Inclusive & Participatory Application Design

apply to technology related work

• design
• development
• implementation

How can we help close gaps and reduce barriers?

Inclusion

• participatory design
  • include traditional excluded individuals in processes, design. development, and implementation

Accessibility (auditory, cognitive, physical, visual)

follow w3c WCAG guidelines (2.1)

• perceivable
  • text alternatives
  • captions
  • be presented in different ways
  • users able to see and hear content
• operable
  • functionality available from keyboard
  • enough time to read and use content
  • do not use content that causes seizures or physical reactions
  • help nav and find content
  • easier to use inputs other than keyboards
• Understandable
  • readable text / understandable
  • content appears and operates in predictable ways
  • help avoid and correct mistakes
• Robust
  • utilize web standards

Use participatory design

two good methods:

• journey mapping
• empathy collage

Build awareness of bias

• encoded bias
• ways they are introduced
• personal bias? implicit?
• use implicit association test - project implicit (harvard)
• rockefeller archive center

Develop accountability

• engage and empower
• provide ethical access
• collaborate / build networks, not silos
• create safe spaces for feedback and respond prompty
• create a culture of learning
• invest in professional development / build community

Notes:

Universal Design (more widely used)

Enforces a single design solution without need for adaptations or specialized design

• equitable use
• flexibility in use
• simple and intuitive
• perceptible information
• tolerance for error
• low physical effort
• size and space for approach and use

Inclusive Design (digital product design)

accepts and embraces multiple design variations so long as they achieve the desired outcome