Inclusive design: it’s a no-brainer

avatar

Posted by Dave Barrett

Get online writer

March 13th 2013 at 16:26

Categories

Technology & Communication

Share

inclusive design

As readers of my blogs will know: I am passionate about inclusive design.

Inclusive design isn’t an after-thought. To me, it’s the fundamental building block of good design.  Someone recently sent me a link to a video on the KT-EQUAL web site which I really wanted to share. KT-EQUAL, for those that don’t know, is a consortium of UK researchers dedicated to extending quality life for older and disabled people.

If you’re involved in design, or you have any interest in this area, I really do recommend that you take a look at this video. It touches on so many of our own views and opinions of inclusive design. It really is interesting to see it in action.

Here at BT, we don’t just believe in inclusive design. We embrace it. A good example of this is the BT Freestyle 700 family of phones, which was awarded bronze in the DBA Design Effectiveness Awards. I’ve already blogged about this and about how the designers The Alloy worked on refining the product.

As part of that process they were able to draw upon the guidance of the inclusive design toolkit, which was developed by the Engineering Design Centre at the University of Cambridge and is sponsored by BT.

Not only does it make the case for inclusive design, as its name suggests, it provides an array of tools for designers to use when working on new products. It allows them to consider how those with impairments might struggle to use a product. If you work in this field or product development, it’s well worth a read. And while I’m plugging things, you can download a copy of the BT guide to inclusive design here.

Download our free BT Wi-fi app

All our broadband packages include FREE BT Wi-fi access at 4.5 million UK hotspots.

 

 

Related Articles

More articles by Dave Barrett

Comments

Please leave your comments using the box below. Learn more

BT is not responsible for any external content or links uploaded by users of the site. Nor does the presence of information or links about other parties' products or services confer any form of endorsement of another party's products or services by BT. Please visit the BT Life user guide for more information.