Introduction
Inclusive design is an approach that aims to create products and experiences that are accessible and usable by everyone, regardless of their abilities or disabilities. However, creating inclusive designs is not always easy, and designers often face numerous challenges and setbacks along the way. According to a study by the World Health Organization (WHO), 15% of the global population, or approximately 1 billion people, live with some form of disability (1). This staggering statistic highlights the importance of inclusive design and the potential consequences of failure.
In this blog post, we will explore the lessons that can be learned from failure in inclusive design and how designers can use these lessons to create better, more accessible experiences for all users.
Failure Lesson 1: Lack of User Research
One of the most common mistakes designers make when creating inclusive designs is not conducting sufficient user research. According to a study by the Design Management Institute, 71% of designers believe that user research is essential for creating successful designs, but only 45% of designers actually conduct user research (2). This lack of research can lead to designs that are not user-friendly and do not meet the needs of users with disabilities.
For example, in 2017, the popular social media platform, Instagram, launched a new feature that allowed users to share photos and videos with their followers. However, the feature was not accessible to users with visual impairments, as it did not include alternative text for images (3). This oversight was a result of a lack of user research and testing with users with disabilities.
Solution: Conduct Inclusive User Research
To avoid this mistake, designers should conduct inclusive user research, which involves recruiting participants with a range of abilities and disabilities. This can include conducting surveys, interviews, and usability testing with users who have disabilities. By conducting inclusive user research, designers can gain a better understanding of the needs and experiences of users with disabilities and create designs that meet those needs.
Failure Lesson 2: Insufficient Accessibility Features
Another mistake designers make is not including sufficient accessibility features in their designs. According to a study by the WebAIM Million, 98% of websites have at least one accessibility error (4). This lack of accessibility features can make it difficult or impossible for users with disabilities to use products and experiences.
For example, in 2019, the popular video streaming platform, Netflix, was sued by a group of deaf and hard-of-hearing viewers who claimed that the platform did not provide sufficient closed captions for its videos (5). This lack of accessibility features was a result of a lack of attention to accessibility during the design process.
Solution: Prioritize Accessibility Features
To avoid this mistake, designers should prioritize accessibility features during the design process. This can include including alternative text for images, providing closed captions for videos, and ensuring that products are compatible with assistive technologies. By prioritizing accessibility features, designers can create products and experiences that are accessible to all users.
Failure Lesson 3: Ignoring Feedback from Users with Disabilities
A third mistake designers make is ignoring feedback from users with disabilities. According to a study by the Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund, 67% of users with disabilities report experiencing accessibility issues when using digital products (6). However, designers often fail to solicit feedback from users with disabilities or ignore feedback when it is provided.
For example, in 2018, the popular social media platform, Twitter, launched a new feature that allowed users to share audio clips. However, the feature was not accessible to users who are deaf or hard-of-hearing, as it did not include transcripts of the audio clips (7). Despite receiving feedback from users with disabilities, Twitter failed to make the necessary changes to make the feature accessible.
Solution: Solicit and Incorporate Feedback from Users with Disabilities
To avoid this mistake, designers should solicit feedback from users with disabilities and incorporate that feedback into their designs. This can include conducting user testing with users who have disabilities and soliciting feedback through surveys and interviews. By incorporating feedback from users with disabilities, designers can create products and experiences that meet the needs of all users.
Failure Lesson 4: Lack of Diversity in Design Teams
A fourth mistake designers make is not having a diverse team of designers. According to a study by the McKinsey Global Institute, companies with diverse teams are more likely to outperform companies without diverse teams (8). However, designers often fail to prioritize diversity when assembling their teams.
For example, in 2020, the popular design firm, IDEO, faced criticism for its lack of diversity in its design teams (9). The criticism highlighted the need for design firms to prioritize diversity and inclusion in their hiring practices.
Solution: Prioritize Diversity and Inclusion in Design Teams
To avoid this mistake, designers should prioritize diversity and inclusion when assembling their teams. This can include seeking out designers with a range of backgrounds and experiences and actively recruiting designers with disabilities. By prioritizing diversity and inclusion, designers can create teams that are better equipped to design inclusive products and experiences.
Conclusion
Inclusive design is an approach that aims to create products and experiences that are accessible and usable by everyone, regardless of their abilities or disabilities. However, creating inclusive designs is not always easy, and designers often face numerous challenges and setbacks along the way. By learning from failure and incorporating the lessons learned into their designs, designers can create better, more accessible experiences for all users. We would love to hear from you - what lessons have you learned from failure in inclusive design? Share your experiences in the comments below!
References:
(1) World Health Organization. (2011). World Report on Disability.
(2) Design Management Institute. (2017). The Business Value of Design.
(3) Instagram. (2017). Introducing Instagram Stories.
(4) WebAIM Million. (2020). WebAIM Million.
(5) Netflix. (2019). Lawsuit alleging lack of closed captions.
(6) Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund. (2019). The Accessibility of Digital Products.
(7) Twitter. (2018). New feature - audio clips.
(8) McKinsey Global Institute. (2018). Diversity Matters.
(9) IDEO. (2020). Criticism for lack of diversity.