C1 W2 Universal design, inclusive design, and equity-focused design, The importance of accessibility

a11y

=accessibility

Equity - focused design

Designing for groups that have been historically underrepresented or ignored when building products. Thinking through all the aspects of a designed product and making sure the product is both accessible and fair to all genders, races, and abilities.

Accessibility

Designing products, devices, services, or environments for people with disabilities (Accessibility is just one aspect of inclusive design)

inclusive design

In inclusive design, there's no such thing as normal. There's no average person or target audience that we should design for. For example, when designing we focus on the needs of people who are blind and deaf even more than we consider the needs of those who rely on their sight and hearing to communicate. Then as we build more versions of a product, we design for additional excluded groups, like those with physical or cognitive disabilities.

Inclusive design

Inclusive design - Making design choices that take into account personal identifiers like Ability, Race, Economic status, Language, Age, Gender. "Solve for one, extend to many."

What type of user do you solve for inclusive design?

Inclusive design - you solve for one type of user, and the benefit of that solution can extend to many other types of users. Includes researchers and designers from traditionally excluded populations in the process, so they can provide their unique perspectives during all phases of the design process.

Equity

Providing different levels of opportunity and support for each person in order to achieve fair outcomes.

Equality

Providing the same amount of opportunity and support to all segments of society.

Universal design

The process of creating one product for users with the widest of range of abilities and in the widest range of situations. "One size fits all."

What is the goal of equity-focused design?

the equity-focused design seeks to build products that meet the needs of specific individuals in groups who have been excluded Start by identifying a product you want to build. Then, think about the groups that have not been served by this type of product in the past. Finally, build your design while keeping the groups who identified as underrepresented front and center. It's important to keep in mind that equity-focused design doesn't solve all problems, just like inclusive design and universal design don't either. The key point is that these are all different approaches to solving issues of underrepresentation and designing for a more equitable future.

What type of user do you solve for universal design?

universal design is a one-size-fits-all solution, then inclusive design can be described as solve for one, extend to many.