Beyond the Binary: An Intersectional Approach towards a more Systemic Inclusive Design.

In a society characterized by superdiversity, Inclusive Design practice has become increasingly important to ensure accessibility for all. While the Inclusive Design (ID) paradigm aims to enable an increasingly diverse population to participate in society, in recent years its practice has faced criticism for its single-axis conception of diversity and limited development of inclusion, limiting its potential for fostering equity in design.In this project, I present 'intersectionality' (IS) as an innovative and promising framework to unlock the full potential of ID. IS highlights the complex interplay of various forms of oppression based on identity categories such as gender, race, and class. By acknowledging the intersecting systems of oppression that shape individuals' experiences, IS challenges the traditional single-axis approach in ID, which fails to capture the multidimensional nature of lived experiences. This project aims to explore the potential of an intersectional framework for ID to address its limited conception of inclusion and diversity. Using both theoretical and empirical methodologies, I seek to uncover systems of power imbedded in ID discourse and amplify marginalized voices. I aim to develop an intersectional design framework capable of addressing today's systemic design challenges, as they unfold for complex, multidimensional stakeholders. Finally, the development of an actionable toolkit strives to promote equitable design practices.

Keywords:INCLUSIVE DESIGN, INTERSECTIONAL FEMINISM

Disciplines:Radical and critical sociology, feminist studies, Human-centred design, Gender studies, Inclusive design, Social design

Project type:Collaboration project