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The Importance of Inclusive Design

eadlington

Updated: 2 days ago


Written by Sonia Parol, Design Director at Inspired Villages


Inclusive design is crucial not just for the retirement sector, but for everything we design and every service we provide, ensuring that spaces are accessible and welcoming to all people, regardless of their physical ability, age, gender or background. By incorporating inclusive design principles into both the built environment and the services we provide in our buildings, we not only improve the experience for people with disabilities, but also enhance the overall functionality, safety and aesthetics of spaces that can be used by everyone, promoting equality and accessibility for all.


The focus on inclusive design, and accessibility in particular, in architecture has evolved over the last century, from early, minimal efforts to a comprehensive, legally required and ethically embraced design philosophy. Today, accessibility is seen not only as a legal requirement, but as a core principle of inclusive design that benefits everyone. The continuing evolution of accessibility in architecture highlights its crucial role in creating environments that are functional, appropriate and welcoming to all people.


Inclusive design focuses not only on accessibility and mobility impairments, but also on sensory challenges such as hearing or sight loss, and cognitive challenges that come with age. Features such as ramps, wide doorways, tactile markings and clear signage make spaces usable for everyone and allow people to move freely and safely.


But accessibility is only part of inclusive design, which is really about designing products or services to be used by as many people as possible. Inclusive design helps eliminate discrimination, create equality by considering the diverse needs of people from the outset, it creates a sense of belonging for all.


Of course, our focus is on the retirement sector, but it is not news that as the world's population ages, the need for accessible spaces and inclusive design will increase. We need to Inclusive design anticipates future needs by incorporating features such as lower countertops, accessible toilets, better lighting, clear wayfinding, that benefit people as they age.


But this approach will not only help older people and our residents, it will also improve the overall user experience. By considering different physical, sensory and cognitive needs, spaces become more enjoyable, functional and intuitive for everyone. Whether it's a retirement village, someone's home, a public space, a shop or a park, when people feel that the space has been thoughtfully designed for them, it encourages positive interaction. And interaction, social inclusion and a sense of belonging are at the heart of what we do in the IRC (Integrated Retirement Communities) sector.


As designers, we are responsible for creating the right environment for our residents. But often designers are young people whose experience with ageing is limited. This is why it is so important that we work with the community to design more inclusive spaces - to create environments that truly meet everyone's needs. Inclusive design is about actively listening to and working with the people who will use the space: our residents, their families, our staff and others.


Inclusive design challenges architects and designers to think creatively and find innovative solutions to meet diverse needs.  Design, in all its forms, is about empathy. Without empathy, we only design products and services for ourselves. Not those who will live in our villages. Accessible and inclusive design means expanding that empathy. We need to think about how people with different experiences and abilities might live in or visit our villages, work or relax in the communities we create.


In summary, our responsibility as designers, developers and operators of the IRC (Integrated Retirement Communities) sector is to create spaces and provide services that are universally accessible, create environments that promote equality, foster social inclusion, and enhance the user experience. It reflects the values of social responsibility and contributes to the creation of a more inclusive society and the right environment for our ageing population.


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