Why inclusive design makes smarter technology for all

Inclusive design is gaining traction as a way to create smarter, more adaptable technology for everyone. While discussions of inclusion often revolve around culture, hiring, or representation, for tech firms, it's crucial that inclusivity is embedded in the products and services customers rely on daily. This approach, known as "Smarter Technology for All," hinges on fostering a culture of belonging and ensuring decisions and customer service reflect this principle.

The Inclusive Product Design Office (IPDO) was created to weave inclusive design into the fabric of product development. By considering the unique needs and attributes of all consumers early on, the IPDO seeks to eliminate bias and enhance usability. People with disabilities represent a significant demographic—16% of the global population, according to the World Health Organisation—making accessibility a priority at the outset of product creation.

Treating accessibility as an integral part of mainstream design is essential because users with disabilities form a mainstream segment of the population, and everyone will encounter some form of disability at some point in life.

The IPDO's work involves rigorous testing of products and solutions to ensure they cater to all users, regardless of background or ability. This process may include evaluating system feedback, physical interactions, and software navigation using assistive technology. The goal is clear: technology should accommodate diverse ways of interacting with devices.

Valuable insights often emerge from direct engagement with users. For instance, collaborations with organizations like the Governor Morehead School for the Blind in North Carolina have provided direct feedback from blind and low-vision users, influencing product decisions in unexpected ways. Such insights have led to innovations like laptops with one-handed opening mechanisms, tactile keyboard markings for low-vision users, and accessible packaging that simplifies device use before activation.

Even seemingly ordinary features can pose challenges. For example, palm rejection on trackpads can inadvertently hinder users with limb differences. By making such settings adjustable, technology becomes more inclusive, empowering users to interact with devices in ways that suit their needs.

Embracing inclusive design forces companies to think more deeply and creatively about the problems they aim to solve, often resulting in technology that benefits a broader range of users. The expectation for users is simple: technology should work with them, not the other way around. When technology is intuitive and adaptable, people can concentrate on their tasks without the frustration of contorting to meet the technology's demands.

Accessibility should not be an afterthought but a foundational aspect of product design, as needs, environments, and working styles evolve. By designing around real human needs from the start, technology becomes more useful for everyone. Inclusive design is an ongoing journey with ever-evolving standards and user needs. The future of technology will be shaped not just by what AI solutions or devices can do, but by the people they enable. Ultimately, designing for humanity is what makes innovation truly meaningful.