Universal Design is the design and composition of an environment so that that it can be accessed, understood and used to the greatest extent possible by all people regardless of their age, size, ability or disability.
For example: the cut in a curb – this allows wheelchairs to access sidewalks from parking spaces, but it also allows strollers to be easily pushed on to the sidewalk, or shopping carts to be pushed off a sidewalk. A curb cut also allows someone with a walker or cane to more easily access a sidewalk.