Exploring inclusion and accessibility: The design process as a user/expert

This is an in-depth study exploring accessibility and inclusion in airport restroom facilities and the design process as a user/expert. Industrial design and several of the design processes including the generic, user-centered, and empathic approaches are discussed, as is the history and definition of the user/expert. Research was conducted by a user/expert who is legally blind to discover areas of opportunity where design could provide solutions to the many problems unearthed. After locating the areas of opportunity, concepts were generated, selected, and eventually refined to provide viable solutions to aid in imparting the most independent travel experience for people who are legally blind/blind. Additionally, the user/expert/designer determined the best manner in which the user/expert can provide information to the design team about their lived experience and material landscape. The results of this research presents a new design process model for future design teams to work together with user/experts to gain new knowledge into the user experience and provide more viable outcomes as design solutions to the user/expert’s specific problems.

Name thesis:degree_name

M.F.A.

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Art and Design

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2014

Author dc:creator

• Schneider, Sheila

Contributors dc:contributor

• McDonagh, Deana C.

• User/expert
• design
• Accessibility
• inclusion
• restrooms

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright 2014 Sheila Schneider

Language dc:language

en

Handle dc:identifier

http://hdl.handle.net/2142/49408

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/49408