Embracing Inclusivity in Design: Perspectives from Our Team

What is Inclusive Design?

To kickstart the dialogue, Michael likens inclusive design to planning a perfect party. He notes, “Imagine you’re throwing a big party. You want everyone to feel welcome, comfortable, and excited to join in…” This metaphor beautifully encapsulates the essence of inclusive design, urging us to consider diverse needs and perspectives to create experiences that are welcoming for all.

Mark describes it as “holistic design.” He emphasizes that it’s about “finding solutions that work across a single challenge,” highlighting the importance of embracing non-uniformity in human experiences.

Consequences of Non-Inclusive Design

Charlee warns about the pitfalls of overlooking inclusivity: “Design bias occurs when products, services, or systems are created with assumptions that prioritise certain users over others—often unintentionally…” Her insights remind us that neglecting diversity not only alienates users but also creates barriers.

Claire expands on this by illustrating specific areas affected by non-inclusive design. She points out that a design bias can lead to exclusion, reduced adoption, and even legal consequences.

Celebrating Inclusive Designs

Are there good examples of inclusive design? Laura, one of our Senior UX researchers, highlights “God of War: Ragnarok” as a beacon of inclusive and accessible design, demonstrating how entertainment can be made accessible to a broader audience.

Christine brings attention to a practical everyday issue: the disparity in restroom design. “Have you ever gone to the mall, a concert, or some other event and seen the long line out the door of the women’s room and no line at all for the men’s room?”. Highlighting a simple yet impactful way to apply inclusive design principles in public spaces.

Michael provides another example through closed captions on TV and streaming services: “They were originally created so people with hearing impairments could follow along with shows, but they also help folks in noisy places (like a busy cafe)…” This illustrates how inclusive design can benefit a wide array of users beyond its initial intention.

Alessandra adds the example of public transportation, emphasizing “buses with platforms that lower for wheelchair users and bike racks for cyclists”. If done well, thoughtful design can accommodate diverse needs.

Understanding and Overcoming Bias

Christine delves into why biases exist in design, noting that they often stem from not having the right people at the table or failing to listen to diverse perspectives. She stresses the importance of diverse user testing and representation within development teams to combat these biases.

Claire adds to Christine’s point by discussing several root causes that influence bias in a product, including limited diversity in design teams and data bias. She provides a stark example with car safety testing, which historically favored male bodies, leading to higher risks for women in accidents.

“But bias isn’t just a modern issue—it’s deeply rooted in history, culture, and the systems we’ve built. Consider this: when a woman is involved in a car crash, she is 47% more likely to be seriously injured and 17% more likely to die than a man. Why? Because for decades, car safety testing was designed by and for men”

Charlee contributed an insightful remark to the discussion, “To understand why there is design bias, firstly we should ask if the bias was intentional (explicit) or unintentional (implicit).” This introspection is vital for identifying and addressing biases in design processes.

Building a Future with Inclusive Design

Michael concludes the conversation by urging us to recognize our biases and take proactive steps towards inclusivity: “Recognising our own biases is the first step towards inclusive design that welcomes everyone…” By fostering diverse teams and engaging in thorough user testing, we can uncover and mitigate biases, paving the way for a more inclusive future.

In celebrating International Women’s Day, let’s commit to integrating inclusivity into our design practices, ensuring that everyone feels welcome and valued in the spaces and experiences we create.

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