WORKING TOGETHER

Professor Louise Valentine, Head of the Design School at Heriot-Watt University, on the importance of inclusive design in the workplace

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Inclusive design begins by recognising exclusion and understanding that specific environments, systems and values can unintentionally leave people out. Exclusion can limit access and opportunities for individuals with diverse needs, whether it’s a physical space, digital technologies such as augmented reality, learning spaces or workplace culture. By learning from diversity, we can gain valuable insights into people’s challenges and use these experiences and perspectives to create more inclusive solutions.

The workplace should be designed to include everyone without isolating or high- lighting employees based on their specific needs. It should be effective, efficient and aesthetically integrated. By addressing people’s individuality and differing abilities, it is simple to create environments and systems that are accessible, adaptable and beneficial for everyone. This ultimately leads to a more innovative and productive organisation. Inclusive design mindfully creates interventions in environments that enable people of all abilities to feel safe and supported. Ideally, it should be integral to the decision-making across the innovation process, from envisioning to conceiving and creating.