Why?

Design for All offers a practical and effective approach to achieving equality in the use of spaces. It is a methodology designed to promote people's independence, with or without disabilities.

Inclusion and self-determination are principles that are shared and recognized by law (link). New operational tools, such as those provided by Design for All, are needed to achieve these goals.

Therefore, designing a building, a service, a training for all it is possible and necessary:

• Possible: because Design for All is an operational discipline that improves traditional work processes. The design is traditionally made for both individuals with and without disabilities, using a vertical decision model – in which specialists, clients and decision-makers develop solutions which are then made available to end users. At Design for All, we design with people, choosing a horizontal decision-making model. The driving force behind this model is the combination of needs and wishes of all stakeholders.

• Necessary: because Design for All responds and adapts to our changing society, both in cultural and pragmatic terms.

According to the World Health Organization's (WHO) most recent report, approximately 15% of the working population worldwide (age range 15 to 65 years) is living with one or more disabilities.
Human science, statistics, and economic studies have long drawn attention to the ageing of the population and the consequences that this demographic trend will have on the development of our society. When designing spaces, services and information, it is therefore essential to assess today’s needs, while also considering the needs and wishes of tomorrow’s users.

Promoting personal independence goes beyond elderly people and people with disabilities. A civil society that acknowledges the diversity of its members requires solutions that facilitate opportunities, such as access to services and attendance at events, to promote personal independence.

These considerations mean that the human archetype model is no longer sufficient to convey the complexity of the real. Design for All goes beyond the concept of standard, opting for a more diverse vision that is inspired by numerous, diverse and real people, rather than ideal.

Why?

Promoting personal independence goes beyond elderly people and people with disabilities. A civil society that acknowledges the diversity of its members requires solutions that facilitate opportunities, such as access to services and attendance at events, to promote personal independence.

These considerations mean that the human archetype model is no longer sufficient to convey the complexity of the real. Design for All goes beyond the concept of standard, opting for a more diverse vision that is inspired by numerous, diverse and real people, rather than ideal.

Legal references