1. Introduction to Inclusive Design Flashcards
What is a definition of “inclusion”?
The act or practice of including and accommodating people who have historically been excluded (because of their race, gender, sexuality, or ability)
What is a definition of “ableism”?
Ableism is a set of beliefs or practices that discriminate against disabled people
What is a typical definition of “disability”?
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)
What percentage of the world’s population are disabled?
16% live with a “significant” disability (WHO, 2023)
What are 3 simple classifications of impairments?
Physical, sensory and cognitive
What do physical impairments affect?
Function (eg, absence of limb or paralysis)
Mobility (eg, lack of strength, speed and range)
Coordination (eg, tremors, uncontrolled actions, lack of accuracy)
Give 3 examples of physical impairments
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)
What do visual sensory impairments affect?
Acuity (e.g. blindness, short-sightedness, long-sightedness)
Visual field (e.g. glaucoma, macular degeneration)
Colour perception and contrast sensitivty
Give 2 examples of auditory sensory impairments
Hearing loss
Auditory hypersensitivity. Eg Hyperacusis (everyday sounds louder than they should) and Phonophobia (certain sounds anxiety-provoking)
What do cognitive impairments affect? (8)
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
What are the 3 levels of persistence of a disability?
Situational (e.g. a bartender in a loud nightclub)
Temporary (e.g. ear infection)
Permanent (e.g. deaf)
What is the medical model of disability?
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”).
What is the social model of disability?
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”).
What are 4 arguments for inclusive design?
Legal
Economic
Usability
Ethical
What is the legal argument for inclusive design?
Accessibility is mandated by law and regulations
Discrimination is prohibited by law (e.g Equality Act 2010 (UK))
Define the Equality Act 2010 (UK)
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
What is the economic argument for inclusive design?
Disabled people up 20% of all customers for an average business
The UK disabled consumer market size is equivalent to £80 billion
What are the benefits of being accessible / inclusive? (5)
Expanding and diversifying the customer base.
Financial benefits
Loyal customer base and repeat business.
Improved reputation and ‘free’ word of mouth advertising.
Competitive advantage
What is the usability argument for inclusive design?
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
What is the ethical argument for inclusive design?
Disabled people have the right to fully participate in society, this means they need access to mainstream technologies, services and environments
What is a definition of inclusive design?
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).
What are the 7 ID principles by the ID community?
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