Teaching Diversity Through Inclusive Design Case Studies

1
Teaching Diversity Through Inclusive Design Case
Studies
Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, CPB/WGBH
National Center for Accessible Media, and
Education Development Center

• L. Goldberg, E. Jolly, J.P. Mellor, B. Moeller,
• M. Rothberg, R. Stamper, and M. Wollowski

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What is Inclusive Design?

• Inclusive design of technology means developing
  systems flexible enough to serve the broadest
  possible range of users. Inclusive design calls
  for adaptable interfaces to be built into the
  product early in the design phase, producing
  systems more easily used by everyone.

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An Example of Inclusive Design
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Why Use Inclusive Design?

• Its the right thing to do
• Legally mandated in some cases
• Increase market share and improve products
• Benefits for many users

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Principles of Inclusive Design

• Equitable Use does not disadvantage or
  stigmatize any group of users.
• Flexibility in Use accommodates a wide range of
  individual preferences and abilities.
• Simple, Intuitive Use easy to understand,
  regardless of the user's experience, knowledge,
  language skills, or current concentration level.
• Perceptible Information communicates necessary
  information effectively to the user, regardless
  of ambient conditions or the user's sensory
  abilities.

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Principles of Inclusive Design, cont.

• Tolerance for Error minimizes hazards and the
  adverse consequences of accidental or unintended
  actions.
• Low Physical Effort can be used efficiently and
  comfortably, and with a minimum of fatigue.
• Size and Space for Approach Use appropriate
  size and space is provided for approach, reach,
  manipulation, and use, regardless of the user's
  body size, posture, or mobility.

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Engineering Education for Inclusive Design

• Future engineers need to be more responsive to
  the needs of different countries, cultures, and
  people
• Students need to learn to design for users other
  than themselves
• Case studies are a good vehicle for expanding
  their horizons

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Case Studies on Inclusive Design

• Ideal for a student-centered, industry-oriented
  curriculum
• Expose students to the complexity of the
  real-world design process
• Illustrate the impact of incomplete or delayed
  information about product capabilities,
  performance requirements and/or desired feature
  sets
• Reflect the connection between technical
  innovation in the laboratory, its application
  within a product, and its impact on end users

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Talking ATM Case Study

• Real-world events
• A familiar product with clear links to daily life
• Technical constraints on possible solutions
  require creative thinking
• Results came from cooperation between banks,
  consumers, and technology companies
• Attention to both the specific topic (interface
  design) and the decision making process to ensure
  relevance across the engineering curriculum

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Inclusive Design inComputer Science

• Big aspect of early courses is the software
  design process,so add a component to the group
  project assignment where
• - Groups study the ATM case - Different groups
  will assume roles of Software
  designer Legislator Interest
  Group Manager - Groups study issues from their
  perspective - Based on group input, a single
  project design is developed - Groups decide
  which aspects of the design to implement

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Inclusive Design inMechanical Engineering

• In the Talking ATM case, the interface itself is
  less relevant to ME, but the decision making
  process is an important focus. This course will
  use the same case but focus on how the
  engineering decisions are made, who has
  responsibility for decisions, what constraints
  limit choices, and how the best solution is
  decided on.