Accessible Design

Image sourced from: Windows Central

Microsoft recently caught my eye with their Xbox packaging for disables gamers. They are due to release an adaptive controller for those with limited mobility in September 2018, which is a huge step forwards in accessible design.

Accessible design is when you specifically consider the needs of people with disabilities in the design process and Microsoft have done that here. They really have considered their users on many levels, not only in their product, but also in the redesign of their packaging to ensure the user can open it as easily as possible.

Image sourced from: Design Week

On both the shipping and product box a large loop is attached to taped areas, allowing for the tape to be pulled off with one hand. The same approach has been taken inside the product box with a ribbon loop which aids you to lift the hinged lid, making it possible to open with very little movement. The start-up guide for the controller have been simplified into four diagrams on an A4 sheet of paper, and even the noise level of unpacking the box has been considered to ensure it doesn’t make much of it.

I came across the packaging design on Design Week and am highly impressed with what I saw. This product will make a huge difference to many disabled gamers lives, allowing them to easily connect to a mainstream console.

As well as Microsoft, Morrisons have also been considering their accessible design with introducing a weekly ‘quiet hour’ in their stores. This was been brought in for autistic shoppers to create a calm and welcoming environment for them to shop in. The stores dim their lights, turn off the music, avoid using the Tannoy and turn down checkout bleeps. I spoke to one parent with an autistic child who said it is a fantastic idea but unfortunately the hour which had been chosen wasn’t as suitable as it could be for them.

Hopefully this is a sign of what is to come, and designers can now find themselves designing for  those with disabilities, allowing these users/customers to enjoy things which they currently can't without a workaround or bespoke solution.