The i-design programme set out to provide industrial decision makers, and those involved in commissioning and managing design, with mechanisms to understand the significance of age and capability related factors. It also set out to provide the design community with the guidance required to respond appropriately at all stages of the research and development process, thus enabling them to deliver more effective products and services with the potential to satisfy customers of all ages and abilities.

The 3 year project, funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), was a collaboration between the Helen Hamlyn Research Centre, the Engineering Design Centre at Cambridge University, the Design for Ability unit at Central St Martins, and the Design Council. It ran from 2000 to 2003, and led to the development of a new British Standard, on-line resources for education, business and design, a Design Council Policy Paper, a ground breaking book, and over 60 research publications.

BS 7000-6 Guide to managing inclusive design

Published in January 2005, this British Standard sets out the business case for inclusive design, and supports it with practical guidance on how to build an inclusive approach into design practice, business goals and management strategy. By following the guidance, companies will enjoy increased market share through mainstream products and services that meet the needs of previously excluded customers, and also protect themselves against the legal consequences of failure to comply with the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) 1995 and related legislation, both in the UK and international markets.

Inclusive design education resource

A series of inclusive design case studies in packaging, product, communication, environment and furniture design form the basis of an educational tool. The tool gives practical, worked examples, illustrating the inclusive design challenge, how that has been explored with a research partner, the methodology employed, and the final results. It also offers a discussion of key issues and proposes practical briefs for pupils and students to follow.

About Design: Inclusive Design

As part of the Design Council's About Design information resource, the section, or knowledge cell, on inclusive design offers a range of information and guidance on the why and how of inclusive design, aimed at business decision-makers and design professionals.

Inclusive Design Toolkit

This toolkit for the design community sets out to bring together new and existing information on best practice in inclusive design and make it accessible via a single interface. Existing information has been gathered together into a format that will allow newcomers to inclusive design to get up to speed quickly, and also support people working on specific design projects and those with an in-depth interest in the subject.

Living Longer: the new context for design

Written by Roger Coleman of the Helen Hamlyn Research Centre, and published by the Design Council as one of a series of Design Policy Papers, Living Longer explores the changes in society that have led to the growth of the ageing population and how design interventions can improve the quality of later life. The paper also unpacks the concept of inclusive design (or design for all) and demonstrates that by taking account of the needs of those currently marginalised by society, designers can develop products and services that address the needs of the widest possible audience.

The paper closes with a set of recommendations providing the basis for a comprehensive range of actions by government, education organisations, businesses and designers to take advantage of the opportunity to improve both prosperity and well-being through inclusive design. Published in 2001, it can be downloaded from the Design Council web site.

Inclusive design: design for the whole population

A 625 page compendium of theory and practice in 36 chapters, with contributions from over 40 authors from four continents. Edited by John Clarkson and Simeon Keats of the Engineering Design Centre at the University of Cambridge, and Cherie Lebbon and Roger Coleman of the Helen Hamlyn Research Centre. The book is divided into four sections: an historical and international overview of the subject; the business case; a design toolkit; and a range of future views, both speculative and practical. Includes a glossary of terms, keyword index and author biographies.

Published March 2003 by Springer-Verlag, London. ISBN 1852337001.
You can order the book from www.amazon.co.uk or other bookshops.