Why is it important to involve people with disabilities in the design process?

Involving people with disabilities in the design process is crucial because their input ensures that the solutions developed genuinely meet the needs and preferences of users. Individuals with disabilities have firsthand experience with the challenges they encounter in various environments and can offer valuable insights into how products, services, or environments can be better designed to be inclusive and accessible.

Engaging with these individuals during the design phase helps to identify barriers that might not be apparent to those without similar experiences. This collaboration fosters the creation of solutions that are not only functional but also user-friendly, ultimately leading to products that improve the quality of life for everyone. Such inclusive design practices align with universal design principles, which advocate for creating environments that are usable by all people, regardless of their abilities.