This website, originally named the RSA Inclusive Design Resource, was developed from a proposal made by Professor Coleman, Director, The Helen Hamlyn Research Centre (HHRC), Royal College of Art - the UK's first professor of inclusive design, with the intention of providing an online resource for inclusive design to aid tutors, students, professional designers and business/industry. The prototype stage of the project had already been completed by the i~design team - HHRC, Design Council, University of Cambridge and the London Institute - with initial funding from the EPSRC. Final development and implementation for the Resource was carried out by the RSA and the website has been live since July 2004.
The RSA's role finished in July 2006 with the donation of the Resource to the European Design for All e-Accessibility Network or EDeAN. With the announcement in Lisbon of the i2010 initiative - this network, and the resources that it provides, will become even more important as a tool to raise awareness of the role of inclusive design in achieving greater accessibility to the information society throughout Europe. The Resource will benefit from greater exposure across all twenty five member states and this migration fulfils a major aim of the RSA - to initiate projects and then to hand them on to appropriate organisations for continued development.
RSA
The Royal Society for the encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce is an independent, non-aligned, multi-disciplinary registered charity with over 25,000 Fellows (or members) which encourages the development of a principled and prosperous society.
i~design
A three-year (2000-2003) EQUAL research project undertaken by the UK Design Council, the Engineering Design Centre at Cambridge University, the Design for Ability Unit of the London Institute, and the Helen Hamlyn Research Centre at the Royal College of Art.
EPSRC
Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council. One of the UK Research Councils which distribute research funds against objectives set by the Government, and in particular the Department of Trade and Industry in the case of the EQUAL programme.
With thanks to
Cherie Lebbon as the main developer and driving force behind the creation of this Resource.
For initial prototype: Roger Coleman, Cherie Lebbon and the RCA; John Clarkson and the University of Cambridge; John Corcoran and Wire Design and the EPSRC for its initial funding of the prototype.
For implementation: Colette Nicolle and Loughborough University; Roger Coleman, Cherie Lebbon and the RCA; Andrew Summers, Paul Crake, Cheryl Kingsland from the RSA; John Corcoran, Stephen Moggan and Wire Design.
For migration development: Susan Hewer, Emma Wrafter and the RSA; John Corcoran, Stephen Moggan, Rob Sharp and Wire Design; Joy Goodman - University of Cambridge; Gill Whitney - Middlesex University; Päivi Tahkokallio, Mira Koivusilta and STAKES; Sifis Klironomos and FORTH-ICS; and the RSA for funding implementation, further development and migration.
And to all those who have supported the Resource, suggested new sources, tools and ideas, especially the EDeAN membership who have enthusiastically embraced this site.
