Design For Inclusion – serie

This book proposes a novel approach to the design of accessible and inclusive sailing yachts, inspired by the principles of “Design for All.”  The goal is to allow anyone, including users with disabilities and individuals belonging to the weaker segments, to sail without barriers. Starting from an analysis of existing pleasure boats, the author identifies a series of factors limiting the accessibility or usability of external and internal spaces. In turn, he discusses the most suitable solutions to each. By proposing an extensive set of design solutions applicable to the confined spaces on yachts, and which comply with the relevant anthropometric and dimensional rules, the book offers a timely snapshot of the potential benefits and applicability of an inclusive approach to yacht design, setting a new reference standard for inclusive and accessible nautical design.

This book proposes a novel approach to the design of accessible and inclusive sailing yachts, inspired by the principles of “Design for All.”  The goal is to allow anyone, including users with disabilities and individuals belonging to the weaker segments, to sail without barriers. Starting from an analysis of existing pleasure boats, the author identifies a series of factors limiting the accessibility or usability of external and internal spaces. In turn, he discusses the most suitable solutions to each. By proposing an extensive set of design solutions applicable to the confined spaces on yachts, and which comply with the relevant anthropometric and dimensional rules, the book offers a timely snapshot of the potential benefits and applicability of an inclusive approach to yacht design, setting a new reference standard for inclusive and accessible nautical design.

This book gathers revised and selected contributions to the 5th Dementia Lab Conference, D-Lab 2021, organized online on January 18-28, 2021, from the Emily Carr University of Art + Design, Vancouver, Canada. It describes original strategies in which design or creative methods have been shown to uncover, support and enhance the abilities of people living with dementia. Papers report on new ideas and findings relating to three main themes: engagement, empowerment and identity. They cover: ethics of inclusion and solutions for shifting the culture of care to be focused on both personal independence and reconnecting with the community; new ways of designing with people living with dementia; strategies for breaking negative stereotypes and preconceived opinions; and approaches to retaining personhood and dignity. Offering a timely source of information on new design and creative methods to a broad community of industrial, communication, interactive and inclusive designers, this book is also meant to address and inspire various stakeholders and organizations in dementia care.

This book gathers the revised and selected contributions to the 6th Dementia Lab Conference, D-Lab 2022, held on September 20-22, 2022, in Leuven. It describes original and innovative research on how design can contribute to the quality of life of people with dementia, their loved ones, and caregivers. The papers highlight the value of participation within design, analyzing it at three levels: personal, product, and organizational. The presented ideas and findings address ‘The Residue of Design’ and go beyond the initial impact of the design itself by looking at what benefits design research brings for people with dementia. The papers cover topics such as the development of creative design methods to foster participation and engagement from people with dementia, evaluation studies or critical reflections that reveal the impact of products and the built environment in dementia care, and raising awareness and countering stigma in societal views on dementia.

This book gathers the revised and selected contributions to the 6th Dementia Lab Conference, D-Lab 2022, held on September 20-22, 2022, in Leuven. It describes original and innovative research on how design can contribute to the quality of life of people with dementia, their loved ones, and caregivers. The papers highlight the value of participation within design, analyzing it at three levels: personal, product, and organizational. The presented ideas and findings address ‘The Residue of Design’ and go beyond the initial impact of the design itself by looking at what benefits design research brings for people with dementia. The papers cover topics such as the development of creative design methods to foster participation and engagement from people with dementia, evaluation studies or critical reflections that reveal the impact of products and the built environment in dementia care, and raising awareness and countering stigma in societal views on dementia.

This book reports on an inclusive design project aimed at developing IoT-based wearable devices for special populations. Specifically, it covers the design, the implementation and testing of a smart mHealth system that uses sensory cues to monitor and train the gait and posture of people with Parkinson’s disease. It presents a user-centred strategy to better involve the users in defining the most suitable type of sensory cues and their combination, and in the design of the user interface, at the purpose of developing a gait tutoring system that better fits users’ needs and requirements. All in all, this book offers extensive information on the state-of-the-art in the design and testing of innovative user-centred mHealth systems. Giving a particular attention to the explanation of the tools and methodological choices, it provides readers with a timely reference guide to understand and deal with complex inclusive design projects.

This is an open access book. It gathers revised and selected contributions to the 7th Dementia Lab Conference, D-Lab 2025, held on March 13–14, 2025, in Aveiro, Portugal, reporting on innovative research aimed at improving the lives of people with dementia, their loved ones, and their caregivers. This edition addresses the theme of ethics + aesthetics in design. Ethics emphasize justice, advocate for inclusive, person-centred practices, and challenge societal stigmas. Aesthetics, beyond beauty, focus on sensory and emotional engagement, which becomes increasingly significant as dementia progresses. Together, these principles guide innovative design approaches that enhance care, identity, and connection. Being organized into three themes, Designing with People with Dementia, Including Design in Dementia Care, and Design within Cultures of Care, this collection highlights research on participation, technology, and the cultural dimensions of care. It also demonstrates the key role of design in creating products and environments that embrace aesthetic value and is expected to challenge stigmas and unrealistic assumptions about people living with dementia