Inclusive Design

Inclusive design is a discipline of design that emphasizes designing products and services that work for people of all demographics, perspectives, and abilities, with a focus on those who may have been historically marginalized or excluded.

One tenet of inclusive design, as outlined by Microsoft, is “solve for one, extend to many”, or the idea that inclusive design practices benefit people universally.

Inclusive design focuses on designing for users of all demographics and abilities, while accessibility is specifically focused on designing for people with disabilities. Inclusive design may focus on a range of specialized solutions, while “universal design” focuses on creating one experience that can include as many people as possible.

Any product that doesn’t consider accessibility and equity may (whether intentionally or not) exclude a portion of the population who would otherwise find it useful.

Resources

• Nielsen Norman Group: Inclusive Design
• Microsoft: Inclusive Design
• The Design Justice Network
• Inclusive Design Research Centre: What is Inclusive Design