An examination of students' metaphorical perceptions of universal design across different faculties: Bridging disciplinary knowledge and inclusive practice.

This study investigated the metaphorical perceptions of universal design among students from different faculties. Using a descriptive qualitative research design, 202 students were asked to complete an open-ended prompt: "Universal design is like... because...” The generated metaphors were analysed using content and descriptive analysis techniques to identify underlying themes and their alignment with the seven core principles of universal design. The findings reveal that students' perceptions are predominantly concentrated under the "Equitable Use" principle, highlighting a strong association between universal design and social justice or inclusivity. However, significant disciplinary variations were observed, suggesting that students' professional backgrounds (e.g., architecture vs. education) influence their focus on physical versus pedagogical accessibility. The study concludes that while students possess a foundational understanding of universal design, there is a need for more interdisciplinary integration in higher education to bridge the gap between theoretical principles and practical application.