The distinction between accessible design, universal design, and inclusive design
Accessible design means that people with disabilities must be considered when designing, regardless of whether the user has a physical disability, (product , places and services) have the ability to be used freely.
Universal design uses a single solution to meet the needs of as many people as possible.
Inclusive design (inclusive design) is the pursuit in the broadest sense of allowing products to be used by different users (including different physical abilities, languages, cultures, genders, ages, sexual orientations, etc.).
Accessible design, universal design, and inclusive design seem to have similar meanings. It is difficult to find a completely unified term on the Internet, so they are often confused. I tried to find out the relationship between them to better understand and distinguish these three design concepts.
1. What is accessible design?
1. Introduction
Accessible design is the easiest to understand among the three terms. It means that people with disabilities must be considered when designing, and (products, places and services) must be able to be used freely regardless of whether the user has a physical disability. For example, the law stipulates that all buildings must be wheelchair accessible.
2. Features
(1) Target: Disabled people (there are also some opinions that it is for a larger group of people);
(2) Solutions and Purpose: Design to enable disabled people to use it normally.
3. Disadvantages
However, sometimes such designs are forced out of desperation and lack humanistic care. In the United States, many times, “barrier-free design” in the design world only represents the minimum requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Many designers regard the ADA Act as a restriction rather than a way to create an equal and inclusive space. Chance. Therefore, the problems in barrier-free design can be divided into the following points:
(1) Lack of humanistic care. Barrier-free facilities for disabled people are often separated from facilities for able-bodied people, resulting in time-consuming use. A sense of isolation;
(2) Barrier-free design conflicts with other designs. For example, laying a blind path on a narrow sidewalk may cause inconvenience to wheelchairs;
(3) Some The facility or product is intended for a narrow range of users.
As shown in the picture, the Rubik's Cube designed for blind people is difficult for ordinary people to use.
2. What is universal design?
1. Introduction
The original idea of ??universal design comes from architecture and interior design. It was developed in Beijing in 1997. A definition of universal design put forward by the Center for Universal Design at Carolina State University, which is still used today: “A design method and process that makes mainstream products and services accessible to as many users as possible without adaptation or special design. "Universal design has many applications in life. For example, video subtitles are designed for people with hearing impairments, and people with normal hearing can also benefit from subtitles in noisy environments.
2. Features
(1) Object: Universal design is designed for all. It goes beyond barrier-free design and considers other factors in addition to disability. Including age, gender, race, language, etc.;
(2) Solutions and purposes: use a single solution to solve the needs of as many people as possible;
(3) Pay attention to design the result, not the design process.
3. Disadvantages
Because people are complex and diverse, and the environment they live in is constantly changing, it is difficult to meet everyone's needs with a single solution. Universal design aims to solve problems for everyone using a single approach, which inevitably leaves some people out.
The design as shown in the picture uses a method to facilitate people in wheelchairs and carrying luggage, as well as some elderly people with inconveniences.
3. What is inclusive design?
1. Introduction
Inclusive design is sometimes regarded as a synonym for universal design, but they There is still a clear difference between them. Inclusive design refers to: "A design process that is not limited to interfaces and technologies. In this process, products, services, or environments are optimized for specific groups of people with specific needs." It comes from digital product design and is an alternative to universal design further development.
Microsoft definition: Our mission is to give everyone on the planet more. The inclusivity of design opens up the user experience and reflects how people adapt to the surrounding environment
2. Features
(1) Target audience: everyone (expanding from the target group to a wider audience groups);
(2) Solution methods and purposes: Solve the problems of different groups of people in multiple ways to avoid marginalizing anyone;
(3) With people-oriented characteristics, Inclusive design considers environmental “disabilities” rather than individuals, and truly puts the needs of all people at the forefront, rather than assuming an “average” or “norm” to limit its applicable group.
(4) Emphasis on the design process rather than the results
3. Disadvantages
(1) Higher cost, consider everyone’s needs at all stages of design It will take a long time, cost and money
(2) There may be a certain degree of redundant design
As shown in the figure, for example, the design of the elderly version of Alipay is an example of inclusive design. . Users can freely choose to use it, which is convenient for the elderly without affecting the use of ordinary people.
In contrast to solutions in universal design, this staircase takes into account people with different leg disabilities and is designed with diversity in mind. A young man who breaks a leg playing ball can walk down the steps holding on to the handrail instead of taking the wheelchair path.
4. Summary
Barrier-free design, universal design, inclusive design, each design concept is a supplement and development of the previous one, and they are all worthy of understanding and learning, among which Inclusive design is relatively better and more suitable for the design of digital products.
Reference articles
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/zh/voices/inclusive-design-is -human-design/
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Criticisms and corrections are welcome!