The 7 Principles and the 8 Goals of universal design have their roots in the built environment and people with disability. We have moved on since their inception to thinking about how other marginalised groups can be included. With this thinking comes intersectionality where an individual can be a member of more than one of those groups. For example, a female refugee with a disability.
The 8-Inclusion Needs framework sits alongside the classic 7 Principles and the practical 8 Goals of universal design. Together they provide a more holistic view of the real lives of people.
The framework seeks to provide a new perspective for shifting the focus from a list of identities to addressing the needs of all people. As such it provides a guide for inclusive designs and interventions that eliminate discrimination. It also provides another perspective on the amorphous term “diversity”.
The 8-Inclusion Needs of All People framework
The 8-Inclusion Needs were drawn from the results of a literature review. Briefly, they are :
1. Access – Ensuring all people can see and hear, or understand via alternatives, what is being communicated; and physically access or use what is being provided.
2. Space – Ensuring there is a space provided that allows all people to feel, and are, safe to do what they need to do.
3. Opportunity – Ensuring all people are provided opportunity to fulfil their potential.
4. Representation – Ensuring all people can contribute and are equally heard and valued.
5. Allowance – Ensuring allowances are made without judgement to accommodate the specific needs of all people.
6. Language – Ensuring the choice of words or language consider the specific needs of all people.
7. Respect – Ensuring the history, identity, and beliefs of all people are respectfully considered.
8. Support – Ensuring additional support is provided to enable all people to achieve desired outcomes.
Individual identities – a list
Identities included in the analysis of research on the lived-experience of underrepresented identities:
- Socio-economic status/class
- Illness (physical or mental)
The title of the article is, The 8-Inclusion Needs of All People: A proposed Framework to Address Intersectionality in Efforts to Prevent Discrimination. Published in the International Journal of Social Science Research and Review.
From the abstract
This paper begins by highlighting the current state of inclusion, and then reviews research on the application of intersectionality to address discrimination.
The literature review includes an overview of existing models designed to assist the application of intersectionality in reducing discrimination.
An analysis of research on the discrimination causes of 13 individual identities and 5 intersectional identities was undertaken. Eight common themes emerged, and in light of the findings, a proposed new framework, called The 8-Inclusion Needs of All People, is presented.
The framework is illustrated with recommendations for application in government and policy making, the law, advocacy work, and in organizations. This goal is to provide a useful framework for expediting social justice and equitable outcomes for all people.