Amys+Inclusive+Design

=**__Inclusive Design.__**=


 * __What is Inclusive Design?__**

Inclusive Design is the design of information, products and environments that can be used by everyone, including those with a disability, to the greatest extent possible, without the need for special adaptation or specialised design. Anyone can use Inclusive Design, its intent is to make life simpler by designing and making products, information and the built environment more usable by everyone at a little or no extra cost, and people of all ages and abilities can use it.

There is an increasing number of designers using Inclusive Design because of a greater awareness of new legislation, the increase of an older population, changing consumer expectations and new procurement policies.

Inclusive Design is not however, a stage that can be added in the design process, or solely about designing products for the disabled. It does not imply that it is always possible/appropriate to design one product to satisfy the needs of the entire population nor should it always be easy to use. Inclusive Design is different to other product designs because it is available to anyone, whereas most products are designed for only the able-bodied user in mind. Researchers at the Engineerring Design Center, Department of Engineeering, Cambridge intend to re-educate designers to design mainstream products that can be used by anyone.

**__What is needed.__**

 * Functional** – The product must have features that suit the needs and wishes of the intended users, just because a product has a large variety of features does not mean it is functional.


 * Usable** – We need the product to be not just useable but agreeable and satisfying to use because those that take longer with a higher demand will cause frustration in the user. An inability to use a product can make the brand negative; in extreme cases extended difficulties can lead to people thinking they are no longer able to lead an independent life.


 * Pleasing** – A product can be pleasing because of aesthetic properties or a nice touch, initiating social status or supplying a better quality of life.


 * Feasible** – The success of a product can be determined by its profitability. This can be achieved with a product that is efficient, usable and wanted, which is on the market at the right time and price.

__How important is Inclusive Design?__
I think Inclusive Design is very important because it can be used universally, which is very important for those who are less able. It has a good intent; to make life simpler at no extra cost which will be very desirable in future years. Inclusive Design is better design, it improves product experience across a wide range of users. There are a considerable amount of good things about Inclusive Design, the most important being it can keep up with an ageing population. By 2020, nearly half the adult population in the UK will be over 50 years old, with people facing everyday challenges as a result of failing mobility, vision and hearing. Inclusive Design intends improve those problems as well as reducing the level of frustration that many able-bodied people experience when using the same products.

A garden store in the UK called B&Q used Inclusive Design when they collaborated with the Helen Hamlyn Center, to research how they could improve garden power tools. User research discovered a problem with posture for some people using pressure washers. The researchers developed a new handle so it was held like a broom instead of a gun, it improved control, posture and reach considerably. It also included a new connector to attach different nozzles that improved the physical sensory and cognitive demands on the user.

__**Why is this useful?**__ The new inclusively designed pressure washer is better than the previous because it has a longer handle so it improves posture; eliminating bending over. It also improves control of the washer so it is easier to use

I also found this video that shows a good example of Inclusive Design, working with people from Cambridge - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kS5ipjIkifo

__**My Presentation On Incremental Design.**__

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