1. Introduction to Inclusive Design

Question 1

What is a definition of “inclusion”?

Answer 1

The act or practice of including and accommodating people who have historically been excluded (because of their race, gender, sexuality, or ability)

Question 2

What is a definition of “ableism”?

Answer 2

Ableism is a set of beliefs or practices that discriminate against disabled people

Question 3

What is a typical definition of “disability”?

Answer 3

A disability is a physical or mental impairment that has a ‘substantial’ and ‘long-term’ negative effect on your ability to do normal daily activities (Equality Act, 2010)

Question 4

What percentage of the world’s population are disabled?

Answer 4

16% live with a “significant” disability (WHO, 2023)

Question 5

What are 3 simple classifications of impairments?

Answer 5

Physical, sensory and cognitive

Question 6

What do physical impairments affect?

Answer 6

Function (eg, absence of limb or paralysis)

Mobility (eg, lack of strength, speed and range)

Coordination (eg, tremors, uncontrolled actions, lack of accuracy)

Question 7

Give 3 examples of physical impairments

Answer 7

Cerebral palsy (neurological condition that affects movement and co-ordination)

Arthritis (inflammation of one or more joints, resulting in pain, stiffness and limited movement)

Paraplegia (paralysis of lower limbs)

Question 8

What do visual sensory impairments affect?

Answer 8

Acuity (e.g. blindness, short-sightedness, long-sightedness)

Visual field (e.g. glaucoma, macular degeneration)

Colour perception and contrast sensitivty

Question 9

Give 2 examples of auditory sensory impairments

Answer 9

Hearing loss

Auditory hypersensitivity. Eg Hyperacusis (everyday sounds louder than they should) and Phonophobia (certain sounds anxiety-provoking)

Question 10

What do cognitive impairments affect? (8)

Answer 10

Learning (e.g. dyslexia, autism)

Memory (e.g. dementia, short-term memory loss)

Attention/ concentration (e.g. ADHD)

Speech and language (e.g. dyslexia, aphasia)

Problem solving and reasoning (e.g. dementia, brain injury)

Intellectual functioning

Co-cordination (e.g. dyspraxia, multiple sclerosis)

Personality disorders

Question 11

What are the 3 levels of persistence of a disability?

Answer 11

Situational (e.g. a bartender in a loud nightclub)

Temporary (e.g. ear infection)

Permanent (e.g. deaf)

Question 12

What is the medical model of disability?

Answer 12

The medical sees a disability as a problem to be fixed, it sees disability as a deficit.

A disability is something that medical intervention can cure or at least suppress.

Often associated with people-first language (“people with disabilities”).

Question 13

What is the social model of disability?

Answer 13

Disability is a social construct created by the interaction between people with impairments and exclusionary societies.

It focuses on barriers created by environments and societies that “disable” people.

Often associated with identity-first language (“disabled people”).

Question 14

What are 4 arguments for inclusive design?

Answer 14

Legal
Economic
Usability
Ethical

Question 15

What is the legal argument for inclusive design?

Answer 15

Accessibility is mandated by law and regulations

Discrimination is prohibited by law (e.g Equality Act 2010 (UK))

Question 16

Define the Equality Act 2010 (UK)

Answer 16

A person who provides a service to the public must not discriminate against a person requiring the service and have a duty to make reasonable adjustments where necessary

Question 17

What is the economic argument for inclusive design?

Answer 17

Disabled people up 20% of all customers for an average business

The UK disabled consumer market size is equivalent to £80 billion

Question 18

What are the benefits of being accessible / inclusive? (5)

Answer 18

Expanding and diversifying the customer base.

Financial benefits

Loyal customer base and repeat business.

Improved reputation and ‘free’ word of mouth advertising.

Competitive advantage

Question 19

What is the usability argument for inclusive design?

Answer 19

Inclusive design that caters for a diverse range of users often results in usability improvements for everyone

Examples:
Uncluttered layouts
Clear navigation
Sufficient visual contrast

Question 20

What is the ethical argument for inclusive design?

Answer 20

Disabled people have the right to fully participate in society, this means they need access to mainstream technologies, services and environments

Question 21

What is a definition of inclusive design?

Answer 21

Inclusive design makes technology more usable to under-served populations

An approach to designing where designers ensure that their products and services address the needs of the widest possible audience, irrespective of age or ability (Design Council, 2008).

Question 22

What are the 7 ID principles by the ID community?

Answer 22

Comparable experience - e.g. alt text and captions

Control - e.g don’t suppress zoom

Consistency - e.g. common design patterns

Content - Prioritise features and info for core tasks e.g. compose email button

Choice - e.g. multiple ways to delete, swipe/ button

Consider situation - e.g. outdoors, increase glare

Value - improve experience e.g. show password/ show face ID