10 Rules for Designing for Inclusivity and Equality

Designing for inclusivity and equality is a core principle of many designers. You want to create something that puts people first and is meant to be for everyone.

With that guidance in mind, Inclusive design principles is a codified set of seven rules for inclusive design. Here, we’re going to look at those principles, plus three more, to help you design for inclusivity and equality.

Why is inclusive design important?

Inclusive design ensures that products and services are accessible and usable by people with diverse abilities, backgrounds and preferences. It promotes diversity and equality by removing barriers and ensuring that everyone can participate and contribute.

Inclusive design is often accessible, although these terms mean two different things. It is usable by as many people as possible and includes tools that make the design easier to understand and manage for more people.

What is interesting is that inclusive design can actually encourage innovation by requiring designers to consider a wider range of users and their needs. This can lead to new ideas and solutions that might not have been considered otherwise.

At the same time, it can reduce costs by avoiding the need for redesigns later. By considering accessibility and usability from the start, designers can avoid costly mistakes and ensure that products and services are usable from the start.

Finally, inclusive design can help you meet and comply with legal requirements. We won’t go into details here,...