Universal Design

Policy Related to Universal Design

Toshiba Group is promoting universal design (UD) to contribute to realization of a society where everyone can live at ease and in comfort regardless of age, gender and abilities.

In 2007, with a view to promoting universal design throughout Toshiba Group, particularly with the support of Universal Design Working Group (WG), we established Toshiba Group UD Philosophy, UD Vision and UD Guidelines.

Toshiba Group Universal Design Philosophy

We create products attuned to people's aspirations. Toshiba Group contributes to realization of a society where everyone can live at ease and in comfort regardless of age, gender and abilities

Toshiba Group Universal Design Vision

Transforming “can't use” to “able to use”, “hard to use” to “easy to use”, Toshiba's universal design aims to create products accessible and safe to use for everyone. With the perpetual drive for innovation, Toshiba continues to explore ways to create more convenient and easier to use products which, in our hope, will meet even greater number of peoples' standard for “want to use”.

Toshiba Group Universal Design Guidelines

chart of Toshiba Group Universal Design Guidelines: 1.UD Philosophy; 2.UD Vision; 3.UD Guidelines

Intuitive use
Simple use
Low physical effort
Equitable use
Safety and minimal anxiety

(The Guidelines consists of the above five main principles and 15 sub principles.)

Universal Design Promotion Structure

The Universal Design (UD) Promotion Working Group (WG) established in 2005 is striving to incorporate the universal design concept in development steps and is promoting dissemination of information on Toshiba's universal design internally and externally.

UD Advisor System

In FY2007, Toshiba Group initiated a UD advisor system and invited employees with disabilities to register with the system with a view to obtaining their cooperation in the development and evaluation of UD products, irrespective of the divisions to which they belong.

In FY2010, the Group expanded the scope to include foreign national employees in order to step up UD promotion to meet the needs of overseas markets, including emerging economies.

Development of Universal Design Products

In developing products related to a wide range of fields such as home appliances, housing facilities, information equipment, and public facilities, Toshiba adopts a human-centric design process emphasizing users' perspectives, incorporating the needs of many customers as possible.

Please refer to the following website for Toshiba's efforts in creating UD products.

UD at Toshiba Design Center

External Evaluation: Winner of Universal Design Award

In February 2012, Toshiba Group products, LED flashlights (KFL-102/202/302) and cordless irons (TA-FVX900/800), won the Universal Design Award in Germany. In addition, a total of seven Toshiba Group products won prizes in the Fifth Kids Design Award, including our water-proof rechargeable raido (TY-JR11) selected for an Excellent Prize in the Universal Safety category.

photo of LED flashlight:KFL-102/202/302,Cordless iron:TA-FVX900/800,Waterproof rechargeable radio : TY-JR11,award 2012,KIDS DESIGN AWARD2011

Toshiba Initiative: Introducing the voice-controlled home air conditioner, “Daiseikai VOiCE”

Daiseikai VOiCE, a home air conditioner equipped with a voice controller, was exhibited at “Sight World,” an event for the visually impaired.

In November 2011, Toshiba introduced the world’s first home air conditioner equipped with a voice controller.^note1 The Daiseikai VOiCE air conditioner can be operated by voice when users cannot see the buttons and displays on the remote control in a dark room, or when they are busy cooking and their hands are full. This feature is useful for people who have difficulties with operating ordinary remote control devices. We are gathering information from users by participating in exhibitions for the visually impaired and implementing evaluation by UD advisors^note2 in order to develop products that are easy to use for a wide range of people.

note1: NDR Series introduced in November 2011. A home air conditioner equipped with a voice controller for the first time in the world. Surveyed by Toshiba.

note2: A system to include non-Japanese employees and employees with disabilities in the development and evaluation process of products irrespective of the divisions to which they belong.

Promotion of Universal Design

Toshiba's UD efforts have created a great impact on the quality of life for many people. Toshiba recognizes that such efforts should be communicated to as many people as possible, and participates in the International Association for Universal Design, Association for Electric Home Appliances, etc. to create social awareness on universal design.