INTRODUCTION

The history, development and evolution of universal design within the Product Design curriculum development in the Design & Industry (DAI) department at San Francisco State University (SFSU) has demonstrated the cross-disciplinary applications, and exchanges of the various services and resources at SFSU. This cooperative "universal" exchange has complimented the consonant academic and applied community outreach and service learning goals by such university sources as: the Institute On Disabilities; The Disability Resource Center; the Gerontology Program; The Rehabilitation Engineering Program; the Whirlwind Wheelchair International; and the Design Center for Global Needs. An integrated approach to universal design, - a.k.a."Good Design," in our department, has promoted an integrated academic environment. An interdisciplinary environment that has combined the expertise and methodology of disability advocates, and design professionals in the San Francisco Bay Area, along with educators, and students at the university. These mutual interests have promoted advancing the principles and applications of universal design principles in the built environment.