Countering design exclusion

Abstract

It is known that many products, both software and hardware, are not accessible to large sections of the population. Designers instinctively design for able-bodied users and are either unaware of the needs of users with different capabilities, or do not know how to accommodate their needs into the design cycle. This chapter presents a model of the information flow required for successful inclusive design (the ‘Knowledge Loop’), along with a methodological design approach for implementing successful inclusive design (the 7-Level approach).