Ronald L. Mace Universal Design Institute

The Ronald L. Mace Universal Design Institute (The Institute) is a non-profit organization based in North Carolina dedicated to promoting the concept and practice of accessible and universal design. The Institute's work manifests the belief that all new environments and products, to the greatest extent possible, should and can be usable by everyone regardless of age, ability, or circumstance.

The Institute advances the concept of universal design in all design disciplines, including housing, public-use buildings, outdoor and urban environments and related products.

The Institute

• performs design assistance and design development

• applies research to generate design solutions appropriate for the widest diversity of users

• evaluates existing products and buildings

• collaborates with builders and manufacturers on the development of new design solutions

• develops and distributes educational publications and instructional materials -- tools most useful for professionals wishing to practice universal design and to individuals and families needing to learn of options and opportunities

• conducts training globally to increase knowledge of the application of universal design

The Institute's principals, Richard Duncan and Leslie Young, each have a long career in the design of accessible and universal environments.