Inclusive design

https://goo.gl/vk3MXo

What is meant by Inclusive Design?

Whilst it can be easy and tempting to build solutions based upon our own needs and experiences, if you are designing solutions which will impact other people (specific customers, colleagues or the general public), it is imperative to consider the needs of different users so that you do not unintentionally exclude anyone.

Inclusive design begins with curiosity; thinking proactively about how others may experience or use a product or service based on their ability or way of working.

Some example high level considerations:

  • How will blind people use my website?
  • Do Deaf customers have an accessible alternative to contacting us by phone?
  • Will wheelchair users have easy access around this space?
  • Will this be easy to read and understand for someone with Dyslexia?
  • Is this button easy to push if you have a dexterity impairment?

Inclusive design affects the way we approach project design, how we develop the design process and the tangible end result.

Inclusive design is key to accessible design but in reality a business will benefit from designing products and services to be inclusive for all customers, and there are lots of great examples of how inclusive design can benefit everyone:

  • Ramps, which benefit those with prams and suitcases - not just wheelchair users
  • Mobile web chat systems which benefit those on-the-go - as well as those who can’t use the telephone
  • Subtitles on videos which benefit people watching filmed content in a noisy space – as well as people with a hearing impairment.
  • Barclays is committed to the principal of inclusive design, which helps us to get it right first time. Retrospectively adapting for accessibility is time consuming and costly
  • We have created a video to help people who build digital technology to think about the need for inclusive design. Watch the short film Let’s Talk Accessibility to understand more (opens in a new window).
  • We have leveraged Inclusive Design Principles from best practice created by The Paciello Group^ (opens in a new window) and created our very own Inclusive Design Principles infographics. We’ve created both a single page version as well as individual posters.

One Page A3 Inclusive Design Principles PDF† (543KB) (Opens in a new window)

Individual Posters A4 Inclusive Design Principles PDF† (2MB) (Opens in a new window)

We've created ways to help our colleagues understand and deliver inclusive design, from initial project design, throughout implementation and into customer service. This ensures we are embedding our vision into the heart of our operations.