Inclusive Design

Designing in an inclusive way ensures that as many people can take part and benefit from the product, service or solution created, regardless of age, cultural background, disability, gender, impairments, or socioeconomic background. Designing in an inclusive way should also consider affordability, giving people a chance to participate regardless of the resources or income they have.

A set of tools and principles underpinning the inclusive design methodology, introduced by Microsoft for designers to build digital environments that enable and draws on the full range of human diversity.

Principles outlining key considerations for anyone involved in developing websites or applications to approach inclusive design. You can also view a talk by one of the contributors (Henry Swan) about how the principles came about and some examples of how they're applied in practice.

First created in 1997 by a working group of architects, product engineers, and environmental design researchers to guide the design of environment, products, and communications. The Centre for Universal Design provides different useful resources around applying these principles in different design disciplines and context.

Relevant resources

Accessibility resources:


Affordable design

Designing inclusively also means ensuring that as many people can access the service, product or solution, and can afford it. Extreme explores and supports projects that seek to serve low resources communities through affordable and low-cost solutions.