Reflection on Microsoft Word

           Universal design is defined as “the design of products and environments to be useable by all people, to the greatest extent possible, without the need for adaptation or specialized design” (Sanford). The 7 Principles of Universal Design, include: “equitable use (useful and marketable to people with diverse abilities), flexibility in use (accommodates a wide range of individual preferences and abilities), simple and intuitive use (easy to understand, regardless of the users experience, knowledge, language, skills, or current concentration), perceptible information (communicates necessary information effectively to the user, regardless of ambient conditions or the user’s sensory abilities), tolerance for error (minimizes hazards and the adverse consequences of accidental or unintended actions), low physical effort (used efficiently and comfortably and with a minimum of fatigue), and size and space for approach and use (appropriate size and space is provided for approach, reach, manipulation, and use regardless of user’s body size, posture, or mobility)” (Sanford).

            I will first reflect on my use of Microsoft Word. I believe Microsoft Word fits most of the Principles of Universal Design. For instance, Microsoft Word is equitable, due to the design being useful and marketable for a variety of people, including teachers, business professionals, and a long list of many other occupations. It is also flexible in use in how Microsoft Word provides a wide variety of templates for the users specific needs, including a template for making a brochure, newsletter, blank document, flyer, etc. It also has a useful tool bar that provides ways to insert charts, tables, SmartArt and much more. This provides the users with a wide range of choices in which method to use and the ability to use tools that are best suitable for their needs. It also meets the principle of being simple and intuitive, being consistent with user expectations and it is easy to use (eliminates unnecessary complexity). As well, the Microsoft Word program has perceptible information since the programs design includes a toolbar that is easy to use (located on the top of the program). If you don’t know what a tool is used for or what it means, you can just put your curser over the image and a text box will appear, giving you a description of the tools use. There is also a “Help” tab that provides the user with a way to look up how to create something or if the user doesn’t know where a tool is located. Microsoft Word also has a tolerance for error design. For example, the design has an “undo” tool to eliminate unnecessary mistakes and helps correct mistakes without any penalty. Microsoft Word also meets the principle of being low physical effort to use in that it is simple enough to use and that it doesn’t cause much effort to use. Like I said in my previous post, Microsoft Word is a great tool for typing notes instead of having to hand-write notes, which can take almost double the time! Microsoft Word also has a review tool called “tracking” that is helpful if teachers want to make comments on papers or it can even track any comments or changes you want to the reader to be aware of (when they read your paper). The one principle I feel like Microsoft Word does not meet is size and space for approach and use and this is only because this software is computer-based and does not really require the accommodations more physical objects need.