INNOVATION AND COLLABORATION BETWEEN USERS AND PROVIDERS

摘要

Many of the places, products and processes that people must use in their daily lives contain barriers that exclude anyone who has impairment. Unfortunately, while these barriers are very familiar to those who are excluded by them, other people may be quite unaware of their existence, let alone of their effects. To improve the quality and inclusivity of the places, products and processes that they offer, it is important that innovators and providers are fully aware of these barriers, how they could be overcome and of the benefits that they and their users could gain from inclusion. Disabled users in Sheffield have been providing developers with these direct insights as a means of ensuring that their mutual interests will lead to better, more inclusive homes and neighbourhoods. The workshop will presents examples of the collaboration that is being undertaken to develop and provide more inclusive hotel bedrooms, museums and their exhibits, barriers on country walks, information for home rental and purchase and "step-free" access to local transport vehicles. These examples will enable workshop participants to discuss the processes of exposing and eradicating barriers and of bringing more inclusive outcomes into mainstream, economically viable use.