The Role of Material Selection in Inclusive Design

About Inclusive design 

Inclusive design is known as universal design; it’s a similar concept that is created for all types of people to use. This type of design aims to make it accessible and usable for as many people as possible, specifically disabled or handicapped people of all ages. Inclusive design describes methodologies to create products that understand and enable people of all backgrounds and abilities. It may address accessibility, age, situation, geographic location, etc. This is a universal design that refers to and includes products, environments, programs, and services. Inclusive design is a methodological approach to design that focuses on ensuring a product, app, software, or website can be used effectively by a diverse group of people, including people with and without disabilities. Inclusive design works in a suitable, required environment according to people’s needs. It helps to improve the user’s experience. Inclusive design aims to remove maximum barriers and enable everyone to participate equally, confidently, and independently in everyday activities. Inclusive design is a process. Its impact on people’s lifestyles.

Principles of Inclusive Design

1. Recognize diversity and uniqueness. 

Consider only one personalized piece of material for both individual audiences and groups with similar characteristics. 

2. Inclusive processes and tools 

This process begins with teamwork. It is important to ensure people have diverse perspectives because it’s part of deciding on teamwork. 

3. Broader beneficial impact:

Inclusive design isn’t possible without understanding the border impact of the material that is created. Designing for inclusivity means striving to have a positive impact on both the primary audience and beyond. 

Architecture and inconclusive Designative design

Architecture helps to express inclusive design concepts with space designs; it’s a medium for providing the required lifestyle according to user types of inclusive design. While designing any inclusive space, some factors should be considered because factors are related to user types and user requirements, so according to the user’s requirements, inclusive design can be created for both disabled and non-disabled people. 

Architects should consider factors while designing inclusive spaces.

1. It should consider who or what type of user group will be residing in the space. 
2. Understand user needs and requirements.
3. Count the total population and understand the total disabled population.
4. Incorporate some specific features, like accessibility, ergonomic design elements, appropriate lighting, acoustic material, and texture, according to sensory needs. 
5. Consider user types with the user’s lifestyle, so it will be helpful while designing space according to user behaviour inside space. 
6. Create a comfortable spatial experience for all users. 

Benefits of Providing Inclusive Design 

1. Inclusive design places people at the heart of the design process. 
2. Inclusive design acknowledges diversity and difference. 
3. Inclusive design offers a choice where a single design solution cannot accommodate all users. 4. Inclusive design provides for flexibility in use. 
4. Inclusive design provides buildings and environments that are convenient and enjoyable to use for everyone. 
5. Inclusive design is easy to use, so everyone can use them safely, easily, and with dignity. 
6. It is flexible and convenient, allowing different people, including disabled and non-disabled people, to use it in a variety of ways. Additionally, everyone can use this type of designed space without much effort or separation.
7. It balances everyone’s needs. It accommodates people of all ages, genders, and mobility in all situations. 

Materials and Inclusive Design 

Inclusive design and material have a close relationship with each other; without proper selection of material, inclusive design cannot be made properly. Inclusive design and materials play a major role in creating a spatial experience for users. Materials can enhance the user’s experience with more than just visual and aesthetic uses. Different types of material have different types of textures, like smooth texture, rough texture, plain texture, uneven texture, even texture, etc. These types of textures can take place with material selection. And because of different types of textures, the space experience for the user varies from material to material. Hence, the selection of materials is an important step in the inclusive design process. 

Materials and Selection Criteria 

Considering accessibility in material selection is a critical aspect of inclusive design. Here are some key points to consider:

1. Material durability 
2. Ease of Maintenance 
3. Non-toxicity and allergens
4. Texture and Tactility 
5. Contrast and visibility 
6. Acoustic Properties 
7. Flexibility and adaptability Environmental 
8. Sustainability 

Inclusive Design and Accessibility 

Accessibility mainly focuses on people with disabilities. Accessibility helps to fulfil and relate to inclusive design features. Accessibility addresses issues related to age and disability to provide comfortable living for those users. 

Examples of Inclusive Design and Materials

Some examples of inclusive design solutions and the materials used to implement them are:

1. Inclusive clothing and footwear 

For this inclusivity, accommodate according to diverse body shapes, sizes, and mobility needs. Examples include magnetic closures and adjustable waistbands. Materials used for this, such as stretch fabrics and moisture-wicking linings, are used for easy, comfortable use. 

2. Accessible outdoor recreational space 

This type of design considers accessibility for all types of users. Examples of this type are wheelchairs with stabilized surfaces, inclusive play structures with ramped access and sensory elements, adaptive sports courts with adjustable hoop heights, and seating areas. All these features are inclusive design features that are helpful for all disabled as well as non-disabled people while using outdoor recreational spaces. Material use for this is environmentally sustainable, which promotes physical activity in outdoor spaces and nature appreciation for users of all abilities.

3. Inclusive learning spaces 

Inclusive learning spaces are easy to use for user features such as adjustable-height desks according to the type of user who will use the desk for learning, flexible seating options, and sensory-friendly environments. Materials are also used and selected according to ease and flexibility of features; sound-absorbing acoustic panels are used for furniture in classrooms with writable surfaces; and modular furniture systems are used to create adaptable learning spaces that accommodate diverse learning styles and sensory needs.

4. Accessible public transportation vehicles 

For transportation, there are convenient inclusive access features such as low-floor boarding, fold-down ramps, and seating areas with garb grass and wheelchair restraints. 

Also, there are materials used, like slip-resistant flooring, antimicrobial upholstery, and impact-resistant plastics, to create a safe and comfortable transit environment that helps to fulfill passengers with diverse needs and preferences. 

Above fig. explains that inclusive design is part accessibility, usability these are important aspect which is related to inclusive design. These all factors are helpful to fulfil and create inclusive barrier free accessible design and environment. 

References:

Article, what is inclusive design [Photograph], (n.d.). Retrieved from website: – www. imaginovation.net: 

https://imaginovation.net/blog/inclusive-design-complete-guide/

Article, about inclusive design [Photograph], (n.d.). Retrieved from website: – www.consulting.us: 

https://imaginovation.net/blog/inclusive-design-complete-guide/