4 Ways Design is Transforming the Experiences of People with Disability

Over the years, people with disability have been confronted with barriers, blocking them from full participation in the life of the community. Today, however, new trends that help to improve the independence and quality of life of people with disability are also making life better for everybody. From travel to fashion to building and home design, accessibility is today's buzzword for modern, open and creative design. These design developments are truly universal; accessibility features ensures suitability for people with disability, but often improve the experience for all customers. This is nothing new; an array of technological innovations, from email to the telephone to the typewriter, some of the most basic features of modern communications were originally created in order to enhance accessibility. Today, technologists, designers and architects are re-embracing the lessons of these veteran inventors. In all aspects of art and culture, accessibility is opening new and innovative frameworks for more beautiful and more open design for all.

Inclusive fashion design: the latest chic trend

In the fashion world, at first glance, people with disability may seem invisible or erased. However, with the democratization and opening of fashion design through internet sales and boutique audiences, an increasing number of designers with disability are creating fashion to respond to personal needs and the needs of family and friends. From the use of magnetic clasps instead of zippers and buttons to the creation of jeans sizes and styles that adapt to multiple body shapes, accessible fashion design is increasingly on-trend. Further, many of these clothing elements are indeed based on universal design principles; the full beauty and comfort of the garment is now inclusive to all customers. One example of the emergence of accessible fashion in mainstream brands is Tommy Hilfiger's accessible children's line. Hilfiger's line worked with specialized designers and a disability access consultant to produce trendy, fashionable children's clothing that is fully accessible for kids with and without disability.

Accessible technology leads the way in disability inclusion

One of the biggest inspirations for new accessible design in all aspects of our culture is the new horizon of technology. Apple's products have been widely praised for their adaptability to customers with all forms of disability. From text-to-speech features to voice commands to magnified images, computers, smartphones and tablets feature a wide array of accessibility tools built-in. This isn't just the case for i-Devices, of course! Microsoft begins two to three new inclusive design projects each month that are reframing how we read text or receive directions on the Web.

Universal architectural design creates homes for all

The universal design principles driving tech development and new fashion design are making some of their biggest advances in architectural and housing design. Based on the principle that accessible and inclusive design improves outcome and usability for all, this innovative architectural approach doesn't focus on adding ramps or rails, but instead creating flat structures, open doorways and wide passages and spacious kitchens and bathrooms. A disability access consultant can be invaluable in the creation of a kitchen or other specialized workspace to meet individual needs. Universal Design goes beyond ensuring compliance with the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA); instead, this form of architectural design reflects culture and environmental context, welcoming all into the space. An inclusive home or building welcomes a wide range of bodies and people in a comfortable structure that is easy to understand and use. In creating an open space for people with disability, inclusive design is creating more modern and beautiful homes for all.

Navigating travel and adventure with disability

Travel and navigation are more fields that are opening up through inclusive and universal development. Southeast Asia has become one center of new development in inclusive tourism and travel. The tuk-tuk, the popular vehicle for traveling around Phnom Penh and other Cambodian cities and towns, has been introduced in a wheelchair-friendly version, opening travel doors previously denied to wheelchair users. In Thailand, university students developed a new app that highlights the accessibility features of streets and open routes around Bangkok. The app is open to crowdsourcing and user-generated content, creating new maps of the city that highlight accessibility as a key feature. Smartphones are central to the growth in travel-oriented accessible design trends; from "audible signs" that broadcast their location to nearby phones to "beacons" that can transmit navigation signals to area phones, there are an increasing number of apps and technologies embracing the power of the smartphone to nurture accessibility.

In a business world that increasingly prioritizes social responsibility, design for all is a must. Not only do such approaches ensure access for people with disability, but also create innovative and welcoming spaces that create windows and doors rather than barriers. The new vision of disability rights is not simply compliance with laws that mandate accessibility, but a growing social desire for open-ended technology solutions that can revolutionize fashion, the home, and even holidays with a vision of innovation and inclusion.

I'm a passionate writer about all topics. From health to 'How To' - I love it all. On the weekends I love spending time with my bicycle, looking after my garden and relaxing.