Accessible vs. Inclusive

Accessible vs. Inclusive Design: What’s the Difference?
At Air, we know that the terms “accessible” and “inclusive” design are often used as if they mean the same thing, but they actually refer to two different approaches.

What’s the Difference?
Accessible design is all about making sure products, services, and environments are usable by everyone, regardless of their abilities. The main goal is to remove barriers so that people with varying abilities can access and use the same resources as those without disabilities. While accessibility is a crucial part of inclusive design, it’s important to remember that they are not the same thing. Accessible design focuses on meeting specific standards, whereas inclusive design takes a broader approach, helping designers remove barriers across all kinds of users.

What Does Inclusive Design Involve?

To truly embrace inclusivity, it’s important to reflect a wide range of people and perspectives in the design process. This means considering not just physical abilities, but also cultural and environmental factors. Inclusive design requires curiosity, attention to detail, and a diverse, collaborative team. At Air, we give our designers the tools and opportunities to explore new ideas, cultures, and environments as part of their personal and professional development, which is key to fostering inclusive thinking.

The Power of Collaboration

Creating truly inclusive design isn’t just about accommodating physical and cognitive differences—it’s about involving those who are often overlooked. By bringing in a wide range of voices and perspectives from the start, we can design solutions that work for everyone who interacts with, manages, or delivers the final product.

At Air, we believe that inclusive design isn’t about achieving perfection, and we’re upfront about that with our clients. No design can fully capture every human need, but by listening carefully and considering diverse perspectives, we get closer to creating experiences that feel meaningful to more people.

Moving Forward: Inclusivity Beyond Accessibility

To avoid the common pitfalls of inclusivity, it’s important to recognize and address our unconscious biases—those hidden stereotypes we might have about different groups of people. This isn’t always easy, but there are ways to tackle these issues. One of the most effective methods is to include a variety of voices in the design process from the very beginning.

In the past, inclusive design has often focused on visual or mobility impairments, particularly in areas like wayfinding. But today, wayfinding is seen as much more than just signage—it’s part of a brand’s identity and plays a key role in placemaking. As this understanding has evolved, so has the need to rethink inclusive design. We’re now moving from designing for people to designing with people, which helps us avoid assumptions and instead address real needs.

As we continue to grow and learn in this field, our commitment to diversity, collaboration, and empathy
remains central to our approach. Only by working together can we create designs that truly benefit everyone.