Considerations for inclusive design

When we think about making a product inclusive for a variety of different people, there are so many things to consider.

Firstly, there are physical considerations, such as a person’s mobility, flexibility, or strength. This means we need to place buttons in cars easily within reach, or make a product an ideal weight.

Secondly, there are sensory considerations, including people’s sight, touch, hearing, taste, or smell. We might make things brightly coloured so they’re easier to see, or include notches on buttons so people can find the right one when not looking.

Finally, there are cognitive considerations, which focus on our mental ability. This includes memory, attention span, and communication abilities. We might ensure key information about a product is always visible, or use images to communicate safety warnings.

Inclusive design circular diagram with three sections coming to the middle under the overall term usability. The first section titled physical is divided into strength, mobility, flexibility, dexterity and reach. The second section titled cognitive is divided into memory, problem solving, communication, recognition and attention. The third section titled sensory is divided into sight, hearing, touch, smell and taste.

Courtesy of DCA Design