Author: Jane Bringolf

Active transport in a rural community

Most research on all types of transportation focuses on urban areas. Rural communities often receive less attention but their needs are the same. However, urban solutions are not always the answer. For people with disability, especially those who don’t drive, the issues are magnified. A study in Nova Scotia used the Photovoice method to look at active transport in a rural community.

Photovoice is a method of gathering data using pictures and words. It facilitates reflection and community-based discussion. It enables people with disability to explain their diverse needs to policy makers. Image of Queen Street, Bridgetown, courtesy PNI Atlantic News

Queen Street, Bridgetown Nova Scotia showing a new pedestrian crossing and good footpaths on both sides of the road for active transport.

Twelve people with different disabilities were recruited in a rural community in Nova Scotia. A camera was given to each participant to photograph whatever they chose. Participants also provided statements to go with each photograph as a way to share their experiences and perspectives.

The article explains the method of recruitment and the way participants were supported through the process. The authors include some of the informative photos with captions provided by participants. They are grouped by theme: Accessibility of the built environment, Feelings of safety, Wayfinding, Community spaces, and Beautification. Of course these themes are not mutually exclusive.

Footpaths are an issue for all

As with many previous studies, uneven and cracked footpaths rated highly as a barrier to accessibility for people with physical and intellectual disabilities. Poorly maintained footpaths also compromised feelings of safety. Sandwich boards on footpaths were unpopular too. Also, one bad experience impacts one’s feelings and can restrict future activities.

The title of the article is A guided photovoice approach to explore experts with disabilities’ lived experiences of accessibility and usability while engaging in active transportation in a rural Canadian community.

From the abstract

Individuals with disabilities residing in rural regions face greater barriers to accessibility causing reduced access to essential services, transportation, and spaces. This study employed a qualitative, guided photovoice approach with 12 people to understand the perceived barriers and facilitators to active transport.

Five themes emerged through 144 photographs and related comments. They were: 1. Accessibility and Usability of the Built Environment 2. Feelings of Safety, 3. Wayfinding, 4. Inclusive Community Spaces, and 5. Beautification. The findings reinforced the need to include the voice of people with disability in designs.

The power of co-design

The example of Frank Lloyd Wright designing a home with and for a wheelchair user is sometimes used as an example of accessible design. But Nicole Karidis writes about the Laurent House built in 1952 as an example of the power of co-design. She describes how Wright worked with Kenneth Laurent on every feature of the home. But can this process be applied to buildings that have many users?

“Every morning for 60 years, I would come out of my bedroom and pause in the doorway, … I’d take in the beauty that Wright designed, seeing both the indoors and outdoors … That scene allowed me to forget about my disabilities and focus on my capabilities.” Kenneth Laurent

A view showing the large windows overlooking the garden

The more important question is “what will happen if we don’t use co-design processes?” Karidis uses an example where building users were left out of the design process. The Hunters Point Library, Queens, New York is an infamous case that continues to cost millions of dollars to rectify.

As Karidis says, co-design ensures diverse perspectives are considered, particularly those with lived experiences. This leads to more inclusive, user-centred designs that better meet the actual needs and preferences of all users. It also reduces the risk of costly redesigns.

The real power of co-design is in continuity

However, co-design processes are sometimes recognised during the design phase, only to be erased or diminished in later stages. Or users are consulted when the final product or structure is released. Feedback is not consistently incorporated into the final design decisions, leading to a building or product that does not work for everyone.

The title of the article is, Building Together: The Hidden Power of Co-Design. Frank Lloyd Wright’s work was also discussed in a conference paper in terms of measuring quality rather than quantity.

Architecture, aesthetics and universal design

A view of the open plan kitchen. The home has a lot of timber in the construction and the furniture. It is architecture, aesthetics and universal design.
Frank Lloyd Wright considered aesthetics in architecture

The principles and goals of universal design have no criteria for aesthetics. It’s focus is on functional requirements rather than sensory experiences. It doesn’t help when architects and planners continue to associate universal design with regulations and standards and leave aesthetics out. But the key to designing environments for everyone is to draw together architecture, aesthetics and universal design.

Carolyn Ahmer’s paper discusses universal design in the context of renowned architects. She explains how their designs include inclusive elements together with aesthetics. For example, Frank Lloyd Wright’s work which includes the famous Guggenheim Museum. The article covers visual and non-visual information and movement through space.

The aim of the paper is to highlight the qualities of design essential to creating buildings that stimulate our senses. One source of inspiration is in our architectural history. 

She concludes that inclusive architecture should be based on qualitative and quantitative measures. Quantitative assessments are based on controllable data and standardised specifications. Qualitative assessments focus on sensory experiences of an architectural project. These are features that cannot be measured but should not be discounted. 

The title of the article is, The Qualities of Architecture in Relation to Universal Design.  The paper was presented at the UD2021 conference in Finland. It’s published in Universal Design 2021: From Special to Mainstream Solutions. 

Inclusive streetscapes

There is a statistical link between disability and loneliness according to the UK Office for National Statistics. The more pronounced the disability, the greater the likelihood of loneliness. So what do streetscapes have to do with this? Every journey, for any reason begins with leaving the house and directly interacting with the street. A study of lived experience found that people with disability:

> felt invisible and unheard because of inaccessible streetscapes

> found inconsistent electric vehicle noise complicates navigation, and

> engagement is vital in addressing accessibility and enhancing communication.

Two young women stand at a pedestrian crossing. One is holding the arm of the other. There is a car in the background on the crossing. Are they feeling safe walking and wheeling?

The study documents how researchers gathered information from participants with disability and lists the questions asked.

“Planners responsible for streetscapes, as well as the public, need stronger education on disabled people’s needs and barriers.”

A white SUV is parked across the footpath nosing into a driveway

Inclusive streetscapes – the challenges

The study revealed challenges with societal design, pavements, societal behaviour, street furniture, wayfinding, and roadworks. Each of these themes are explained in more detail. For societal design, poor consideration of needs and design inconsistency topped the list.

In terms of footpaths, the surfaces, insufficient kerb ramps and footpath camber rated highest. Parking on the footpath was the greatest behaviour gripe followed by aggressive behaviour by others.

Rubbish bins and outdoor dining and chairs were the worst street furniture offenders, and accessible routes are often longer than they need to be. Difficulty navigating temporary paths during roadworks is a key element for improvement.

Providing accessible parking spaces without providing a kerb ramp is considered poor and thoughtless design. Street repairs can make the situation worse.

It’s about the footpath

Participants regularly mentioned poor pavement surfaces, lack of maintenance, the angle of the camber. Shared spaces are particularly challenging. They make it difficult for them to recognise priorities on the road. This is a source of anxiety which is at odds with claims that shared spaces are safer.

There is much more to unpack in this paper about all the other elements including street furniture and wayfinding and navigation. Another key element is the extra energy required when already working from a low energy base because of their disability.

The title of the paper is, Inclusive Streetscapes: Embedding disabled people’s lived experience into street accessibility.

From the abstract

Urban streetscape design has to do more to enable the independent movement of disabled people. Few studies have attempted to capture the lived experience of a disabled person using the streetscape. 

We interviewed 26 people with lived experience of a disability (from around the UK) to define the streetscape barriers faced. The systemic reasons as to why these issues exist are identified and we propose a new path forward.

We provide recommendations for streetscape design with direct relevance for local authorities, policy makers and designers for more accessible streetscapes. Embedding people with disability into the decision making is essential. Future work must assess the barriers in collaboration with disabled people, to prioritise actions and aim for an equitable streetscape for all.

Neuroergonomics, architecture and the workplace

Sensory processing directly influences the productivity, social interaction and wellbeing of neurodivergent workers. Some neurodivergent individuals experience sensory overload to sound and light for example. On the other hand others need heightened sensations such as constant movement or touching. When it comes to workplaces, architectural design should incorporate neuroergonomics.

Consider a diversity of options that allow users to find spaces appropriate to their needs for the task. Zones with different levels of stimulation promote an inclusive culture and environment.

A modern office with lots of space and workstations by windows.

A study by two researchers in Brazil looked at the literature on neurodivergence and how the brain works, and applied this to workplace design. The different neurodiverse conditions are listed in a chart with suggested solutions and adaptations. Inclusive and biophilic design is good for the productivity levels of all workers. Consequently, designing for the neurodivergent community increases the level of comfort for everyone. The image below is from the article.

Graphic from the article on neuroergonomics by the authors. One the left hand side is a design for hyposensitive people, and the other is for hypersensitive.

Spatial references

Intuitive and directional wayfinding gives neurodivergent people the instant cues they need to find their way even in familiar environments. It creates a comforting sense of order and reduces confusion. Having many identical spaces can also cause confusion if the wayfinding isn’t clear. Landmarks, use of colour and of course signage are key.

Work environments that promote flexible and adaptable layouts not only meet productive demands, but also favour greater interaction. There is increased comfort, and inclusion of employees and reduces the stress generated by a rigid organization.

Biophilic design

Natural elements that represent the qualities of nature are good for everyone. Biophilic design involves building nature-like environments that provide refuge and relaxation. This allows individuals to establish their sensory and social control over their surroundings. A common approach is to provide green areas with access from common areas. Sensory gardens can also provide a calming effect.

Thermal comfort

The temperature of many working environments is cause for conflict because not everyone experiences heat and cold in the same way. Thermal design strategies including the ability to open windows and naturally ventilated atriums and outdoor courtyards. Ability to control the temperature at individual worksites is the optimum of course but not always possible.

Noise and lighting

Noise and interruptions can compromise employees’ focus and productivity. On the other hand total quiet can be just as bad because any small noise is deafening to some. That is one reason for employees to don headphones. One solution is to create natural calming sounds.

Appropriate lighting for each workspace is essential and natural light is best and most productive. Where this is not possible, adjusting the colour temperature of the light across the day is shown to be effective. Florescent lights that buzz and flicker are particularly distracting for neurodivergent individuals.

The title of the article is, Neuroergonomics, inclusive architecture, and mental health: Designing neurodiversity-responsive work environments.

From the abstract

Approximately 17% of the world’s population is considered neurodivergent. This means they have patterns of cognitive, emotional and social development that diverge significantly from what is generally expected. Consequently, workspace design must consider new demands that meet the needs of this group, as well as all employees.

More than 20 million Brazilians have been diagnosed with burnout, anxiety and depressive disorders. This study investigated the contributions of neuroergonomics to mental health and the inclusion of neurodiversity in the workplace. Evidence-based design ideas linked to inclusive architecture were considered

We considered spatial references (wayfinding), spatial organization (layout), biophilic design, thermal comfort, acoustics, integrative lighting and degree of sensory stimulation. This study contributes to the planning of healthy, comfortable, safe and inclusive environments.

Empathy driven design

Empathy driven design is a catalyst for social change. It challenges architects to consider the broader impact of their designs on social equity to make spaces more inclusive. By integrating empathy into the design process, architects can create more equitable, caring environments that serve the common good. Despite the challenges, empathy driven design is a paradigm shift in architecture, moving away from top-down, one-size-fits-all solutions.

Empathy driven design is based on collaboration. That is, engaging with communities to understand their unique experiences and challenges. The architect becomes a listener and participant in the co-design process. Image courtesy of MASS Design Group from ArchDaily.

A man in a blue shirt is pushing a wheelbarrow downhill beside the construction of a high stone wall of a hospital

An article in ArchDaily explains more about designing with empathy and for social equity. Examples of empathy driven design include, among others, a hospital in Rwanda and a housing project in Chile. Projects in developed countries require the same thought as these examples and show what’s possible.

Challenges and opportunities

One of the most significant hurdles is balancing empathy with practical constraints such as budget, time, and regulatory limitations. Many projects that aim to serve disadvantaged communities are often restricted by tight budgets.

The key issue is the cost of time and project deadlines. Navigating this tension requires creative solutions that make the most of available resources without compromising the project’s empathetic core.

Design alone cannot overcome deeply entrenched societal inequalities. The success of designs depend on both the built environment and broader support systems, such as social services or public policy changes.

The title of the article is, Designing with Empathy: Architecture for Social Equity.

Empathy: the key to inclusive design

Loughborough University has a good track record for inclusive design research. Low vision and manual dexterity are the most common losses for people as they age. Consequently, the study focused on these factors to improve architects’ empathy and understanding of users.

The method involved using glasses and gloves that simulate loss of vision and loss of hand dexterity. Participants wore the glasses and gloves and then given reading, writing and dexterity tasks.

The results show that the tasks challenged their traditional view of disability. Participants began to see it more as a continuum and effecting a wider population.

Key themes

  • Inadequacy of the current building standard.
  • There is no incentive for developers to go beyond minimum compliance.
  • Developers often commission design briefs so the end user is often unknown.
  • In the absence of knowing their end user, they tend to design for themselves.
  • They feel there is a stigma associated with accessible designs and this reinforces the disability-centric concept of able bodied versus disability designs.
  • It challenged their traditional view between ‘able-bodied’ and ‘disabled-users’.
  • A lack of inclusive design training within their undergraduate and post graduate training.
  • Participants felt strongly that commercial, accessible design decisions, mainly addressed physical impairments.
  • All participants reported an increased awareness of the psychological effects of the simulated capability loss, reporting frustration and fatigue.

The title of the article is, How ‘Empathetic modelling’ positively influences Architects’ empathy, informing their Inclusive Design-Thinking.  Arthritis affects one in seven Australians. Opening packages, lifting the kettle and turning door knobs can be difficult and painful. 

The video below shows the gloves and glasses in action.

Designing for empathy

A distant view of a circular seating arrangement in a huge room for the parliamentary members. Designing for empathy in Finland.

Human centred design and inclusive design processes focus taking an empathetic approach to the users. But what if you turn that around and think about designing for empathy itself? To shift from being the empathiser to become an empathy generator? That was the question a team of designers in Finland wanted to know the answer to. Using socio-cultural design tools rather than physical empathy design tools, they created a co-creative process with the Finnish parliament. 

The title of the paper is, Design for Empathy: A co-design case study with the Finnish Parliament. 

From the abstract:

Globalisation and the mixing of people, cultures, religions and languages fuels pressing healthcare, educational, political and other socio-cultural issues. Many issues are driven by society’s struggle to find ways to facilitate more meaningful ways to help overcome the empathy gap which keeps various groups of people apart.

This paper presents a process to design for empathy – as an outcome of design. This extends prior work which typically looks at empathy for design – as a part of the design process, as is common in inclusive design and human centered design process.

We challenge the role of the designer to be more externalised, to shift from an empathiser to become an empathy generator. We develop and demonstrate the process to design for empathy through a co-creation case study aiming to bring empathy into politics.

The Parliament of Finland is the setting for the project. It involves co-creation with six Members of the Parliament from five political parties. We discuss the outcomes of the process including design considerations for future research.

Research ethics and inclusion

The rules of research ethics are to make sure people who are the subject of the research are protected from harm during the research process. This can mean leaving them out of the research project because the ethics approval process is so onerous. So who decides which groups are ‘vulnerable’ group and those that are not?

Vulnerable groups involve people considered susceptible to coercion or undue influence in a research setting. They may be people who are incapable of understanding what it means to participate in research. Or they might not understand what constitutes informed consent.

A graphic of a group of people including a wheelchair user.

Individuals considered vulnerable might have a diminished capacity to anticipate, cope with, resist, and/or recover from the impact of a natural or constructed hazard. Vulnerable groups may also consist of individuals who are unable to care for themselves and/or may have an increased chance of suicide, self-harm, or the likelihood of harming others.

A Sage special issue on research methods looks at the various issues relating to researching vulnerable groups. The open access issue is titled, Ethics and Consent in Research with Vulnerable Participants. There is good advice here.

In some cases, involving the people from the nominated vulnerable group to be part of the research team and the processes is another way to conduct the research. See the section on Co-design Processes for more.

Informed consent

How do you know when the participant really understands consent to participate? An article titled, Obtaining Informed Consent of Vulnerable Populations for Participating in Social and Education Sciences Research, looks at the issues.

From the abstract: Obtaining informed consent is the foundation of ethics in clinical research involving human participants. The “Common Rule” identifies “vulnerable subjects” as “children, prisoners, individuals with impaired decision-making capacity, or economically or educational disadvantaged persons.”

This article explores a pragmatic approach for Institutional Review Boards to review research protocols involving individuals with disabilities and/or those who are educationally-disadvantaged as study participants. As a direct result, we formed a process for obtaining informed consent of vulnerable participants in social and education sciences research.

Navigating ethical challenges

Mary Quirk brings an “Inclusion as Process” approach to ethical issues in her doctoral study involving people with disability. Her article is based on a case study where she relates her experience in the first person.

In her doctoral research, Quirk adopted Universal Design and Universal Design for Learning approaches as a way to engage in inclusive research. The aim was to facilitate the voices of people with disabilities in education during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Graphic of seven human figures wearing casual clothing standing up from their chairs and looking upwards to the camera. Building inclusive research capacity.

The title of the paper is, How to Adopt an “Inclusion as Process” Approach and Navigate Ethical Challenges in Research. Also available through Sage Publications. Mary Quirk is based at Trinity College Dublin, Ireland.

From the abstract

The case study explains “Inclusion as Process” as an approach to research. It discusses ethical implications of relevance to educational and other researchers. In particular, it examines the application of Universal Design (UD) and Universal Design for Learning (UDL) thinking in research and how these approaches relate to these individual yet interdependent themes. Finally, the case study outlines an “Inclusion as Process” framework to guide inclusive research.

Inclusive public toilets: a book

Public toilets play an important role in our lives outside of home. However, they are often neglected as an aspect of a inclusive society. A new book based on 20 years of research looks at the issues. More than 500 people contributed their perspectives to this critical overview. It presents an urgent need to re-evaluate the accessibility of, and culture around, these essential spaces.

The authors explore the complexities around using public toilets. They draw from a rich body of research into public toilet design, public services, accessibility and social injustice. They examine a diverse array of design considerations related to age, disability, neurodiversity and gender.

Front cover of the book, Designing Inclusive Public Toilets: Wee the people. Blue background with white and yellow text.

The authors look at the development of toilet design in the UK, discussing examples of successful and failed designs. They present an innovative approach for the future that reframes a space associated with unpleasantness and inaccessibility as one that is essential and respected.

This rigorous study considers the body’s needs and decision making on leaving home. That includes issues of navigating, locating and entering facilities, and issues related to cubicles, fixtures, products and hygiene. The authors present an inclusive design approach that can help designers, planners and managers create these spaces more effectively and understand what every prospective user might need, with a sense of safety, comfort and dignity.

The title of the book is, Designing Inclusive Public Toilets: Wee the People. Both authors are from the Helen Hamlyn Centre for Design at the Royal Collage of Art, UK.

Public toilets by universal design

A row of handbasins in a public toilet.

We all have to go sometime. Accessible public toilets have their own Australian Standard. It spells out how to design it and what fittings go where. But an accessible toilet doesn’t solve all our toileting issues. It’s time take a universal design approach and re-think the business of public toilets.

Thinking more broadly than people with limited mobility is important if we are to be inclusive. Katherine Webber’s Conference paper explains where the design of public toilets are letting some people down. She discusses the taboos, policy and legal barriers in several countries. Katherine lists the many issues people found with public toilets and they go beyond those of wheelchair accessible toilets. She proposes that a universal design approach be taken to the design and placement of public toilets. 

Katherine recently visited Canberra to talk to policy makers how our public toilets should better. ABC News has written a short piece on her visit and some of the findings from her Churchill Fellowship research. 

The title of Katherine’s paper is, Everyone, everywhere, everyday: A case for expanding universal design to public toilets. She will also lead a discussion group at the lunchtime Table Topics session at the conference.

Perceptions of safety in public space

Perceptions of safety in public space impact on the way women and girls carry out everyday activities. If women (or men) feel unsafe or stressed in public space, it can outweigh the benefit of being there. Plus it impacts on activities such as employment, education and access to health services.

One of the targets for the gender equality goal (SDG #5) is “the elimination of all forms of violence against all women and girls in public and private spheres”.

SDG Goal 5 Gender equality. A square with a red background with white graphics depicting gender equality which is required for safety in public space.

The issue of gendered violence is rarely out of the news. The UN’s Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) number 5 is about gender equity. This is not just a human right, but a foundation of a peaceful world. In 2025, globally, we are clearly a long way from this.

Researchers at Monash University used a crowd mapping system to understand women’s equity and access to public space. Two case studies were carried out – one in Victoria and the other in New South Wales. The name of the project was YourGround.

The Victorian project surveyed women undertaking exercise and recreation activities. The New South Wales study included engagement by women and gender diverse people. This one looked at any type of activity in public spaces – streets, parks and transport hubs.

Voices of marginalised people

Digital technology and smart phones enable researchers to collect information about the real lives of individuals. It is a good way to overcome the standard data-gathering techniques that have left marginalised voices unheard.

YourGround was web‐based, accessible by digital/smart devices, and designed to reduce the barriers to engagement by using interactivity and visuals. Easy access to the survey and anonymity was critical for harvesting the stories and concerns of as wide a range of women as possible.

Monash University logo for the YourGround project on perceptions of safety in public space. A young woman is cast over a multicoloured background.

While this method relies on access to smart phones, the usage in Australia is extensive, although noted there are some internet gaps in rural and regional areas.

Women scan and read the environment

Women learn to ‘read’ public spaces for clues relating to the risk of being there. They read both physical and social aspect for these clues. Women look for lighting, space conditions, amenities and facilities. They check out what others are doing in the space and how many there are. This scanning is often in the context of the personal history of each woman.

Women are sensitive to the ‘vibe’ of a location and concerned with visibility. Along with gender-diverse people, women experience feeling of being unsafe and excluded in public space. They need a strong sense of belonging to exercise their right to be free of the threat of violence from men.

Women limit their engagement with public space

Public spaces that encourage longer stays and diverse activities received positive reviews from participants. In contrast, unsafe places were predominantly used for a single activity, suggesting that these locations were far less welcoming.

If a place felt unsafe, participants were reluctant to do anything there but pass through. Some noted that they did so as fast as possible if they were unable to avoid the location. Participants also avoided some places if they could, or only go with someone else. Tunnels and underpasses felt particularly unsafe along with poorly maintained pathways.

The title of the article is, Participatory Interventions: Digital Crowd Mapping Perceptions of Safety in Public Space. It is in a special edition of Urban Planning, 2025 Volume 10 titled, The Role of Participatory Planning and Design in Addressing the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

From the abstract

Current estimates indicate the world will not achieve the United Nations SDG goal of gender equality by 2030. It’s more likely to take another 70 years. The number of global crises bring a sharp focus to gender disparities. The issues of unequal access and opportunity are more stark. Prioritisation of gender equality is imperative to the sustainable development of cities, regions, and rural communities.

This article presents a case study of the YourGround project using an interactive, geolocative digital crowd‐mapping platform. This is a participatory method for gathering insights into perceptions of safety among women and gender‐diverse people in public spaces in Victoria and New South Wales, Australia.

The YourGround method of data collection and feminist co‐design democratises the research process. It amplifies marginalised voices, and avoids the hazards of the technology controlling the methods.

The findings underscore the nuanced and context‐specific nature of gender inequality in public spaces. They highlight the pervasive impact of social and environmental factors on safety perceptions and access in both urban contexts and rural areas.

The YourGround project provides city planners, urban designers, and community members, with a gender‐sensitive lens developed by the expertise of people from the community.

Accessible graphic design

Pictures, photos, infographics, icons – they all convey messages. It is often said that images say more than words. A bar graph gives a visual representation of statistics making it easier to understand. A photo of a landscape in a tourist brochure piques interest in a place. Readily recognised icons send instant messages, such as this is a train station or this is a toilet. But it needs to be accessible graphic design.

Graphic design is an essential element of all communication.

The text box reads Graphic design can be described as the language of vision but is this exclusionary in nature?

The way text is presented also sends messages. For example, a tiny faint font sends the message to people with low vision that they are not included. A busy page with tightly compressed text is readable but uncomfortable.

Images and text are essential elements in visual communication. The importance of accessible and inclusive communication is the subject of a masters thesis by Christine Woolley from Canada. The title is, Equitable access to public information and the role of the graphic designer.

When graphic designers consider accessibility and inclusivity in their work, the result is a better experience for all…

The text reads, appropriate measures must be taken to ensure people with disabilities can access information on an equal basis with others.

Woolley’s research explores how graphic designers learn about, interpret and implement accessibility standards into practice. She used participatory research methods, often referred to as co-design. The outcome is a framework and a set of recommendations for supporting the graphic design industry in Canada.

The thesis discusses many aspects of accessible and inclusive design, and it’s role in equitable access to public information. Woolley has three main pillars of discussion.

  • Understanding the importance of access – the moral angle
  • Understanding industry standards and guidelines – the responsibility angle
  • Understanding accessibility legislation – the legal angle

The framework and recommendations were designed through a collaborative process with participants and represent a collective need for industry support.

Handbook for accessible graphic design

Download this free practical handbook for accessible graphic design from Canada. The text covers typography, digital media, web accessibility, Office documents, accessible PDFs, print design, environmental graphic design, colour selection and more. It’s relatively easy to read and has a logical structure. At the end is a list of publications, links to websites and tools to help.

Inclusive sport for fans and players

Football is one of the most watched and played sports globally. Teams attract thousands of fans and clubs invest heavily in elite players. But what of the fans? What kind of deal do they get if they find themselves excluded from matches? A research paper based on eleven European clubs looks at the issue of inclusive sport for fans.

“Football is more than just a sport, as it is often described as a place where social bonds are established, and fans of different backgrounds, ages, and abilities come together. However, fans with disabilities face many challenges in accessing these events and participating in fan life.”

An empty sports stadium with rows of blue seats set around a green playing field.

The researchers acknowledge that larger clubs have more resources to implement disability strategies. In general, they found clubs fell into three categories. 1. Elite performers who integrate fans with disabilities into their systems. 2. Solid performers with established frameworks but have gaps in services. 3. Developing clubs with emerging structures needing further work to support accessibility.

The title of the paper is Communication with Disabled Fans at Sports Events: Approaches, Challenges, and Opportunities. Although this paper is based on football clubs, there is application for other sporting codes.

From the abstract

This study investigates how effectively European football clubs communicate and implement accessibility features for disabled fans. Using semi-structured interviews with representatives from eleven European football clubs and a systematic analysis of club documentation.

We present a validated Fan Communication Model incorporating key weighted criteria, including infrastructure, dedicated personnel, engagement, specific adaptations, ticketing, challenge management, and feedback systems. This model provides a standardized framework for evaluating disability support communication in football organizations.

Facilities for whole communities

Artist impression of new home for Matildas and also the whole community..
Photo courtesy Football Victoria

Larger sports facilities are being designed for whole communities, not just sports teams. It has to be a social, economic and environmental investment. Belinda Goh from Populous provides some insights into the design processes behind two case studies. They cover cultural diversity, connection to country and including women in the design of sports facilities. 

The focus of Belinda Goh’s presentation for the NSW Office of Sport webinar was two case studies. The designs were underpinned with a universal design approach using extensive community engagement strategies. Co-creation and co-design were essential to the success of the designs. 

Goh explained that sports facilities should integrate community and grassroots activities with these projects. She uses examples of major professional sports teams bringing women into elite sports. So she is talking beyond standard design thinking to deliberately designing women into these facilities. But this made for more inclusive facilities overall. 

Goh discusses how beginning with a focus on including women has matured into an approach for all Populous’ designs. It is about being more inclusive, equitable and universal in their approach. She says it also about going beyond access codes to making people feel like they belong. 

Considering culture

In a second case study she discusses the new multi-use sports facility on the mid north coast of NSW. This project posed some additional challenges. It involved delving into the “why” of the project and significant community engagement. The area has a high Indigenous population as well as the largest Sikh population outside India. 

Apart from consulting with sports organisations, they talked with people from arts, youth, and the nearby high school among others. In considering the culture of the spaces they also included the concepts of universal design and access to all spaces. 

Belinda Goh’s presentation is engaging and worth a look in the video below. 

There is more on the ABC news website about the Matilda’s new home. Well, not so much a new home but a first home. The facility will also house a sports science centre, a gym and recovery rooms. 

Gym equipment designed for disability

A team of industrial designers have used a universal design approach to creating gym equipment. Their paper explains their process, but more importantly, there are images of various designs for aerobic equipment. A great addition to any gym but essential for disability sports organisations. 

The title of the paper is, Development of Aerobic Exercise Equipment Using Universal Design: Treadmill and Arm Ergometer. 

Explaining inclusive sport with videos

The Inclusive Sport Design website has some good resources, namely videos, blog posts and other useful material. The resource list has four short videos explaining inclusive sport.

Two young men each with one leg and using crutches, compete for the football on the football field. Inclusive sport.

Inclusive sport program planning and framework briefly explains the key elements to planning an effective and sustainable inclusive sport program.