An interesting article in Design Week sharing thoughts from leading experts on how inclusive design can help overcome accessibility challenges. This commentary from Household design lead Dan Smith resonated with me.
It is estimated that 1.8 billion people around the world are living with a disability that ‘limits their daily activities’, so as designers it is our duty to ensure that the environments and experiences we create are inclusive to as many people as possible.
What is lacking is the feeling of autonomy. Today, consumers want to have the freedom to customise and personalise their experiences with brands to suit their needs, mood and desire just like everyone else. Too often, disabled customers are offered a lesser experience than their peers and considered an afterthought when it comes to retail layouts – think of the beautiful, grand-stepped entrances to shops with accessible ramps around the back near the bins
With the number of disabled people increasing, we need inclusive design to help us cater for everyone. Let's ensure that ramp is part of the main entrance, not hidden with the bins.....
Post-pandemic society has shown us that we’re more than capable of adapting the way we do things, yet we’re still encountering services and products that are far from being accessible. In a world where digitalisation is the “only way forward” we’re leaving behind large parts of the population that can’t use the products we put in front of them
https://www.designweek.co.uk/issues/15-may-19-may-2023/inclusive-design-accessibility-challenges/