Designing workplaces for “the average person” used to be philosophy aimed at satisfying most of the people, most of the time. But that also excluded a lot of people who didn’t fit the average. People at work expect — and deserve — diverse options that allow them to have the same opportunities as everyone else. The emerging field of inclusive design offers strategies for everyone at work to achieve their potential.
There’s a lot of progress when it comes to opportunities for blind people. However, negative employer attitudes continue to hold them back.
Diversity and inclusion: they’re topics many companies talk about, especially around the time of Pride — but how can we follow through with initiatives that make a difference?
AI is powering greater inclusion in the workplace which, in turn, is powering new levels of innovation.
AsIAm.ie founder Adam Harris is on a mission to make Ireland the most autism-friendly country in the world. But how do we get there?
Work is stressful. If you’re hiding a disability, the daily grind of early mornings, deadlines, and office politics is compounded into a far heavier burden.
With many buildings presenting accessibility barriers for people with disability, one company is prioritizing inclusive and accessible work spaces by relocating to a new office.
How design thinking can help tackle gender bias in the workplace.
The U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy has announced a fund of $950,000 for grants that will be used to open and operate the Accessible Technology Action Center (ATAC), a new national resource that will facilitate and promote the use of accessible technology in the hiring, employment, retention and career advancement of individuals with disabilities. The ATAC will expand access to information and communication technologies in the workplace for people with disabilities. The center will promote the knowledge, technical skills, tools and leadership strategies needed to address accessibility issues, and will seek to raise awareness of the impact critical accessible workplace technologies have on competitive employment opportunities. The initial grant award will be for 12 months with the possibility of up to four optional years of funding, depending on the availability of funds and satisfactory performance. Grant applications will be accepted until Aug. 31, 2012.
Universal Design (UD) is an approach to design that increases the potential for developing a better quality of life for a wide range of individuals. It is a design process that enables and empowers a diverse population by improving human performance, health and wellness, and social participation (Steinfeld and Maisel, 2012). It creates products, systems, and environments to be as usable as possible by as many people as possible regardless of age, ability or situation.