The concept has been advocated by Professor Ben Shneiderman, a computer scientist at the Human-Computer Interaction Lab at the University of Maryland, College Park.
He also provided a more practical definition of universal usability – "having more than 90% of all households as successful users of information and communications services at least once a week."
Although in some cases it is possible to accommodate technology variety and individual differences in one system, multi-layer designs are the most promising approach to achieving universal usability.
Sidewalk curb-cuts are added to accommodate wheelchair users, but the benefits extend to baby carriage pushers, delivery service workers, bicyclists, and travelers with roller bags.
In the context of ICT design and development, universal usability is often tied to meeting the needs of people with disabilities.