Designing for inclusion is internationally known as inclusive design or design for all. The inclusive design does not exclude anyone for who or what the person is. The idea of inclusive design is allowing as many people as possible to use products, buildings and services. Inclusive design is important for many reasons, but the most crucial is that it enhances the user experience of a diverse audience. The term user experience describes all the aspects of the experience of the user when interacting with a product, service, surrounding or facility. The term is mostly used when designing websites or applications. Besides that, the term can also be used when talking about product interaction, including non-digital use. To account for differences, inclusive design revolves around nine characteristics. It involves age, abilities, religion, ethnicity, social-economic status, sexual orientation, background, nationality and sex. These together are the ADDRESSING characteristics.
The inclusive design creates a feeling of belonging
Almost a billion people, or 15% of the population, are affected by some sort of disability. Empathy for a diverse audience is an important aspect of inclusive design. It helps to create an experience where users feel a sense of belonging, rather than feeling left out.
Consumers embrace companies with purpose
Companies that choose inclusive design are more likely to become market leaders. Offering equal access and opportunities do not stay unnoticed by consumers. Almost ⅔ of the consumers prefer a company with purpose, while deliberately avoiding those who do not.
Inclusive websites: What is the focus and what does it yield?
To achieve an inclusive website, it is important to involve all types of users in the process. Each user has their own needs, all these needs make the palette that is taken into account in the design. A low-literate person will benefit from a feature that reads the text aloud or that many images are used. Someone who is visually impaired, on the other hand, will benefit from a good structure and an accessible site. All of these needs need to be combined to create an inclusive website that has a good user experience for everyone. Basically, an inclusive website is accessible, user-friendly and provides a good user experience. Visitors like to have a website that does not require them to click too often, scroll too far or wait too long for the information they are looking for. Search engines also value user experiences that take inclusion into account in their design. By including alt text for images, subtitles in videos and descriptive link text, a page may be ranked higher than pages without it. Finally, an inclusive website can increase sales because it is accessible to all potential customers.
Three short examples of frontrunners in the world of design for all
| Microsoft Microsoft’s mission is to empower everyone and help every organisation in the world to achieve more. At Microsoft, people are at the center of the process from the start and that leads to real insight. | Apple Apple’s emojis are a great example of inclusive design. They are easy to use, as they are adapted to different situations. This may include physical, mental, religious, social or cultural differences. | Netflix Netflix has an interface that is suitable for everyone. Netflix is also user-friendly for the blind. Blind people can now listen to audio sounds that explain what is happening on the screen. |
Sources
Qu’est-ce que le design inclusif ? Définition et exemples: https://blog.hubspot.fr/website/design-inclusif
A people centred strategy for innovation: https://doga.no/en/tools/inclusive-design/?lang=en_GB
Qu’est-ce que le design inclusif et pourquoi est-il important: https://lagrandeourse.design/blog/tout-ce-quil-faut-savoir-sur-le-design-inclusif/#:~:text=Le%20design%20inclusif%20est%20un,produit%20ou%20d’un%20service.
What is Inclusive Design? Principles and Examples: https://xd.adobe.com/ideas/principles/design-systems/what-is-inclusive-design-principles-and-examples/
Gebruikerservaring: https://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gebruikerservaring
Design moet gewoon exclusief zijn: https://www.marketingfacts.nl/berichten/design-moet-gewoon-inclusief-zijn/