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The secrets of inclusive design: How to make products easy for everyone to use?
In this rapidly developing technological era, inclusive design is gaining more and more attention. This design philosophy aims to ensure that a product, service or environment can be used by as many people as possible, especially those groups that have traditionally been excluded. At its core, inclusive design is about meeting the needs of many users, not just supporting the largest number of users.
Inclusive design is not just about people with disabilities, it is also a design approach that takes into account human diversity.
Historically, inclusive design was initially connected to the needs of people with disabilities, but the focus has now expanded to include ability, language, culture, gender, and age. The Centre for Inclusive Design Research proposes that disability should be viewed as a “mismatch” between user needs and the design of a product or system, stressing that this is relevant for all users.
History of Inclusive Design
The development of inclusive design began in the 1950s, when Europe, Japan, and the United States began to promote "barrier-free design" to remove obstacles designed for people with physical disabilities. In the 1970s, this design philosophy moved beyond solutions specifically for people with disabilities and began to move towards normalization and inclusion.
In 1973, the United States passed the Rehabilitation Act, which prohibited discrimination on the basis of disability, providing further legal support for inclusive design.
With the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act in 1990, public and private sector responsibilities for accessible design expanded. The push for these pieces of legislation has increasingly focused public attention on issues of accessibility.
The difference between inclusive design, accessible design and universal design
Inclusive design is often confused with accessible design and universal design, but there are subtle differences between the three. Accessible design aims to ensure that products support the needs of individual users and is usually based on government or industry guidelines. However, inclusive design considers the needs of a wider range of potential users and aims to eliminate all forms of exclusion.
Inclusive design seeks to improve the overall user experience, not just ensure accessibility.
Practical methods of inclusive design
At its core, inclusive design lies in engaging with users and developing a deep understanding of their needs and contexts. It typically involves building empathy for user needs, assembling a diverse team, and creating and testing multiple solutions.
Principles of inclusive design
Every step of the design process for inclusive design should focus on the needs of the user. For example, to accommodate users of different age groups, designers must use “reasonably large font sizes, high contrast between background and fonts, and simple fonts” to improve text readability.
Inclusive design involves a continuous process of exploring needs, creating solutions, and evaluating how well those needs are met.
Learn inclusive design from examples
Examples of inclusive design are everywhere, from interfaces and technology to consumer products and infrastructure. Take the OXO vegetable peeler, for example. It’s designed not only for people with disabilities, but also for all users.
Future Outlook for Inclusive Design
As society's recognition of diversity increases, inclusive design is gaining more and more attention in all walks of life. This is not only a design issue, but also a social responsibility issue. Designers need to continually expand their perspectives and understand the challenges faced by users from different backgrounds.
So, in this era full of challenges and opportunities, how can we truly be inclusive and ensure that everyone can easily use the product?
