Let's Have Some Design Equality Please!
“Design is an enormous privilege, but it is bigger responsibility”
~Sinèad Burke
People with disabilities have a constant need to adapt. Be it physically or cognitively, the need to reset one’s mindset is a necessity to function within a society that doesn’t always consider their needs. When we think in terms of accessibility, it is mostly in terms of how functional the object is, what it costs, and how soon we are able to obtain whatever it is we are looking for. However, we also must think of how it is designed, especially if we are individuals or caregivers within the special needs community. Unfortunately, in many instances, we have the distinct knowledge that all design- just like with clothing and the like- is not created equal.
While studying this week’s assignment, it occurred to me that there are so many tropes in the stories of those who are not considered normal by societal constructs. The hearing and visually impaired, those with intellectual disorders and also physical disorders, be it permanent or temporary, are some of the most common when we think of the special needs community. However there are other demographics within this broad spectrum we haven’t taken into account as much as we as a society should. The Little People community and those considered Geniuses are often the most vulnerable when it comes to having design elements function to meet their needs.
In listening to the TedTalk given by Sinéad Burke, I realized just how limited accessibility in not only information design, but design theories as a whole affect her activities of daily living. Things we take for granted, such as using a public restroom, is something she finds an incredible struggle in being able to do. Even the stalls for people with physical disabilities are not conducive to making her life easier- to celebrate her independence. Instead it hinders her in ways we don’t often think of or consider. It got me to thinking: What would it take for designers to think in terms of a whole, instead of just the primary goals of reaching the target audience within the constructed lines of supply and demand?
Personally, I think it would take research, innovation, determination, and execution with the very last thought on the list being about profit. After all, the quality of a person’s life cannot truly be measured in dollars and cents. There are other things to factor in such as understanding that if- as a designer of any kind- the goal is to help the population you intend to service improve their mindset and self-esteem, it begins with empathy and compassion, not ego and coins.
To end this post, I’m going to quote Ms. Burke in saying, “Design is a way to not only make a person feel included in the world, but it’s also a way to uphold a person’s dignity and rights.” I think if we all keep this idea in mind when we create anything, the impact we could all make would be immense and would make this field of unlimited potential, creativity and innovation truly equal at last.
Burke, S. (2017, July 21). Why design should include everyone [TED Talk]. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RD_SLJG7oi8
