Why inclusive design makes smarter technology for all

Date:
Wed, 26 Aug 2026 13:01:35 +0000

Description:
Inclusive design puts real human needs at the heart of meaningful technology innovation.

FULL STORY ======================================================================Copy link Facebook X Whatsapp Reddit Pinterest Flipboard Threads Email Share this article 0 Join the conversation Follow us Add us as a preferred source on Google Newsletter Subscribe to our newsletter Inclusion is often discussed in terms of culture, hiring or representation.

These things matter deeply, but for a technology company, it is critical that inclusivity is also reflected in the products and services our customers use every day in other words, smarter technology thats truly for all. Living our Smarter Technology for All vision has always depended on building a culture where people feel they belong. Latest Videos From TechRadar Watch full video here:

In my view, inclusion is not a team that exists in one part of a business . Its a cultural pillar thats reflected in how we make decisions and serve our customers. Calvin J. Crosslin Social Links Navigation

VP, Chief Inclusion Officer at Lenovo and President of the Lenovo Foundation. This effort to embed inclusion has led us to establish an Inclusive Product Design Office (IPDO), which integrates inclusive design expertise into
product development rather than treating accessibility as an afterthought.
You may like Why human-centric displays matter in the screen-first workplace Why AI success starts with teams, not tech AI needs rules and rails: Why governance must move beyond policy Who a product serves That means we need to think about who a product serves from the outset, considering all consumers unique needs and attributes early enough to mitigate bias or limit usability of our products and services. The bias were working to eliminate could be
part of anyones background cultural, physical, or economical.

However, people with disabilities continue to represent one of the most important and complex demographics were working to include through the
efforts of the IPDO. The scale is significant. The World Health Organisation estimates that 1.3 billion people experience significant disability, representing 16% of the global population. Are you a pro? Subscribe to our newsletter Sign up to the TechRadar Pro newsletter to get all the top news, opinion, features and guidance your business needs to succeed! Contact me
with news and offers from other Future brands Receive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

That is one in six of us. Plus, almost everyone will experience some form of disability, temporary or permanent, at some point in their life.
Accessibility should therefore be treated as a part of mainstream product design, because users with disabilities are part of the mainstream.

This is why accessibility should be considered as a priority at the start of product development. Once a product has been designed, accessibility can become harder to address properly. It risks becoming a patch, rather than an integral part of the user experience.

Our Inclusive Product Design Office has expanded vetting of our products and solutions, ensuring our technology can work for all, regardless of background or ability. The process may involve examining how users receive system feedback , how they physically interact with a device, or how easily they can navigate software using assistive technology. What to read next Work in 2026: the future of flexible tech It's time tech professionals had a standard to adhere to Ensuring variety in todays AI-native era

The thinking is simple: not everyone interacts with technology in the same way, and good design should reflect that reality. Valuable insights Some of our most valuable design insights come from listening. Through our collaboration with the Governor Morehead School for the Blind in North Carolina, weve learned directly from blind and low-vision users about how
they interact with our products. Those conversations have shaped product decisions in ways our engineering teams never anticipated.

In some cases, the challenge is physical. For example, a laptop that can be opened easily with one hand can support individuals with a mobility need. Tactile keyboard markings are helping users with low vision or reduced dexterity. Accessible packaging can also make a big difference, ensuring a device can be opened easily before it is switched on.

This principle also applies to features that may seem ordinary. Trackpad palm rejection, designed to prevent accidental inputs while typing, can unintentionally create barriers for users with limb differences. By allowing these settings to be adjustable, we empower users to control how they
interact with their technology.

When companies design for people with disabilities in mind, it forces us to
be more precise and creative about the problems we are solving. In many
cases, the result is technology that works better for a broader range of people. Simple expectations For anyone using technology, the expectation is simple: it should work with them, rather than ask them to work around it.
When technology is intuitive and adaptable, people can focus on what they set out to do.

Accessibility cannot sit at the edge of product design, because peoples
needs, environments and ways of working are constantly changing. The more we design around real human needs from the start, the more useful technology becomes for everyone.

Inclusive design is an ongoing journey, with ever-changing standards and users. There will always be more to learn, but through conversations with accessibility experts, employees, customers, and communities, we can bring about meaningful change for all.

The future of technology will not be defined simply by what an AI solution or device can do, but by the people they enable. Designing for humanity is what makes innovation meaningful. We've featured the best product management software. This article was produced as part of TechRadar Pro Perspectives , our channel to feature the best and brightest minds in the technology
industry today.

The views expressed here are those of the author and are not necessarily those of TechRadarPro or Future plc. If you are interested in contributing find out more here: https://www.techradar.com/pro/perspectives-how-to-submit



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