adjustment possible.

Why both approaches matter

Universal Design:

• reduces unnecessary labour

• preserves dignity

• improves baseline access

Individual tailoring:

• responds to specific needs

• enables real equity

• addresses what UD cannot cover

What good systems look like

To make this work, systems need to support both approaches:

• digital adjustment records that follow a person

• reduction of repeated disclosure

• consistent accessible design standards

The point

Universal Design is not a replacement for individual adjustment.

It is the foundation that makes meaningful, responsive support possible.

Dual approaches are not a compromise.

They are the only way forward.