盲人和视障人士的设计是无障碍设计的一个例子。拥抱通用设计的建筑师明白盲人客户的需求对所有人来说都是一样的 – 古罗马建筑师和弗兰克劳埃德赖特等现代建筑师都提倡建筑物以提供最佳的光线和通风。像ADA这样的联邦立法提高了对建筑功能的认识;专业设计师将以所采取的形式创造美。建筑师可以设计纹理，声音，热量和气味来定义空间和功能。触觉提示，例如地板纹理的差异和温度的变化，为无法看到的人提供了标志性建筑。通用设计是指满足所有人需求的设计，从而使所有人都可以使用空间。 “对于盲人和视障人士来说，伟大的建筑就像任何其他伟大的建筑一样，只会更好，”旧金山建筑师克里斯唐尼，美国建筑师协会说。 “它的外观和工作方式相同，同时为所有感官提供更丰富，更好的参与。”当2008年脑肿瘤出现时，唐尼是一名实践建筑师。凭借第一手资料，他建立了盲人建筑，并成为其他设计师的专家顾问。同样，当建筑师Jaime Silva失去先天性青光眼的视力时，他对如何为残疾人设计有更深入的了解。如今，这位菲律宾建筑师与工程师和其他建筑师协商，以管理项目并促进通用设计。
The design of blind and visually impaired people is an example of barrier-free design. Architects embracing Universal Design understand that the needs of blind clients are the same for everyone – modern architects such as Roman architects and Frank Lloyd Wright promote buildings to provide optimum light and ventilation. Federal legislation such as the ADA raises awareness of the function of architecture; professional designers will create beauty in the form they take. Architects can design textures, sounds, heat and smell to define space and function. Tactile cues, such as differences in floor texture and temperature changes, provide landmarks for those who cannot see. Universal design is a design that meets everyone’s needs so that everyone can use the space. “For the blind and the visually impaired, the great architecture is just like any other great building, it will only be better,” said San Francisco architect Chris Downey, the American Institute of Architects. “It looks and works the same way, while providing a richer and better participation for all senses.” When the brain tumor appeared in 2008, Downey was a practical architect. With first-hand information, he built a blind building and became an expert consultant for other designers. Similarly, when architect Jaime Silva loses sight of congenital glaucoma, he has a deeper understanding of how to design for the disabled. Today, the Philippine architect negotiates with engineers and other architects to manage projects and promote universal design.