Inclusive Design - Redefine Inclusive Designers

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Questions and Answers

Who are considered experts at recognizing exclusion?

Designers with formal training

People who have experienced a high degree of exclusion (correct)

Business owners

Technology experts

What is a key component in recognizing and addressing mismatches?

Conducting market research

Developing a business plan

Hiring designers with formal training

Asking who makes a solution (correct)

What is an important skill for a successful inclusive designer to practice?

Having a traditional design background

Being an expert in technology

Having diverse perspectives and expertise (correct)

Having a business degree

What often gets left out when thinking about human diversity?

Ability Signup and view all the answers

What is true about exclusion experts?

They have solved for mismatches and have insights into design issues Signup and view all the answers

Why are diverse perspectives and expertise important in the design process?

To address design issues and inform the design process Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary challenge in designing for ability?

The sneakiest bias that designers bring to the table Signup and view all the answers

What can exclusion experts do to address their specific needs?

Modify solutions or products Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of a successful inclusive designer?

Having a deep understanding of the problem and insights into design issues Signup and view all the answers

What is the social definition of disability according to the World Health Organization?

A complex phenomenon reflecting the interaction between features of a person's body and features of the society Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important to create a diversity of ways for people to participate?

To make products more accessible to people with disabilities Signup and view all the answers

What is the main issue with the medical model of disability?

It views disability as the result of a physiological or cognitive difference Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary benefit of recognizing ability biases?

Designing products that work for people with diverse abilities Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of a design that prohibited people from participating?

Standard game controllers requiring two hands Signup and view all the answers

What is interdependence in the context of design?

Creating interactions that allow people to contribute their skills in complementary ways Signup and view all the answers

Why is inclusion important in design?

It enables more people to participate and use products Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Study Notes: Redefine Inclusive Designers

Learning Objectives

By completing this unit, you will be able to:

Describe the qualities of successful inclusive designers.
Discuss ability bias.
Describe the social definition of disability.

Deciding Who Designs

Expanded Definition of Designer: Inclusive design involves not just formally trained designers but also exclusion experts who have firsthand experience with exclusion and have solved for mismatches.
Role of Exclusion Experts: These individuals provide valuable insights and should be involved early in the design process to identify and address exclusion effectively.

Skills for Successful Inclusive Designers

Identify Ability Biases: Recognize and address biases related to one’s own abilities that can affect design decisions.
Create Diverse Participation: Design experiences that offer multiple ways for people to participate and engage.
Design for Interdependence: Foster collaboration by creating designs that allow people with complementary skills to work together.

Ability Bias

Definition: The tendency to use one's own abilities as a baseline for designing solutions, leading to designs that may only work well for people with similar abilities.
Impact: Can exclude those with different abilities if not recognized and addressed.
Example: Designing tools or interfaces that assume a certain level of physical or cognitive ability without considering alternatives for those with different capabilities.

WHO’s Definition: Disability is seen as a mismatch between a person’s abilities and their environment or points of interaction, rather than just a medical condition.
Design Implications: Designers have the responsibility to reduce these mismatches through thoughtful, inclusive design choices.

Creating Diverse Ways to Participate

Importance: Ensures that a broader range of people can engage with and benefit from a product or experience.
Example: Adaptive game controllers allow individuals with different physical abilities to play video games, highlighting the need for varied participation methods.

Designing for Interdependence

Concept: Creating designs that encourage and facilitate complementary skill contributions, promoting a collective and inclusive approach.
Benefit: Enhances collaboration and ensures that more people can participate effectively.

Summary

To be a successful inclusive designer, one must expand the definition of who can design, actively identify and mitigate ability biases, understand and apply the social definition of disability, create multiple ways for diverse participation, and design for interdependence. Engaging exclusion experts early in the design process and continuously challenging one’s own biases can lead to more inclusive and effective solutions.

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Description

Learn about the cycle of exclusion and how to recognize habits that perpetuate mismatches. Understand the importance of inclusive design and who should be involved in the design process.