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From inclusive to nonclusive design : a shift in categorisation

Hedvall, Per-Olof LU orcid and Ericsson, Stina (2024) In Design for All, India 19(6 (June)). p.10-29
Abstract
The background to this article is an interest in what categorisations such as ‘persons with or without disability’ create in terms of inequality and stigma, and how categorisations can support the implementation of Universal Design (UD). The article aims to show how a shift in categorisation can lead to a shift in the conceptualisation of UD, from “inclusive” to “nonclusive” design, i.e., to design processes that refrain from categorising people, bodies and roles. Our analysis is based on a range of photographs, images, and extracts from policy documents related to inclusion and exclusion collected in five recent research projects. Current ways to categorise will reiterate and perpetuate the current power structures, if not changed. In the... (More)
The background to this article is an interest in what categorisations such as ‘persons with or without disability’ create in terms of inequality and stigma, and how categorisations can support the implementation of Universal Design (UD). The article aims to show how a shift in categorisation can lead to a shift in the conceptualisation of UD, from “inclusive” to “nonclusive” design, i.e., to design processes that refrain from categorising people, bodies and roles. Our analysis is based on a range of photographs, images, and extracts from policy documents related to inclusion and exclusion collected in five recent research projects. Current ways to categorise will reiterate and perpetuate the current power structures, if not changed. In the article, we show what a shift from inclusive design to nonclusive design might look like in four types of artefacts: graphic design, physical products and environments, texts, and information and communication technology (ICT). Such a shift in categorisation will make it possible to meet variation with variation, and to ensure that the next product, program, or environment does not divide people into predefined boxes based on, e.g., their bodily configurations. However, working with nonclusive design will demand having just as rich an image of human variation and how to support it as ever before. In conclusion, we argue that Nonclusive Design is Universal Design, completing the progress from barrier-free to inclusive to nonclusive design(ing). (Less)
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author
and
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
keywords
Universal design, Design for all, Visualization, City planning, Categorisation, Inclusive Design, Accessibility, Usability
in
Design for All, India
volume
19
issue
6 (June)
article number
1
pages
20 pages
ISSN
2582-8304
project
The Syntax of Equality, A Tool for Expressing and Implementing Equality and Inclusion
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
46facf76-8151-4f1a-99f1-48e76761f3fe
alternative location
http://designforall.in/?mdocs-file=2470
date added to LUP
2024-12-29 23:04:54
date last changed
2025-04-04 14:24:48
@article{46facf76-8151-4f1a-99f1-48e76761f3fe,
  abstract     = {{The background to this article is an interest in what categorisations such as ‘persons with or without disability’ create in terms of inequality and stigma, and how categorisations can support the implementation of Universal Design (UD). The article aims to show how a shift in categorisation can lead to a shift in the conceptualisation of UD, from “inclusive” to “nonclusive” design, i.e., to design processes that refrain from categorising people, bodies and roles. Our analysis is based on a range of photographs, images, and extracts from policy documents related to inclusion and exclusion collected in five recent research projects. Current ways to categorise will reiterate and perpetuate the current power structures, if not changed. In the article, we show what a shift from inclusive design to nonclusive design might look like in four types of artefacts: graphic design, physical products and environments, texts, and information and communication technology (ICT). Such a shift in categorisation will make it possible to meet variation with variation, and to ensure that the next product, program, or environment does not divide people into predefined boxes based on, e.g., their bodily configurations. However, working with nonclusive design will demand having just as rich an image of human variation and how to support it as ever before. In conclusion, we argue that Nonclusive Design is Universal Design, completing the progress from barrier-free to inclusive to nonclusive design(ing).}},
  author       = {{Hedvall, Per-Olof and Ericsson, Stina}},
  issn         = {{2582-8304}},
  keywords     = {{Universal design; Design for all; Visualization; City planning; Categorisation; Inclusive Design; Accessibility; Usability}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  month        = {{06}},
  number       = {{6 (June)}},
  pages        = {{10--29}},
  series       = {{Design for All, India}},
  title        = {{From inclusive to nonclusive design : a shift in categorisation}},
  url          = {{http://designforall.in/?mdocs-file=2470}},
  volume       = {{19}},
  year         = {{2024}},
}