A LOOK INTO SOCIETY
If you’re able bodied reading this blog, you may be thinking:
“Okay, so we’ve talked about inclusion in the workplace, but not about outside of it so what’s the point?”
Let me introduce you to Sinead Burke, who's Ted Talk is shown above, who has a congenital condition that causes her to be genetically shorter than the average height. With her smaller stature, comes the trials and tribulations of trying to survive life in a world meant for those who are taller than 4’11.
Ms. Burke tells the audience of her TedTalk that she “cannot use the toilet” as “It is deliberately designed higher so that wheelchair users can transfer across with ease.” This is a great example of creative thinking at work to include others, however, it turns a blind eye to others that need help. When thinking about accessibility, Ms. Burke brings up how it is important to consider “who is it accessible to? And whose needs are not being accommodated for?”
Elise Roy would agree with her statement and further her point by talking about her own inventions. Elise Roy used her hearing impairment as a way to further come up with solutions. She invented glasses that alert the hard of hearing to kickbacks of tools and other materials. Other engineers around her had not thought of this invention because it had not crossed their mind that this needed to happen. However she was able to find the solution as it was something that helped her see the world differently, for example how texting was made for the deaf but became popularized and loved by the larger society.
Both Elise and Sinead express how important design is for the disability community, and how it would only benefit those who are able bodied and become another part of their daily routine. Sinead gives her thoughts on universal design, living in a world not built for her where she emphasizes that:
“Design greatly impacts upon people's lives, all lives. Design is a way in which we can feel included in the world, but it is also a way in which we can uphold a person's dignity and their human rights. Design can also inflict vulnerability on a group whose needs aren't considered”
Designing for everyone would only improve our overall quality of life as new ways of thinking would be encouraged, allowing to see beyond the confinements of what already exists.