A validation study on the challenges that architectural design practitioners face when designing inclusively.

Abstract

Inclusive Design has been widely promoted in the product, engineering and user experience design fields. Notwithstanding the educational effort developed by scholars, practitioners and institutions, Inclusive Design has not flourished in architectural design practice, often being associated with design for disability. This study, which spans the disciplines of behavioural science, ergonomics and the social sciences of architecture, validates early-stage results on the challenges that architectural design practitioners face when designing inclusively. A questionnaire was conducted with 114 architectural design practitioners with knowledge and experience of Inclusive Design. The results highlighted the influence practitioners have in advocating for Inclusive Design among different stakeholders, and the need for tools which support the design and post-design phases for buildings that guarantee inclusion, diversity, equity and accessibility.