WDA is specifically for professional architects and designers who are deaf, deaf-blind, or hard of hearing (designated as ‘deaf/ HOH’). WDA endeavors to bring together American and International deaf/ HOH architects and designers to provide opportunities for networking, professional development, and education worldwide.
Universal Design (UD) is an approach to design that increases the potential for developing a better quality of life for a wide range of individuals. It is a design process that enables and empowers a diverse population by improving human performance, health and wellness, and social participation (Steinfeld and Maisel, 2012). It creates products, systems, and environments to be as usable as possible by as many people as possible regardless of age, ability or situation.
