Understanding HCI

inclusive design

What is Inclusive Design?

Inclusive design is a general approach to designing in which designers ensure that their products and services address the needs of the widest possible audience, irrespective of age or ability.

Impairment

  1. Covers the range of conditions which lead to a person being disabled
  2. Part of a person’s physical being or cognitive ability which does not function in the same way as most people’s
  3. Includes
    1. Visual impairments,
    2. Hearing impairments,
    3. Mobility impairments,
    4. Medical conditions (e.g. epilepsy or asthma) and
    5. Cognitive or learning issues

Why Use it?

"The power of the Web is in its universality. Access by everyone regardless of disability is an essential aspect."

Tim Berners-Lee, W3C Director and inventor of the World Wide Web

Exercise

In small groups of 2/3 discuss how the design of a touchscreen information kiosk could be modified to accomodate:

  1. individuals using a wheelchair
  2. blind individuals
  3. those with low reading levels
  4. deaf individuals

Do any of their requirements conflict?

Further Reading

  1. How People with Disabilities Use the Web
  2. WebAIM Screen Reader Simulation
  3. WebAIM Distractibility Simulation