As found in the book Inclusive Design: Design for the Whole Population These principles seem to be focused on physical products mostly. These principles are described in chapter 19: Universal products in the US. So, to be more accurate, these should probably be called the seven principles of universal design. Even though I’m not sure every life form in the universe will find them equally useful.
The design is useful and marketable to people with diverse abilities. Guidelines:
- Provide the same means of use for all users: identical whenever possible: equivalent when not
- Avoid segregating or stigmatising any users
- Make provisions for privacy, security and safety equally available to all users
- Make the design appealing to all users
The design accommodates a wide range of individual preferences and abilities. Guidelines:
- Provide choice in methods of use
- Accommodate right or left handed access and use
- Facilitate the user's accuracy and precision
- Provide adaptability to the user's pace
Use of the design is easy to understand, regardless of the user's experience, knowledge, language skills, or current concentration level. Guidelines:
- Eliminate unnecessary complexity
- Be consistent with user expectations and intuition
- Accommodate a wide range of literacy and language skills
- Arrange information consistent with its importance
- Provide effective prompting and feedback during and after task completion
The design communicates necessary information effectively to the user, regardless of ambient conditions or the user's sensory abilities. Guidelines:
- Use different modes (pictorial, verbal, tactile) for redundant presentation of essential information
- Maximise legibility of essential information
- Differentiate elements in ways that can be described (i.e. make it easy to give instructions or directions)
- Provide compatibility with a variety of techniques or devices used by people with sensory limitations
The design minimises hazards and the adverse consequences of accidental or unintended actions. Guidelines:
- Arrange elements to minimise hazards and errors: most used elements, most accessible; hazardous elements eliminated, isolated or shielded
- Provide warnings of hazards and errors
- Provide fail-safe features
- Discourage unconscious action in tasks that require vigilance
The design can be used efficiently and comfortably! and with a minimum of fatigue. Guidelines:
- Allow user to maintain a neutral body position
- Use reasonable operating forces
- Minimise repetitive actions
- Minimise sustained physical effort
Appropriate size and space is provided for approach, reach, manipulation, and use regardless of user's body size, posture or mobility. Guidelines:
- Provide a clear line of sight to important elements for any seated or standing user
- Make reach to all components comfortable for any seated or standing user
- Accommodate variations in hand and grip size
- Provide adequate space for the use of assistive devices or personal assistance