This section contains a wide variety of strategic approaches to Design for All, along with conceptual models and techniques for tackling the practical problems of designing inclusively. There is also information on the business benefits of a Design for All management approach, and examples of ways to structure information to support business and design decision-making.
Business strategies, embracing Design for All principles, are in an early stage of evolution and vary depending on the size of the company, the sector in which it operates, whether it is design-led and the depth of understanding and commitment involved.
Several design approaches have been developed in response to population ageing and demands from the disabled community. These vary according to country, local conditions, culture and history, and have become increasingly sophisticated over time.
The process of developing inclusive solutions is evolving rapidly. It requires an extended design approach involving user research and data gathering methods, and checking and evaluation with users, alongside creative concept development techniques.
The emphasis here is on specific guidance, for example on the design of automatic banking machines (ATMs) architectural environments, and age-friendly products and services.
Understanding and interpreting data, say, from population studies, is not easy and makes it inaccessible to designers. Some useful ways of modelling data have been developed to help visualise and quantify how design features impact on users.