In the world of design, trends come and go. From minimalist aesthetics to vibrant colour schemes, designers often find themselves navigating through the ebb and flow of popular styles. However, amidst the ever-changing landscape of design trends, one concept is gaining more traction and significance, spanning multiple trend cycles: inclusive design.
Is inclusive design just a passing trend or a fundamental shift in our design approach? These questions highlight the important discussion on accessibility, innovation, and social responsibility in design.
Inclusive design and accessible design are often used interchangeably, but they represent distinct concepts. While accessible design is an essential component of inclusive design, the two are not identical.
Accessible design focuses on creating products, services, and environments that everyone can use, regardless of their abilities or disabilities. Its goal is to ensure that individuals with diverse needs can engage with the same resources as those without disabilities, free from barriers or restrictions. This process typically involves following established standards, making it a fundamental aspect of the overall design approach.
At some point in their [our] lives, most people will either have a disability or know someone who has one. Learning more about people with disabilities… can help us better understand and meet their needs.
Coleen Boyle, Ph.D, CDC
Inclusive design, on the other hand, takes a broader perspective. It goes beyond simply meeting accessibility standards by actively working to remove barriers and create experiences that reflect and accommodate diverse perspectives. Rather than being limited to compliance, inclusive design challenges designers to think creatively and empathetically, fostering a more equitable and representative experience for all.
Inclusive design aims to create products, services, and environments that can be used by the widest possible audience, regardless of age, ability, or circumstance. It goes beyond compliance with regulations and standards, seeking to embrace diversity and promote equity in design.
At first glance, one might suggest that the adoption of inclusive design is driven by moral imperatives or regulatory pressures. However, a more thorough analysis indicates that the growth of inclusive design practices is underpinned by both ethical considerations and tangible practical advantages.
Inclusive design fundamentally embodies the principles of social responsibility and ethical design practices. In an era where technology and innovation are continuously transforming our daily lives, it is crucial to ensure that everyone is included. By prioritising accessibility, designers can empower marginalised communities and promote greater social inclusivity.
Inclusive design benefits everyone, not just people with disabilities. For example, curb cuts were initially made for wheelchair users but now help parents with strollers, travellers with luggage, and cyclists. Designing inclusively leads to innovative solutions that improve usability for all.
A quote from the World Health Organisation sums it up: "Around the world, more than one billion people have some form of disability. So that’s about 15% to 20% of the world’s entire population. How that relates to us is that: up to 20% of people who use the digital products we design, rely on accessibility — otherwise, they would not be able to access our digital product at all! And this doesn’t even include all of the people who do not have a disability, but benefit from accessible websites because they’re nicer and easier to use. (Remember: 'digital product', or just 'product' is the umbrella term for things like websites, apps, software, etc.)"
Additionally, inclusive design is increasingly seen as beneficial for businesses. Companies understand that addressing the needs of diverse audiences is both a responsibility and a smart business approach. By making products and services accessible to a wider range of users, organisations can enter new markets, improve customer retention, and foster innovation.
Inclusive design in the public sector enhances policy effectiveness by benefiting a wide range of citizens. In our design worked with the Australian Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) we experienced the methods and benifits first hand. In our experience, BOM emphasizes that inclusive design is critical in building trust between government organisations and the citizens they serve. When services are designed to be accessible to all, it signals a commitment to equity and transparency, fostering a sense of belonging and trust among diverse user groups. This trust is fundamental to the effectiveness of public services and the overall relationship between citizens and their government.
Although accessibility awareness is on the rise, and more companies are getting on the accessibility-train, there is still plenty of room for improvement. Google detected nearly 60 million distinct accessibility errors across 1 million homepages. That’s an average of 60 accessibility errors per page!
Source: Think with Google
While inclusive design has gained prominence, it still encounters challenges and barriers to widespread adoption. Designers may face resistance from stakeholders who prioritise aesthetics or cost-efficiency over accessibility. Additionally, misconceptions about disability and usability can result in incorrect assumptions about the complexity of inclusive design.
The question arises: is inclusive design a temporary trend? The answer is nuanced. Inclusive design has garnered attention in recent years due to changing societal norms and technological advancements, but its importance extends beyond mere trendiness.
Inclusive design represents a paradigm shift—an acknowledgment of the inherent value of diversity and the transformative power of design to create a more equitable and inclusive world.
As designers, it's our responsibility to champion inclusivity in our work, not just as a fleeting trend but as a core principle that guides our creative process. By embracing the principles of inclusive design, we can create more meaningful, impactful, and empowering experiences for all. So, let's ask ourselves not whether inclusive design is trendy, but rather, how we can make it an enduring standard in the design industry.
So what's the end goal? Christina Mallon, Microsoft’s Head of Inclusive Design, says it best: “It’s that inclusive design becomes the only way to design, so that my job as an inclusive designer is just a designer. I want my job to go away.” (fastcompany.com).