Accessibility and Universal Design: Do They Provide Economic Benefits?

Abstract

Certainly, the issue of accessibility has, in addition to a well-known social value, obvious economic repercussions. However, these are not easily measurable, as they can be investigated only on the basis of indicators that are mainly qualitative and indirect. That said, this paper will highlight some aspects that can be considered a first approach, identifying the variables and key players in the economic field. The approach, according to the principles of Universal Design, already identifies economic implications related to the design of spaces, objects, and services. The socio-economic relevance has also been underlined within Sen’s economic theories based on the capability approach and is generally referable to the theme of corporate social responsibility. In recent years, all this has been finding a universalistic synthesis in the enunciation of the Sustainable Development Goals. The analysis is conducted according to an interdisciplinary qualitative approach from two main perspectives: the company and the public administration. The study highlights how accessibility—understood according to a broad meaning that considers material and immaterial factors—assumes significant economic value with different specificities, depending on the reference actor (company/public administration). In particular, it is evident that for the company, the issue of accessibility (both with regard to products and services and organizational profiles) is taking on an increasingly important dimension with reference to marketing and ratings. The present work defines with clear evidence the main areas in which the economic value of accessibility appears, although a more in-depth study is needed to define metrics useful for quantifying the phenomenon. The study can be useful in various public and private sectors that involve policy-makers, designers, managers, and companies that produce goods and services.

Rilievo dei beni culturali e rappresentazione inclusiva per l'accessibilità museale

“…Risulta così evidente che la massimizzazione del risultato non implica una soluzione definitiva e univoca dei problemi legati all'accessibilità (eliminazione degli svantaggi), ma presuppone che il progetto si con-figuri anch'esso come un processo in continuo divenire, nella consapevolezza che non esiste "una cura" o "una soluzione" ai singoli problemi, piuttosto un "prendersi cura", un'attenzione continua e permanente alle mutevoli situazioni difficoltose in cui le persone possono trovarsi, avendo esigenze diverse, nel momento in cui fruiscono di uno spazio, di un bene o di un servizio. Visto in quest'ottica, l'Universal Design ha il "senso del limite" sia rispetto alle soluzioni adottate -dal momento che ogni soluzione può comportare difficoltà nell'uso per specifici utenti -sia rispetto alle situazioni in cui gli utenti possono trovarsipoiché la complessità umana è il risultato di pattern mutevoli: ci sarà dunque sempre una situazione speciale che richiede una soluzione personalizzata [Arenghi et al 2016].…”

The concept of risk and its measurement in the field of built heritage conservation: critical aspects and potential improvements

“…The presence of a large number of aspects and of diversified nature, often in conflict, and many of them difficult to be quantified has led to the application of multi-criteria techniques to the evaluation of the various alternative projects [42]. For example, for the selection of equivalent safety measures [43], accessibility measures [44], reuse alternatives and enhancement strategies [45][46], and more generally of possible compatible solutions with the building values.…”

The Economic Impact of Universal Design on Cultural Heritage Contribution to SDGs: Evidence from Italian Museums

“…The extant literature has not addressed the analysis of the economic benefits of Universal Design investments with specific reference to museums; rather, it has employed a mostly general approach. Scholars have mainly focused on the assessment process of Universal Design economic implications [1,4,5,9] and on the key actors involved, specifically, firms and public administration [1].…”

“…In particular, the main economic benefits implied by Universal Design can be explored according to two main perspectives: the intra-organizational one and the one related to products and services delivered, as well as to available spaces. With reference to the former perspective, Universal Design principles facilitate the inclusion in the workplace of all individuals by enabling the improvement of innovation capabilities, the increase of productivity rate, and the reduction of obsolescence of firms' assets [1].…”

“…At the same time, the offer of highly accessible products and services enables firms to gain technological, competitive, and reputational advantages [1]. In general, the economic benefits include the reduction of additional costs, which are required to accommodate products in order to make them more accessible, as well as the so-called social costs that burden the community (i.e.…”