The DO-IT project at the University of Washington defines design in the following manner:

"...designing any enviroment, product or service involves the consideration of many factors, including aesthetics, engineering options, enviromental issues, safety concerns, and cost. Typically, products are to be designed to be most suitable for the average user.

In contrast, universal design is the design of products, services, and enviroments to be usable by everyone, to the greatest extent possible, without the need for adaptation or specialized design".

Universal design for the classroom benefits all students and simplifies instruction.