Inclusive Environments Flashcards
What is the definition of an inclusive environment?
inclusive environment is defined as the setting that can be accessed and used safely, easily and with dignity by everyone’, ‘does not physically or socially segregate, discriminate or isolate’ and ‘is well designed, functional, efficient and sustainable, and delivers an enhanced user experience’.
What should an inclusive environment create? What should inclusive environments facilitate?
An inclusive environment recognises and accommodates differences in the way people use the built and natural environment. It facilitates dignified, equal and intuitive use by everyone. It does not physically or socially separate, discriminate or isolate. It readily accommodates and welcomes diverse user needs.
What legislation contributes to creating inclusive environments?
Federal Law No. 29 of 2006 on the rights of persons with disabilities: This law aims to promote the integration and inclusion of persons with disabilities in all aspects of society, including education, employment, and public services. It provides for equal access to services and facilities, as well as reasonable accommodations and support for persons with disabilities.
UAE Labour Law: This law sets out the rights and obligations of employees and employers in the country, including provisions related to equal pay, working conditions, and non-discrimination in hiring and employment practices.
Tell me about the diversity of user needs.
Needs diversity involves accommodating users with different skills, knowledge, age, gender, disabilities, disabling conditions (mobility, sunlight, noise), literacy, culture, income.
How do you promote inclusive environments? How can this create a safe working environment?
Be aware of unconscious bias;
Communicate the importance of managing bias;
Promote pay equity;
Develop a strategic training program;
Acknowledge holidays of all cultures;
Mix up the teams;
Facilitate ongoing feedback;
Comply with company policies;
Track progress over extended periods of time
What is cultural change? How can this be problematic?
How can this be achieved?
Cultural change refers to a shift in the beliefs, values, customs, and behaviors of a particular group of people over time. This can be due to a variety of factors, including advances in technology, globalization, social movements, and generational differences.
Cultural change can be problematic in a number of ways. For example, it can lead to tension and conflict between different cultural groups, especially if one group feels that their values or way of life is being threatened by the change. Additionally, cultural change can disrupt traditional social structures and create uncertainty and anxiety about the future.
In relation to end users and potential needs, explain the principles of direct and indirect discrimination and unconscious bias.
Direct discrimination occurs when a person is treated less favorably than others because of their protected characteristic such as age, gender, race, religion, or disability. This could include refusing to provide a service, denying employment or promotion opportunities, or providing lower quality services or goods based on a person’s protected characteristic.
Indirect discrimination can also occur when policies or practices are based on assumptions that do not take into account the needs of all individuals. Indirect discrimination can be unintentional, but it is still considered unfair and can be challenged under anti-discrimination laws.
Unconscious bias refers to the automatic, unintentional judgments and assumptions that people make about others based on their background, culture, or appearance. These biases are often formed through personal experiences, media, and cultural norms, and can lead to discriminatory behavior, even if the person is not aware of their biases. Unconscious biases can affect decisions related to hiring, promotions, and service provision, and can also contribute to a lack of diversity and inclusion in the workplace or other settings. It is important to recognize and address unconscious bias through education, training, and by actively seeking diverse perspectives and experiences.
What are key requirements for inclusive environments?
Welcoming to everyone.
Responsive to people’s needs.
Flexible.
Offer choice when a single design solution cannot meet all user needs.
Convenient so they can be used without undue effort or special separation and so that they maximise independence.
What is inclusive or universal design?
inclusive design is defined as ‘making places everyone can use’. This removes barriers creating undue effort and separation, enabling all users to ‘participate equally, confidently and independently in everyday environments’.
Placing people at the heart of the design process
Acknowledging diversity and difference
Offering choice where a single solution cannot accommodate all users
Providing flexibility in use
Creating an environment that is convenient and enjoyable for all to use
What is economic inequality?
Economic inequality is the unequal distribution of income and opportunity between different groups in society
What is social cohesion?
Social cohesion involves building shared values and communities of interpretation, reducing disparities in wealth and income, and generally enabling people to have a sense that they are engaged in a common enterprise, facing shared challenges, and that they are members of the same community.
What is gentrification? What issues might it cause?
Gentrification is a process of urban development in which a city neighborhood develops rapidly over a short time, changing from low to high value.
Gentrification usually leads to negative impacts such as forced displacement, a fostering of discriminatory behavior by people in power, and a focus on spaces that exclude low-income individuals and people of color.
What are examples of auxiliary aids and services?
Such resources include portable ramps, chairs to rest on, wheelchairs to assist movement within a space, hearing loops, sign language interpreters and accessible information formats such as Braille, audio tape and large print.
When would you specify either a change to a physical feature or an auxiliary aid/service?
Specifying a change to a physical feature or an auxiliary aid/service may be necessary in situations where an individual with a disability requires an accommodation to access and participate in a program or activity.
A change to a physical feature may be necessary when the physical environment presents a barrier to the individual’s full and equal participation. For example, a ramp may need to be installed to provide access to a building for someone who uses a wheelchair, or an automatic door opener may need to be installed to allow someone with limited mobility to enter and exit a building.
An auxiliary aid/service may be necessary to provide an individual with a disability with equal access to information or communication. For example, a sign language interpreter may be needed to ensure effective communication with someone who is deaf or hard of hearing, or a Braille or large print document may be needed to ensure that someone with a visual impairment can read the information.
What key design principles can be used to achieve inclusive environments?
Placing people at the heart of the design process
Acknowledging diversity and difference
Offering choice where a single solution cannot accommodate all users
Providing flexibility in use
Creating an environment that is convenient and enjoyable for all to use
