Lesson video

Hi there, everybody.

My name is Mr. Booth.

And welcome to your Design and Technology lesson for today.

It's brilliant that you could join me.

Today, we are looking at what is inclusive design? This is part of the Inclusive Design: Mental Health and Wellbeing Unit.

Today's outcome, "I want you to be able to explain what inclusive design is and why it matters for mental health and wellbeing." Now, because we are talking about mental health and wellbeing today, we need to lay a few ground rules.

The first of those is listen to others.

It's okay to disagree with each other, but we should listen properly before making assumptions or deciding how to respond.

When disagreeing, remember to challenge the statement and not the person who is making that statement.

We need to respect privacy.

We can discuss examples, but do not use names or descriptions that identify anyone, including ourselves.

No judgment.

We can explore beliefs and misunderstandings about a topic without fear of being judged.

And finally, choose the level of participation.

Everybody has the right to choose not to answer a question or to join in with the discussion.

We never put anyone on the spot.

We have quite a few keywords today for you to look at.

The first is inclusive design, designing products, spaces, or services that work for as many people as possible, considering different abilities, needs, and experiences.

Accessible design.

Designing specifically to remove barriers so people with disabilities can use a product, a space, or a service.

Mental health, a person's emotional, psychological, and social state, which affects how they think, feel, and act.

Wellbeing, the state of feeling healthy, happy, and comfortable in everyday life.

And finally, flexibility.

The ability of a product or space to be adjusted or adapted so it can meet different people's needs.

We have two learning cycles today.

The first, what is inclusive design? Let's take a look.

Inclusive design is about creating products, spaces, or services that work for as many people as possible.

Accessible design focuses on removing barriers for people with disabilities.

Inclusive design goes further than accessible design by considering all types of differences.

These will include physical, cognitive, and emotional needs, as well as mental health and wellbeing.

In this unit, you'll be exploring inclusive design within the theme of mental health and wellbeing.

Quick check for understanding.

Inclusive design and accessible design mean the same thing.

Is that true or is that false? Pause the video now and have a go at this.

Come back to me when you've got your answer.

Well, that is, of course, false, but I wanna know why.

So pause the video again, have a go at this.

Come back to me when you think you've got a reason why.

Well, the answer is, of course, accessible design focuses on specific barriers, while inclusive design considers a wide range of human difference.

Well done.

Now, humans differ in many ways.

We know that.

Inclusive design recognizes differences in: physical abilities, such as mobility or strength; cognitive abilities, such as memory or attention; emotional and social needs, including mental health; and sensory needs, such as sensitivity to light or sound.

Designing for these differences ensures that more people can use and enjoy products and spaces safely and comfortably.

A check for understanding.

Which of these is not a human difference considered in inclusive design? A, height.

B, favorite color.

C, sensory sensitivity.

Or D, mental health.

Pause the video now, have a go at this and come back to me when you've got your answers.

And the answer is, of course, favorite color.

Inclusive design can be seen in everyday products and spaces.

Let's have a look at some examples of these.

So in hotel rooms, you might have adjustable lighting so that people who are sensitive to bright lights can adjust the room to their preferences.

You often see quiet zones or sensory-friendly rooms in libraries, classrooms, and even museums. Workspaces will have flexible seating and standing options for people to feel more comfortable.

And, of course, apps with multiple ways to interact, such as text, voice, or visuals, rather than just having to read.

All these solutions support wellbeing and make products and spaces usable for more people.

Another check for understanding.

Match each example to its inclusive design benefit.

So let's have a look at the examples first.

So we have A, adjustable lighting.

We have B quiet zone.

We have C, multiple ways to interact with an app.

And then let's look at the benefits.

So number one is helps people focus or feel more comfortable.

We have two, supports different communication needs.

And then three, reduces sensory overload.

Pause the video now, have a go at this and come back to me when you've matched them up.

So how did you get on? Well, first of all, adjustable lighting.

This, of course, reduces sensory overload.

We then have quiet zone.

This helps people focus and feel comfortable.

And multiple ways to interact with an app that supports different communication needs.

Well done.

Inclusive design and accessible design are not the same.

We've already looked at this.

For example, a building installs a ramp to ensure people using wheelchairs can enter easily.

This is an example of accessible design because it removes a physical barrier for a specific group of people or users.

The building also includes quiet zones, adjustable lighting, and flexible seating to support people who may feel anxious, are sensitive to bright lights, or need a calm space to focus.

These additional features are inclusive design because they consider a wider range of human difference, including mental health and wellbeing.

And this, of course, benefits more people.

Check for understanding.

Which of these best describes inclusive design? We have A, design only for people with disabilities.

B, design to make something look nice.

C, design for as many people as possible, considering all types of differences.

Pause the video now, have a go at this.

Come back to me when you've got your answer.

It is, of course, C, design for as many people as possible, considering all types of differences.

Well done.

We're now onto your first task, Task A.

The first thing I would like you to do is explain the difference between accessible design and inclusive design.

I then want you to give two examples of how a product or space could be made inclusive.

I then want you to consider this.

A community center installs handrails in the bathrooms for people with mobility issues.

They also add adjustable height tables and a sensory-friendly room with soft lighting and calming music.

Identify which features are examples of accessible design and which are examples of inclusive design.

Next, why is it important for designers to consider mental health and wellbeing when creating products or spaces? And then finally, I want you to choose one of the following everyday products and identify one way it could be made more inclusive considering mental health or wellbeing.

And those everyday products are a classroom chair, an educational website such as Oak National Academy, and a drinking fountain.

Pause the video now, have a go at all these tasks and come back to me when you've completed.

So how did you get on? Let's have a look at some sample answers.

So the first question was, explain the difference between accessible design and inclusive design.

Well, accessible design removes barriers for specific groups.

Inclusive design considers all human difference, including mental health and wellbeing, so more people can use it.

Next, I wanted to give two examples of how a product or space could be made more inclusive: a bus with adjustable and priority seating for different needs, a kitchen workspace with easy grip utensils and adjustable height counters.

Next, a community center installs handrails in the bathroom for people with mobility issues.

They add adjustable height tables and a sensory-friendly room with soft lighting and calming music.

I wanted you to identify which of those features are accessible and which were inclusive design.

Handrails is an example of accessible design, while adjustable height tables and sensory-friendly rooms are inclusive design.

Then the next question was, why is it important for designers to consider mental health and wellbeing when creating products or spaces? It ensures products and spaces are safe, comfortable, and usable for more people, supporting inclusion.

And finally, I wanted you to choose one of the following everyday products and identify one way it could be made more inclusive when considering mental health and wellbeing.

Let's have a look at some sample answers.

So the first one was the classroom chair.

Well, you could include cushions or having a rocking base to help students focus better when they are able to move a bit more.

This, of course, will support comfort and concentration.

We then had an educational website where we could have a simplified mode or calming colors and fewer distractions to support students with anxiety or focus difficulties.

And then we had the drinking fountain.

Well, this could include touch-free sensors and multiple heights, reducing stress for people who dislike shared surfaces and also support younger or shorter users.

So we're now onto our second learning cycle, inclusive products, so let's have a look at some of these.

People use products and spaces in different ways.

We know that.

A design that works for one person might not work for another.

Inclusive design addresses this by building inflexibility, the ability to adapt or adjust so the product or space supports diverse user needs.

Quick check for understanding.

True or false? Flexibility in design only benefits people with disabilities.

Is that true or false? Pause the video now, have a go at this and come back to me when you've got your answer.

It is, of course false, but I want you also to tell me why.

So again, pause the video, come back to me when you've got your answer.

So the reason it's false, well, flexibility helps everyone.

For example, adjustable brightness on a phone helps people with vision differences, but also anyone using their phone in sunlight.

Inclusive products and spaces often have features that allow adjustment.

Let's look at some examples of these.

So first of all, chairs with adjustable height to fit different body sizes.

We also have settings that allow different display modes on smartphones, such as dark mode or high contrast.

Headphones with adjustable volume or noise-canceling options so you can focus on what you are playing.

And we also have public transport with priority seating and space for wheelchairs or pushchairs or strollers.

These designs adapt for different needs, improving comfort, safety, and, of course, wellbeing.

Check for understanding.

Which of these is an example of flexibility in inclusive design? Is it A, a fixed-size chair? B, a desk that adjusts in height? Or C, a door that opens one way? Pause the video now, have a go at this and come back to me when you've got your answer.

It is, of course B, a desk that adjusts in height.

Well done.

Flexibility in design also supports mental health and wellbeing.

Examples of this include: smart home lighting systems that allow users to adjust brightness and color tone depending on mood, time of day, or possibly sensory preferences.

Websites or learning platforms that let users change font size, text spacing, or background colors for easier reading.

We have water bottles that have interchangeable lids, so you could have a straw, a spout, or a wide mouth opening to suit different preferences and also motor abilities when drinking.

Community sports facilities that offer multiple versions of the same activities.

Some examples of these include walking football, chair or aqua yoga, so more people can participate in those same activities and sports.

Inclusive design often means creating flexible solutions that can be adapted by different users.

This ensures products and spaces meet diverse needs, including those related to mental health and wellbeing, making them usable by more people.

Check for understanding.

Why is flexibility important in inclusive design? A, it allows designs to adapt to different users' needs.

B, it means designers don't have to think about users.

C, it makes products cheaper to produce.

Pause the video now, have a go at this and come back to me when you've got your answer.

It is, of course, A, it allows designs to adapt to different users' needs.

So now onto Task B.

Explain how flexibility makes a product more inclusive.

Give one example of a flexible feature in a product and explain how it supports users' needs.

A university designs lecture rooms with moveable furniture and adjustable lighting.

Explain why these features are examples of inclusive design.

Why is flexibility important for supporting mental health and wellbeing? Finally, choose one of the frequently used products below and suggest one way it could be made more flexible to meet different user needs.

And those products are a backpack, headphones, or a smartphone.

Pause the video now, have a go at this task and come back to me when you've completed it.

So how did you get on? Well, let's have a look at some example answers.

Explain how flexibility makes a product more inclusive.

Flexibility allows users to adapt a product or space to their needs, so it can be used by a wider range of people.

Give one example of a flexible feature in a product and explain how it supports users' needs.

So noise-canceling headphones support people who get distracted or overwhelmed by background noise, improving focus and comfort.

A university designs lecture rooms with moveable furniture and adjustable lighting.

Explain why these features are examples of inclusive design.

Moveable furniture and adjustable lighting make the room flexible so students with different physical, sensory, or emotional needs can use the space comfortably.

Why is flexibility important for supporting mental health and wellbeing? Flexibility lets people adjust their environment, reducing stress and creating comfort, which supports mental health and wellbeing.

And finally, I wanted you to choose one of the frequently used products and suggest one way it could be made more flexible to meet different user needs.

So first of all, we had a backpack.

This could have adjustable strap padding and modular compartments, so a user can change weight distribution and organization.

The headphones.

Well, these could include both over-ear and in-ear attachments so people can choose the style that's most comfortable.

And finally, the smartphone.

Well, this could offer multiple input options, such as text, voice, and gesture control, giving users flexibility in how they interact.

That brings us to the end of today's lesson.

You've been absolutely fantastic.

Well done.

Let's have a quick summary.

Inclusive design considers a wide range of human differences, including mental health and wellbeing.

Accessible design removes barriers for specific groups, but inclusive design goes further.

Inclusive products often use flexibility so they can be adapted for different user needs.

Designing with flexibility supports comfort, usability, and improve wellbeing for more people.

Where can you get support? NHS Live Well, NHS advice about healthy living, exercise, quitting smoking, and drinking less alcohol.

There is also the NHS website, NHS advice about health and prevention, including how to access services.

You've been all fantastic today.

I look forward to seeing you all next time.

Goodbye.