Technology & Engineering
Inclusive Design
Inclusive design refers to the practice of creating products, services, and environments that are accessible and usable by as many people as possible, regardless of age, ability, or circumstance. It involves considering diverse user needs from the outset and designing with empathy to ensure that everyone can participate equally. This approach aims to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in design and engineering.
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11 Key excerpts on "Inclusive Design"
eBook - PDF- Constantine Stephanidis(Author)
- 2009(Publication Date)
- CRC Press(Publisher)
The term Inclusive Design and its surrounding methodology predominantly grew up in the United Kingdom to maintain quality of life and independent living for the aging population (Coleman, 2001). This had not been adequately solved through the use of assistive or medical devices that were stigmatizing, expensive, and undesirable. The British Standards Institute (2006) defines Inclusive Design as “the design of mainstream products and/or services that are accessible to, and usable by, 19 Tools for Inclusive Design 19.1 Introduction ........................................................................................................................... 19 -1 Definitions of Inclusive Design 19.2 Corporate-Level Tools ........................................................................................................... 19 -2 Product Strategy • Management Support 19.3 Project-Level Tools ................................................................................................................ 19 -3 Managing the Design Process • Managing User Involvement • Using Personas 19.4 Evaluation Tools ..................................................................................................................... 19 -8 Expert Appraisal • Capability Loss Simulators • Assessing Demand and Exclusion 19.5 Conclusions ........................................................................................................................... 19 -13 References ......................................................................................................................................... 19 -14 Sam Waller and P. John Clarkson 19 -2 The Universal Access Handbook people with the widest range of abilities within the widest range of situations without the need for special adaptation or special-ized design” (p. 4).
- William Sims Bainbridge, William S. Bainbridge(Authors)
- 2011(Publication Date)
- SAGE Publications, Inc(Publisher)
231 T echnology is often a lifeline for people with dis-abilities and a path to employment and indepen-dence, helping them to communicate, move about in the world, participate in social activities, learn, and work. Inclusion is an all-encompassing term, also considering, for example, the needs of children as well as those of global communication and technology; here, the focus is on people with disabilities. These technologies come in two forms: mainstream technologies and specialized assistive technologies. Inclusive Design is a process that aims to make mainstream products usable by people with diverse needs without the need for adaptation or specialized design. The general goal is to simplify life for everyone by making products, services, and the built environment usable by as many people as possible at little or no extra cost. Specialized devices, however, are still needed in many cases. They fill crucial gaps when technologies are not usable by disabled people; they also address the needs of people with disabili-ties that are not met by mainstream technologies. Consider for example a person who cannot speak. Specialized devices can assist in communication through speech. In thinking about inclusive technologies, it helps to consider the population distribution. Most potential users of a device or computer application will be able bodied, although they may differ in their technology experience. Traditional design considers the able-bodied community, often targeting the technology savvy segment of this mar-ket, for example, in the explosion of mobile devices with ever-increasing functionality. Inclusive Design extends the traditional boundaries of mainstream development, mov-ing the boundaries so that the largest possible segment of the population can use the products. Specialized solutions, although needed in many cases, have disadvantages for disabled users in terms of both cost and the user experience.
eBook - PDF- Gavriel Salvendy, Waldemar Karwowski, Gavriel Salvendy, Waldemar Karwowski(Authors)
- 2021(Publication Date)
- Wiley(Publisher)
which alludes to disability but doesn’t expressly state it (Persson et al., 2015). One difference is that the term “acces-sible design” is more closely linked to specific accessibility standards as well as legal requirements (see Section 6 on legal requirements). Other terms have appeared over time, including Inclusive Design, which is defined by the British Standards Institution (2005) as: “The design of mainstream products and/or services that are accessible to, and usable by, as many people as rea-sonably possible … without the need for special adaptation or specialised design.” In practice, the use of the term “Inclusive Design” can sometimes mean that there is more of a focus on DESIGN FOR PEOPLE EXPERIENCING FUNCTIONAL LIMITATIONS 1219 the cultural aspects of diversity, and/or the inclusion of people with disabilities into the design process. It is also important to note that the term “reasonably” is listed in this BSI defini-tion, which contrasts with, for instance, the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, for which rights to accessible design are absolute and unconditional, and not limited to situation or cost (Persson et al. 2015). While the term “Inclusive Design” comes out of the business and design disciplines, the term “user-centered design” comes out of the interdisciplinary world of human–computer interaction and was coined by Donald Norman and explained in his 1986 book User-Centered System Design (Norman & Draper, 1986) Three key aspects of user-centered design are: (1) involving users from the start of the process; (2) using iterative approaches to design; and (3) using metrics to measure success. Also coming out of the human–computer interaction community is the term “universal usability,” coined by Ben Shneiderman (2000).
eBook - PDF- John R. Wilson, Sarah Sharples, John R. Wilson, Sarah Sharples(Authors)
- 2015(Publication Date)
- CRC Press(Publisher)
Its working groups, for example on design for all, have put Inclusive Design on several agendas, and the general direction of these initiatives looks promising. The European Commission is also expected to propose a European Accessibility Act in order to make sure that products and services, public buildings and spaces become more accessible to all citizens. This will be welcomed news as it will strengthen and extend existing initiatives, not just at European level but across the global economy. However, in addition to the ‘big stick’ approach, designers and develop-ers need to be provided with ergonomic advice and methods in a suitable form that they can use to achieve more Inclusive Designs. This aspect of the Inclusive Design approach will be considered later in this chapter. FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES OF Inclusive Design This section describes the fundamental principles of Inclusive Design; this will help the reader to understand the key concepts which underpin this approach. The methods and techniques detailed later in this chapter focus on aiding people such as ergonomists, researchers, designers or engineers to embed these principles in design. The fundamental principles detailed within this section specifi-cally focus on the design of products; however, these principles also hold true for many aspects of service and system design. P RODUCT I NTERACTION C APABILITIES When interacting with a product, we typically use a combination of seven different human capabili-ties: these are vision and hearing (sensory capabilities), cognition (cognitive capabilities), dexterity, strength, locomotion, and reach and stretch (physical capabilities) (adapted from Clarkson et al. 2013). These capabilities are used to perceive, understand and physically interact with the product’s attributes in order to carry out the desired task. A description of each of these capabilities is pro-vided in Table 11.1.
eBook - PDFHuman Factors in Product Design
Current Practice and Future Trends
- W. Green, Patrick W. Jordan, W. Green, Patrick W. Jordan(Authors)
- 1999(Publication Date)
- CRC Press(Publisher)
Compromises in design quality and choice may particularly annoy disabled people because of this. These then, are 178 Human Factors in Product Design ideological issues that arise from the social context in which disability is viewed by others. They provide further reasons why Inclusive Design-design that doesn't treat disabled people as a 'special' group-is particularly welcome. 17.3 CRITERIA FOR Inclusive Design So far in this chapter, some of the benefits of Inclusive Design have been outlined and examples have been given of how Inclusive Design can benefit disabled and able-bodied alike. This section of the chapter looks at the criteria by which a design can be judged as being inclusive. Seven criteria for Inclusive Design are outlined, along with an example to illustrate each. They are based on the definition of 'universal' design offered by Molly Story of the Center for Universal Design at the North Carolina State University (Story 1997). They are as follows: 1. Equitable use. This means that the design should be usable by, and marketable to, any group of users regardless of whether or not they have a disability and that a design should avoid marginalising or stigmatising any group of users. For example, buildings should offer both stair and ramp entry options, so that all can enter them. 2. Flexibility in use. This principle embodies the idea that a design should support a choice of different methods of usage. Story gives the example of automatic bank teller machines. These, she asserts, should offer information in visual (visual display unit), tactile (raised letters or Braille) and audible (speech) formats. They should also be reachable by tall, short and seated users. She also points out that buttons are easier to push if they are large and well spaced. 3. Simple and intuative use. Designs should be simple and intuative to use, regardless of, for example, the users experience, knowledge level, or language skills.
eBook - ePubThe Access Manual
Designing, Auditing and Managing Inclusive Built Environments
- Ann Sawyer, Keith Bright(Authors)
- 2014(Publication Date)
- Wiley-Blackwell(Publisher)
1 Inclusive Design- An inclusive approach
- Principles of Inclusive Design
- Benefits
- How environments are used
- Access appraisals
- Access statements
- Case study – Canada Water Library
An Inclusive Approach
An inclusively designed and managed building or space will allow everyone to maximise their own individual abilities and enjoy full, equal, confident, independent and safe participation in everyday activities. Inclusive Design goes beyond simple accessibility. A design that offers a choice of stepped or ramped approach to a building addresses accessibility for all; however, one that incorporates a level approach for everyone to use is a truly Inclusive Design.Design guidance is often based on the needs of a notional ‘average’ person; however, everyone varies from the average in some way. People differ in height, strength and dexterity; can have different visual, hearing or cognitive abilities; or may have respiratory impairments or reduced stamina. Mental health or emotional issues can also affect people's ability to interact with the built environment. Physical and mental health conditions can be temporary, ongoing or progressive and may vary considerably throughout different stages of life. Older people may have limited mobility; some may use wheelchairs, sticks or crutches. Mobility may be affected by having to carry a child or heavy shopping bags or push a buggy.Despite this apparently wide diversity of need, many of the issues that affect how people interact with the built environment are similar. For example, good, clear, effective and sensibly used signage incorporating symbols helps everyone, including those whose first language is not that of the information on the sign. Firm, level, non-reflective surfaces will not only benefit people using mobility aids such as a wheelchair or crutches, but also people pushing buggies or carrying luggage. Well-designed lighting, colour and visual contrast may benefit people with sensory or cognitive impairments and will also affect how people feel and are able to respond to spaces and places.
eBook - ePubDigital Outcasts
Moving Technology Forward without Leaving People Behind
- Kel Smith(Author)
- 2013(Publication Date)
- Morgan Kaufmann(Publisher)
Many project teams acknowledge the importance of designing for all users, yet are uncertain where or how to begin. Ms. Wassmer advocates a mindset of adjustment that harnesses advocacy throughout the design process, resulting in products that fulfill a social responsibility to their users. Introducing the concepts of Inclusive Design can be accomplished if the following best practices are applied as a team philosophy: Accessibility is not an “add on,” it is a critical part of an Inclusive Design strategy. Integrate accessible design from the start. If you knew that you had to build a house to accommodate someone in a wheelchair, you wouldn’t wait until the final phase to install a ramp. Thinking with accessible design in mind from the start allows easier updating and increased flexibility. It also ensures a smoother workflow between design and development teams, as an established baseline is always better than springing on a late-game requirement at the last minute. Chose the right toolkit. Current wheelchairs are made of titanium, which is half the weight and much easier to push than models used just 15 years ago. Using the correct authoring tools with accessibility guidelines can also ease the delivery of electronic media. Just about every browser has some built-in development tool for spot-checking accessibility. The web accessibility evaluation tool called WAVE, created and distributed by WebAIM, is perhaps the best utility for testing accessibility on the fly. Focus on message and keep the presentation flexible. Remember that there is no typical audience and no typical end user. An inclusive product experience is approachable, uncluttered, and treats users respectfully. Communication messages almost always begin with a focus on aesthetic presentation, but starting with a strategic goal with multiple audiences in mind keeps project specifications on point
eBook - PDFDesign and the Digital Divide
Insights from 40 Years in Computer Support for Older and Disabled People
- Alan F. Newell(Author)
- 2022(Publication Date)
- Springer(Publisher)
Their approach was to suggest design compromises and the use of “guidelines as a good cheap basis for integrating needs of people with varying abilities into design at an early phase”. The Trace Center in Madison, Wisconsin is focussed on technology and disability and has produced a wide range of publications in this field that can be found at http://www.trace.wisc.edu. The Centre for Universal Design at North Carolina State University provides information and spe- cialist courses in the more general field of Universal Design, and their publications can be found at http://www.design.ncsu.edu/cud/ud/ud.html. These are very similar to general user centered design principles, with a philosophy based on the premise of “Equitable Use”—that is: “the design should be useful and marketable to any group of users”. Keates and Clarkson [2004] gave an introduction to Inclusive Design and in Keates and Clarkson [2003] provided an extensive and detailed review of Inclusive Design mainly from a product design perspective. They suggested that a user’s sensory, motion and cognitive capabilities can be represented within an “Inclusive Design cube”, from which the percentage of the population that any product excludes can be calculated. An extensive list of publications relevant to Universal Usability can be found in the review monograph by Meiselwitz et al. [2009]. “Design for all”—a realistic goal? These movements have been extremely valuable in raising the profile of disabled users of products, and have laid down important principles and guidelines. Many “design-for-all” guidelines are excellent, but the term itself has some inherent dangers.
eBook - PDFDisability is not Inability
A Quest for Inclusion and Participation of People with Disability in Society
- Nathaniel Amanze, S. Nkhoma, Nathaniel Amanze, S. Nkhoma(Authors)
- 2020(Publication Date)
- Mzuni Press(Publisher)
In particular, the Department demonstrated how product designers and 9 M. Mastropieri and T. Scruggs, The Inclusive Classrooms: Strategies for Effective Instruction , University of Michigan: Merrill, 2000; M.J. Zalizan, Perception of Inclusive Education Practices: The Malaysian Perspective, Education Review , 52(2), 2000, pp. 187-196. 10 Inclusive Education Policy , Gaborone: Ministry of Education and Skills Development, 2011. 11 Ibid, p. 1. 229 engineering practices attempt to provide acceptable and affordable Assistive Technologies. Inclusion and participation of persons with disabilities is a concept espoused by the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The SDGs or Global Goals are the pronouncement of the United Nations, hence a universal call for, amongst others, 'action to end poverty, and ensure that all people enjoy peace and prosperity.' 12 The SDG's comprise seventeen (17) interconnected goals. Hence, the intervention is to enable persons with disabilities to become part of the mainstream educational system and socio-economic players. Research on Assistive Technologies Assistive and Rehabilitation Technologies are devices used to aid or enable functionality of people with physical and/or cognitive disabilities or are used for therapeutic purposes. 13 Assistive Technologies (AT) in general, can be assistive, adaptive, and rehabilitative devices. There is a wide range of assistive technologies which include the prostheses, the orthoses, and others. 1. Prostheses According to the medical definition, a Prosthetic, is an artificial substitute for or replacement of a part of the body such as a tooth, eye, a facial bone, the palate, a hip, a knee or another joint, the leg, an arm, etc. Prosthesis, therefore, is designed for functional or cosmetic reasons or both. The Medicine Net defines prosthesis as artificial extensions that replace missing body parts.
eBook - PDFContemporary Ergonomics and Human Factors 2013
Proceedings of the international conference on Ergonomics & Human Factors 2013, Cambridge, UK, 15-18 April 2013
- Martin Anderson(Author)
- 2018(Publication Date)
- Taylor & Francis(Publisher)
DESIGN APPROACHES This page intentionally left blank This page intentionally left blank Inclusive Design WITHIN A LARGE ORGANISATION Anna Mieczakowski 1 , Sue Hessey 2 & P. John Clarkson 1 1 Engineering Design Centre, University of Cambridge, UK 2 BT Innovate & Design, UK Ensuring that inclusivity is practised in consumer product design requires a fine balance between the needs of the business and those of the users. This paper explores ten best-practice principles derived from auditing the practice of Inclusive Design within BT, supported by over a decade of research on the uptake of user-centred design in industry. The principles described herein are likely to benefit other organisations operating under similar pressures associated with cost reduction and time to market. Introduction Inclusive Design has many well-known benefits: it can lead to greater customer satis-faction, cheaper running costs long-term and enhanced corporate social responsibil-ity. Previous studies have examined the uptake of the ethos and practice of Inclusive Design in industry, describing both existing success stories and barriers to adoption (Dong et al., 2004; Goodman-Deane et al., 2009). They have mainly focused on companies which do not yet practise the principles of Inclusive Design, however. We therefore conducted an audit of the current state of Inclusive Design at BT, which was an early adopter having concentrated on inclusion over the past eight years, to understand more about how it is practised in everyday business. Fourteen employ-ees, who are inclusion practitioners and have good understanding of the internal processes at the company, took part in the study. The interactions with them focused on successful inclusivity-led processes, products and services developed to date and existing challenges to employing Inclusive Design. The investigation was carried out through semi-structured interviews, which were then coded using the general inductive approach (Thomas, 2006).
eBook - ePub- Paul T. McCabe(Author)
- 2018(Publication Date)
- CRC Press(Publisher)
More recent technological developments are beneficial to deaf and hard of hearing people. The Internet and mobile phones facilitate text communication. Both technologies have been widely taken up by both hearing and deaf people, providing equal access to text communication for everyone. Unlike textphones, which are a specialist technology, the Internet and mobile phones with SMS facility are widely owned and used by all groups of society. This integration has the potential to make communication far easier for deaf and hard of hearing people, assuming correct considerations are made during service development.Inclusive Design
An Inclusive Design approach can make many products more accessible to deaf and hard of hearing people. It is rarely (possibly never) the case that the needs of every user can be incorporated into every product, and as such there will always be a market for specialist products. However, economies of scale mean that mainstream products that meet the needs of deaf and hard of hearing people are always preferable over specialist design solutions. Such specialist products are not only expensive when compared to more mainstream products, but often fall behind while technology and product development in other areas forges ahead. When a specialist product is chosen as the way forward it should only be as a last resort.In addition to the benefits that will be incurred by deaf, hard of hearing, and other disabled people, an Inclusive Design approach can have a number of advantages for manufacturers. Many people, particularly older adults, have a disability of some sort, and hearing loss is very common. To release a product to the market that is not accessible and usable by such a large group of people may result in lost revenue and a reduction in market share. In addition, features that make a product accessible to people with disabilities will often also make the product more attractive to users in general.When involved in designing products or services that should be accessible to deaf and hard of hearing people, there are a number of factors to be taken into account. The information given in this paper provides an insight into the types of deafness that there are, and some of the ways that hearing loss can impact on a persons life. Rather than making assumptions based on this or other information, it is vital to involve members of different groups of potential users early in the design process, so that their requirements are considered and included wherever possible.
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