Better Knowledge = Better Design = Better Accessibility = Better Human Performance and Social Participation = Better Health
Better Knowledge = Better Design = Better Accessibility = Better Human Performance and Social Participation = Better Health
The purpose of BlueDot Domain is to show the intersecting vectors of knowledge domains related to Human Factors / Ergonomics , Health, Accessibility, and Design and how these relationships can provide a framework for better design. “Knowing both reflects and shapes the world. Knowledge, in other words, is a kind of design.” - Aimi Hamraie
Not only is this website meant to encourage more people to the table of design, it is offering a new table. BlueDot Domain is a road map for inclusive design in Canada.
Where do all these domains of knowledge intersect?
Universal Design is a design process which uses 7 principles to achieve design for all, regardless of ability or disability. These 7 principles are derived from the diverse knowledge area of Human Performance, Disability, and Design. Universal Design is "a process that enables and empowers a diverse population by improving human performance, health and wellness, and social participation" In short, universal design makes life easier, healthier, and friendlier for all. (Steinfeld and Maisel, 2012).
Though Universal Design is recognized around the world as a gold standard for inclusive design, there still lacks the knowledge base to help guide designers including goals, guidelines, strategies, and best practices "At this point in the history of universal design, we are still developing the conceptional framework to serve as a foundation for such a knowledge base." (Steinfeld and Maisel: Universal Design: Creating Inclusive Environments, 2012 page 89).
Now!
Working in Silos has proven to stifle innovation and inclusion. Within the last few years there has been a shift for collaborative processes as a tool for innovative and inclusive design. Below are best practice resources to achieve inclusive design using Universal Design principle and processes.
This is the problem. How do we as a society practice design using collaborative processes? The "what's in it for me" attitude is the real barrier for universal design. BlueDot Domain is meant to create a conceptional framework for relevant knowledge bases for "good design". This framework reveals the importance of collaboration of knowledge.
The Universal Design Project in the US is another example of trying to break the status quo of traditional design processes.
Assistive Technology is Innovation for Human Performance and Health. AssistiveTechnology.ca was created to showcase this concept.
Ergonomic Products also enhance human performance. People with pain related disabilities often require ergonomic products such as height adjustable desks, ergonomic chairs, and ergonomic mice / keyboards, to work consistently and productively.
"Form follows Function". Function is an important element to any design process. Better knowledge of function can improve the design outcome and enhance accessibility and use. FunctionalAssessment.ca was created to showcase this concept.
Ergonomic principles maximizes function / output by mitigating the effort required within healthy parameters. Effort can be physical, cognitive, or emotional and is commonly associated with workplaces but can also be applied to other environments such as kitchens, cars, and sports to name a few. Ergonomic principles are based on science and involve knowledge from physics, human factors, psychology, and health.
Sustainable design is associated with green design but is not sustainable if barriers exist to people with disabilities. Better knowledge of people enhances accessibility and use within the environment, with the product, or service. SustainableDesign.ca was created to showcase this concept.
Regenerative design is a process-oriented whole systems approach to design. The term "regenerative" describes processes that restore, renew or revitalize their own sources of energy and materials. - Wikipedia
"Nothing About Us Without Us". Knowledge of Disability and Accessibility is the upmost important element in any design process. Collaboration with disability groups can lead to better knowledge with respect to common barriers encountered in the built environment, virtual environment, learning, or with products and services.
IA is the classification of Information
"Ontology is a formal naming and definition of the types, properties, and interrelationships of the entities that really or fundamentally exist for a particular domain" Karl Smith - Computer Scientist @UserExperienceU
Universal Design is a concept born out of the United States and a realization that prescriptive building codes at state and national levels, such as the Americans with Disabilities Act, were insufficient to overcome barriers and achieve fully inclusive environments. In response to this dilemma, 7 principles of Universal Design were developed by a collaboration across many disciplines including architects, industrial designers, and environmental psychologists. These principles were not prescriptive but rather meant to guide designers during the design process to achieve the goal of inclusion. Ronald Mace, the person who coined the term "Universal Design" was an architect and also a person with a mobility disability. His knowledge of design and disability was influential in the development of Universal Design.
The 7 principles of Universal Design are deeply rooted in Ergonomics, Human Factors, Social Justice, Accessibility, and Design. The goals of Universal Design is simple: To maximize human performance, health, and social participation (Steinfeld and Maisel, 2012).
Universal Design is the main idea shared across multiple knowledge based websites under the BlueDot Domain framework. This framework is a novel idea to traditional website structures and meant to innovate the inclusive design industry.
AssistiveDevices.ca is a website under the BlueDot Domain Umbrella created to improve access to assistive devices in Ontario.
Between 600,000 and 700,000 persons with disabilities in Canada who have the potential to work are not working. WorkplaceInclusion.ca is a website under the BlueDot Domain Umbrella created to improve employment opportunities for people with disabilities including injured workers.