Inclusive Design

This study investigates the housing preferences and its impact on living conditions of migrant industrial workers in the fringe areas of Bengaluru, India, where rapid urbanization and economic expansion have led to a significant demand for affordable housing. Using the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), a multi-criteria decision-making framework, this study analyzed key factors influencing housing choices, such as proximity to the workplace, affordability, and access to essential amenities. Data were collected from 400 respondents through a combination of surveys, complimented by field observations and expert consultations. The findings indicate a strong preference for affordable housing close to employment hubs, with "proximity to workplace" emerging as the most critical criterion with a priority weight of 43.36%, followed by "affordability" with a priority weight of 12.47%. However, field insights reveal a trade-off with housing quality and living conditions. Many migrant workers are confined to overcrowded and poorly ventilated rental units, often provided by employers, which compromises their health and well-being. Our results contribute to the understanding of urban housing challenges in rapidly growing economies and emphasize the importance of sustainable, health-oriented housing policies that can mitigate environmental impacts and improve the quality of life for low-income migrant populations.

Genel nüfusa oranla özel ihtiyaçları olan yaşlı ve engelli bireylerin
oranındaki artışın da gösterdiği gibi, toplumun her üyesi yaşamlarının bir
noktasında özel gereksinimlere ihtiyaç duyabilir. Bu durum, fiziksel çevrenin
tüm bireylerin ihtiyaçlarını karşılayacak şekilde oluşturulması gereksinimini
vurgulamaktadır. Uygun bir fiziksel ortamın yaratılması ve inşa edilen
ortamların, özel gereksinimleri ve sınırları olanlar için daha fazla değişiklik
veya iyileştirmeye gerek kalmadan tüm bireyler tarafından özerk ve rahat bir
şekilde kullanılması, erişilebilirliğin sağlanması için gereklidir. Her bireyin
erişebilmesi gereken temel insan haklarından biri de eğitimdir. Erişilebilirlik,
sosyal, entelektüel ve kişisel gelişim üzerinde önemli bir olumlu etkiye sahip
olan üniversite kampüs ortamını ve yapılarını da kapsamalıdır. Kampüsler,
küçük bir şehrin sosyo-kültürel ortamına ve kullanıcı çeşitliliğine sahip
olmaları nedeniyle iyileştirilmesi gereken temel alanlardır. Bu çalışma,
fiziksel kısıtlılığı olan kişilerin üniversite kampüslerinde karşılaştıkları
zorlukları ele almıştır. Örneklem olarak seçilen Niğde Ömer Halisdemir
Üniversitesi Merkez Kampüsünde bir idari bina, bir eğitim binası ve bir
kongre ve kültür merkezinin erişilebilirliği, ADA standartları ve ülkemizde
kullanılan Türk standartları (TS) kullanılarak değerlendirme formları
hazırlanmıştır. Örneklem grubu olarak belirlenen 3 yapı bu yöntemle
değerlendirilerek mevcut sorunları tespit edilerek yapılardaki problemlerin
giderilebilmesi için öneriler getirilmiştir.

Drawing on and challenging more familiar ideas such as citizen science and civic tech, the term citizen technology refers to technologies that are governable by and for citizens. For the author, the concept matters not only because it questions power in the production and application of technology, but also because of its practical relevance to education and other domains.
// https://blog.castac.org/2026/05/introducing-citizen-technology-ethnographic-insights-from-makerspaces/

The inclusion of students with disabilities is a complex reality that involves not only theoretical but also practical issues. The field of ethics, pedagogy and sociology, among other sciences, update their great questions: Can everybody be educated in everything? What is the purpose of school? Should we talk about disability, special educational needs or neurodiversity? The reality of school management also raises questions: What does the right to inclusive education consist in? Is it mandatory for all schools? How is education organized in Argentina and in the Province of Buenos Aires? This book addresses these questions and goes beyond them: it offers an updated diagnosis of school reality in Argentina´s largest educational district. It examines the perception of the levels of school inclusion according to different dimensions (cultures, practices and policies), detects the main points and sources of resistance, obstacles and tensions at the time of the implementation of inclusion, and proposes, based on them, specific ideas for the design of public policies.

The rapid expansion of digital banking services has increased accessibility and convenience for users, including persons with disabilities. This study investigated the knowledge, perception, and attitudes of users with visual impairment towards e-banking systems in Oyo State, Nigeria. Specifically, the study examined the relationship among knowledge, perception, accessibility, and attitudes towards e-banking among users with visual impairment. A descriptive survey research design was adopted for the study. Purposive sampling technique was used to select 47 respondents with visual impairment comprising 24 males and 23 females. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics, including mean, standard deviation, and Pearson Product Moment Correlation (PPMC). The findings revealed a significant relationship between accessibility and usability of e-banking platforms among users with visual impairment. The study further showed that although respondents demonstrated awareness of e-banking services, challenges relating to accessibility, screen-reader compatibility, digital literacy, and transaction security still affect effective utilization. The study recommends that financial institutions should organize specialized digital literacy training for users with visual impairment, improve compatibility of e-banking applications with screen readers and voice-assisted technologies, strengthen transaction security through audio-based verification and multi-factor authentication, and develop more inclusive and accessible e-banking platforms.

The rapid expansion of digital banking services has increased accessibility and convenience for users, including persons with disabilities. This study investigated the knowledge, perception, and attitudes of users with visual impairment towards e-banking systems in Oyo State, Nigeria. Specifically, the study examined the relationship among knowledge, perception, accessibility, and attitudes towards e-banking among users with visual impairment. A descriptive survey research design was adopted for the study. Purposive sampling technique was used to select 47 respondents with visual impairment comprising 24 males and 23 females. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics, including mean, standard deviation, and Pearson Product Moment Correlation (PPMC). The findings revealed a significant relationship between accessibility and usability of e-banking platforms among users with visual impairment. The study further showed that although respondents demonstrated awareness of e-banking services, challenges relating to accessibility, screen-reader compatibility, digital literacy, and transaction security still affect effective utilization. The study recommends that financial institutions should organize specialized digital literacy training for users with visual impairment, improve compatibility of e-banking applications with screen readers and voice-assisted technologies, strengthen transaction security through audio-based verification and multi-factor authentication, and develop more inclusive and accessible e-banking platforms.

Purpose Artificial Intelligence (AI) has transformed various sectors, including healthcare, where it holds promises for improving early detection, personalized care, and decision-making. However, despite its potential, AI systems often exacerbate health inequalities, particularly among underrepresented communities, due to biased algorithms, limited accessibility, and data exclusion. This current study aims to examine inclusive AI in healthcare grounded on a patient-centered approach. Methods We conducted a literature review following PRISMA 2020 guidelines, searching across online databases for publications from diverse geographic and cultural contexts. Articles were assessed for inclusion based on specific criteria, and data on healthcare, AI type, inclusivity frameworks, implementation methods, and SWOT analysis were extracted. The quality and risk of bias of included articles were assessed with the JBI Checklist for Expert Opinion; and the PROBAST tool. Results Findings from the study suggest that various AI types were discussed, including machine learning, chatbots, and convolutional neural networks. Several key frameworks for ensuring inclusive AI were reported in the included articles, such as ACCEPT-AI, Bias Mitigation, and human rights values frameworks. However, some articles did not mention specific inclusivity frameworks. Our findings suggest that AI in healthcare has the potential to improve health outcomes but must be implemented inclusively and transparently to avoid exacerbating inequalities. Conclusions This review emphasizes the need for ethical, regulated, and collaborative approaches to mitigate bias, enhance accessibility, and ensure patient-centered solutions. Future efforts should focus on stakeholder-inclusive design and standardized frameworks for equitable AI in healthcare. Registration This literature review was not registered.

Dit boek onderzoekt hoe democratie onder druk komt te staan in hedendaagse samenlevingen. Democratie wordt daarbij niet opgevat als een louter procedureel systeem waarin de meerderheid beslist, maar als een institutionele ordening van macht, conflict en publieke rechtvaardiging. Centraal staat de vraag onder welke voorwaarden democratische systemen nog in staat zijn macht te begrenzen, conflicten vreedzaam te reguleren en de maatschappelijke voorwaarden voor menselijke ontplooiing te beschermen.
De analyse laat zien dat democratie afhankelijk is van meer dan verkiezingen en formele instituties. Zij veronderstelt een gedeelde epistemische infrastructuur, betrouwbare informatie, rechtsstatelijke tegenmacht, sociale erkenning, economische gelijkheid en ecologische houdbaarheid. Juist deze voorwaarden staan onder druk door desinformatie, digitale fragmentatie, economische machtsconcentratie, politieke polarisatie, technocratische besluitvorming, populistische mobilisatie en de spanning tussen korte electorale cycli en langetermijncrises.
Het boek benadert democratie als een meerlagig systeem waarin politieke instituties, kennisstructuren, economische verhoudingen, sociaal-culturele praktijken en ecologische grenzen elkaar wederzijds beïnvloeden. Democratische erosie verschijnt daardoor niet alleen als een formele aantasting van verkiezingen of parlementen, maar ook als een geleidelijke verzwakking van de materiële voorwaarden waaronder burgers betekenisvol kunnen deelnemen aan collectieve besluitvorming.
De kernstelling is dat democratie slechts levensvatbaar blijft wanneer zij haar corrigerend vermogen behoudt: het vermogen om macht te controleren, uitsluiting te voorkomen, kennisclaims te toetsen, conflicten vreedzaam te verwerken en toekomstige generaties mee te wegen. Democratie is daarmee geen statisch bezit, maar een voortdurende institutionele en maatschappelijke opdracht.

Inclusive housing for people with intellectual disabilities has increasingly replaced institutional models in policy discourse. However, less attention has been paid to how housing becomes inclusive in practice and how accessibility principles translate into everyday living environments. This qualitative study explores what makes housing inclusive from a multistakeholder perspective, drawing on five focus groups conducted in Spain with people with intellectual disabilities, family members, professionals, policymakers and community representatives (n = 36). An inductive thematic analysis identified five interrelated environments shaping residential inclusion: physical, social, supportive, community and symbolic. Findings show that inclusive housing cannot be reduced to compliance with architectural standards or smallscale provision. Instead, it emerges from the interaction between accessible and adaptable design, cognitive and sensory accessibility, personalised and flexible support, meaningful social relationships and active connection to the surrounding neighbourhood. Participants emphasised the importance of spatial personalisation, privacy, life-course adaptability and continuity of support as central to experiencing housing as home. At the same time, rigid funding schemes, housing market barriers and gendered inequalities limit real choice and the effective implementation of independent living. The study conceptualises inclusive housing as a lived, relational and place-based process aligned with Design for All principles, linking built environment design, support systems and structural conditions in the production of wellbeing.

To explore the lived experiences and challenges of the mul gravida women with Gesta onal Diabetes Mellitus. METHODOLOGY: Qualita ve research design, with use of Phenomenological Approach was used. Semi-structured interview technique was employed to collect firsthand data from mul gravida, on their experiences and challenges of pregnancy with GDM. A purposive sample of five par cipants were recruited from different hospitals in Lahore, with the age range between 25 to 35 years. A er the collec on of data, the interviews were transcribed and the data was analyzed through interpreta ve phenomenological analysis. RESULTS: This results of the study highlights the mul faceted challenges faced by mul gravida women with GDM, including emo onal and physical burdens, mental health impacts, and difficul es in adhering to dietary and medical recommenda ons. It also sheds light on the coping strategies women adopt and the cri cal role of family and social support systems. Addi onally, regular glucose monitoring and educa on emerged as essen al components for managing GDM and ensuring a healthy pregnancy. Among these, disrupted mental health and the coping of GDM stood out as the most significant. CONCLUSION: These findings underscore a holis c approach in GDM care-one that not only addresses medical management but also priori zes psychological support and leverages social and spiritual resources. By highligh ng these issues the study will be beneficial to raise awareness among women and professionals about the importance of dietary guidance, emo onal well-being, social support and self-management, ul mately contribu ng to improved maternal care and be er fetal health outcomes.

Introduction. Strengthening teacher leadership is vital in achieving Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG-4), which focuses on inclusive and equitable quality education. This study examines how various factors such as principal supervision, learning methods, communication, classroom management, and the school environment influence teacher leadership in learning. Given the complex demands of educational reform and the importance of professional teacher development, this research addresses the need for empirical evidence on how school conditions shape leadership behavior among teachers, especially in non-Java regions of Indonesia. Methods. This research employs a quantitative approach using a structured questionnaire distributed to 108 high school social science teachers in South Kalimantan. The study uses Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) to analyze the causal relationships among independent variables (principal supervision, learning methods, communication, classroom management, and school environment) and the dependent variable (teacher leadership in learning). Instrument validation was conducted through expert judgment and statistical analysis, ensuring construct validity and reliability. Results. The findings indicate that all five factors positively contribute to teacher leadership, with classroom management (path coefficient = 0.28) having the strongest influence, followed by communication (0.20), principal supervision (0.19), school environment (0.19), and learning methods (0.16). The model explains 94% of the variance in teacher leadership, signifying strong explanatory power. Reliability and model fit indices (SRMR = 0.05; NFI = 0.69) confirm the suitability of the proposed model. Practical significance. These results emphasize the importance of a holistic support system in schools, where leadership development is reinforced not only by internal professional practices but also by a conducive environment and managerial support. The insights gained provide important guidance for education policymakers, school leaders, and teacher training institutions in designing interventions that improve leadership effectiveness and overall teaching quality in line with SDG-4.

The urban environment is undergoing transformation in both its physical form and social dynamics due to rapid urban development and demographic change. Focusing on the residential areas of Tirana, this research analyses public spaces to examine perceptions of safety and to explore how they can be readapted to encourage children’s inclusion as rightful users of urban space. The methods employed include structured questionnaires with parents, video recordings from the children’s perspective, open interviews with children, and on-site observations. Applied in two selected case studies, the analysed data reveal the spatial attributes that make public spaces child-friendly and demonstrate how they can be adapted to support children’s development and independent play. The identified attributes are: (a) active edges and visual interaction; (b) visibility and continuity of movement; (c) urban forms with pockets, courtyards, and in-between spaces; (d) integration of parents’ activities with children’s play; and (e) spatial variety and diversity of urban elements. The research argues that urban planning, which considers children’s physical scale, perspective, and creativity, can make public spaces more inclusive for all. Recommendations include interventions related to urban form, material use, and the promotion of mixed-use environments to foster flexible spaces within the shared fabric of community life.

This article presents the development of an extended reality (XR) interactive wall design that employs augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (AR) to display digital content in educational and exhibition settings. A wall design printed with a number of conventional graphical elements was enhanced with AR and VR, including AR-based video, a 360 virtual environment and 3D-scanned materials. The early design of the XR interactive wall was tested several times in a university setting during academic events designed to demonstrate science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM)-based content. This provided AR and VR experiences to participating visitors in an exhibition setting, where multimedia mobile devices were provided to aid these experiences. Inclusive design principles were employed, and elements integrated that allowed users (standing adults, children, wheelchair users) to view and interact with AR and VR content conveniently. After the initial introduction of the in...

Held on February 12, 2026, at the University of Perugia, the conference “Petra and Perugia, Kerak and Amman: The Complex Network of International Relations in Heritage Care and Restoration” brought together scholars, institutional representatives, engineers, and heritage professionals from across Jordan and Italy to discuss contemporary challenges in cultural heritage conservation and restoration. The event promoted an international dialogue on archaeological preservation, structural research, restoration practices, and the management of World Heritage Sites, with particular attention to the experiences of Petra, Kerak, and Amman.

The participation of colleagues and experts from universities, municipalities, professional associations, and heritage authorities throughout Jordan enriched the conference with diverse perspectives and strengthened the collaborative relationship between Italian and Jordanian institutions. Through the exchange of scientific knowledge and professional experience, the initiative highlighted the importance of international cooperation in developing sustainable and interdisciplinary approaches to the protection of cultural heritage.

This study explores the relationship between Gestalt principles and environmental behavior in interior design, focusing on how spatial perception influences user interaction and emotional response. While Gestalt principles, such as figure-ground, proximity, similarity, continuity, and focal points, are widely applied in design, their direct impact on human behavior in interior spaces remains underexplored. This study explores the relationship between Gestalt principles and environmental behavior in interior design, focusing on how spatial perception influences user interaction and emotional response. While Gestalt principles, such as figure-ground, proximity, similarity, continuity, and focal points, are widely applied in design, their direct impact on human behavior in interior spaces remains underexplored. This research aims to bridge this gap by investigating how interior designers incorporate Gestalt principles into spatial organization, lighting composition, and visual hierarchy, and how users perceive, navigate, and emotionally respond to these design features within real-world settings, such as hotels, museums, and exhibition halls. A qualitative research design was employed, involving 10 non-participant observation sessions (each lasting approximately 90–120 minutes) across diverse interior environments, including hotel lobbies, museums, art galleries, retail stores, offices, shopping malls, resort receptions, exhibition pavilions, and public libraries. These observations were complemented by semi-structured interviews with six interior designers and four users, enabling triangulation of tangible (observed spatial behaviors) and intangible (reported perceptions and emotions) dimensions of spatial experience. Thematic analysis was conducted to identify patterns in spatial perception, navigation, and emotional response. Data were coded and categorized into key themes to provide insights into the alignment between design intent and user experience. The results indicate that Gestalt principles significantly influence spatial navigation, emotional comfort, and cognitive engagement. Users subconsciously follow visual cues, while designers strategically implement Gestalt principles to create intuitive environments. However, discrepancies emerged between designer intentions and user interpretations, highlighting the role of personal and cultural factors in spatial perception. This study contributes to interior design theory by providing empirical insights into the application of Gestalt principles. The findings offer practical recommendations for architects and designers to enhance user experience through strategic spatial design.

Dit boek onderzoekt waarom maatschappelijke onzekerheid in hedendaagse democratieën soms wordt omgezet in steun voor radicaal-rechts en extreemrechts populisme. De centrale these is dat dergelijke politiek voor sommige kiezers functioneert als een aanbod van identiteitsherstel door uitsluiting: gevoelens van verlies, vernedering, bestaansonzekerheid en statusdreiging worden vertaald in een verhaal waarin de eigen groep verschijnt als miskend en bedreigd, terwijl minderheden, migranten, vluchtelingen, moslims, lhbtiq+-personen en elites worden geconstrueerd als oorzaak van maatschappelijk verval.
De analyse combineert inzichten uit sociale psychologie, politicologie, sociologie, communicatiewetenschap en institutionele theorie. Begrippen als relatieve deprivatie, statusdreiging, sociale identiteit, collective narcissism, autoritarisme, sociale-dominantieoriëntatie en scapegoating worden gebruikt om te verklaren hoe onvrede politiek kan worden georganiseerd rond vijandbeelden. De Nederlandse context — met woningnood, bestaansonzekerheid, migratieframes en politiek wantrouwen — fungeert als empirische concretisering van deze bredere dynamiek .
Het boek betoogt dat extreemrechts populisme niet uitsluitend moet worden begrepen als protest tegen beleid, maar ook als een affectieve en narratieve infrastructuur: het biedt mensen betekenis, erkenning en symbolische eigenwaarde door anderen lager te plaatsen of buiten de morele gemeenschap te duwen. Tegelijk wordt benadrukt dat niet alle kiezers op radicaal-rechtse partijen dezelfde motieven hebben en dat zorgen over migratie, wonen of veiligheid niet automatisch onrechtmatig zijn. De kernvraag is wanneer legitieme onzekerheid wordt omgezet in uitsluitende identiteit.
Normatief verdedigt het boek de stelling dat de waardigheid van de één nooit mag worden opgebouwd op de vernedering van de ander. Een democratisch antwoord op extreemrechts vereist daarom meer dan morele veroordeling: het vraagt om bestaanszekerheid, sociale woningbouw, sterke publieke voorzieningen, antidiscriminatiebeleid, betrouwbare media, democratische participatie en instituties die burgers daadwerkelijk erkennen. Alleen een samenleving die mensen veiligheid, erkenning en toekomstperspectief biedt zonder nulsomdenken, kan weerstand bieden aan de verleiding van eigenwaarde door uitsluiting.

Despite advancements in accessibility for public spaces and digital environments, complex visual media, such as photography, still remain largely inaccessible to visually impaired individuals. This dissertation investigates how photography can be made more accessible through the use of extended textual descriptions (ETID) by employing an interdisciplinary approach rooted in semiotics and intersemiotic translation. By analyzing photographs from this perspective, the study explores how visual meaning is constructed and how it can be rearticulated into verbal narratives that preserve symbolic and connotative meaning. The research focuses on a corpus of war photographs that have attained iconic status through historical and cultural processes and applies intersemiotic translation to create detailed textual descriptions. Through case studies, the study demonstrates how these descriptions render visual meaning accessible while preserving layers of symbolism and historical context. The methodology integrates semiotic analysis, translation theory, and practical case studies to ensure both theoretical thoroughness and real-world applicability. The final discussion considers the ethical and communicative implications of translating visual content for visually impaired persons. It argues the importance of developing inclusive, human-centered strategies that integrate artificial intelligence with theoretical and ethical sensitivity. This work contributes to ongoing conversations about accessibility as both a technical challenge and a cultural responsibility.

The eunuch communities of South Asia, also referred to as Hijras in India and Pakistan constitute one of the most systematically marginalized groups in the world, with a high rate of discrimination being practiced against them in the educational, employment, and social realms. This review is a broad overview of how inclusive education, together with vocational training and policy reform, can be a revolutionary tool to empower eunuchs. Based on the research conducted between 2015 and 2025, the paper summarizes the evidence that a holistic approach to the educational access, development of vocational skills, enforcement of the policy, and community involvement can help to eliminate social exclusion and increase economic opportunities to a significant degree. The core discoveries indicate that there is quite a significant difference between the legislative safeguards and reality, as the stigma, insufficient funding, and the lack of enforcement continue to deter the effectiveness of the policy. The review determines key empowerment barriers on an individual, institutional, and systemic level and suggests evidence-based interventions of the barriers. The conclusion underlines that transformative eunuch empowerment can only be achieved through institutional reform and investment of resources, cultural transformation, and real involvement of communities.

Humans take for granted of board games without realizing that they could nurture higher order thinking skills (HOTs). Not being able to see, or being blind and visually impaired, would unintentionally discriminate the opportunity to cultivate HOTs through board games. The question in mind is how to give the same opportunity of developing HOTs to the blind and visually impaired through a game only the sighted can play. With the mission to make the board game “visible” to the blind people, B-Goolee is developed. This study went through multiple cycles of designing, developing, integrating, and testing all elements necessary to make B-Goolee an assistive educational game technology. The context consists of the board with sensors, the 3D printed game pieces, the mobile device with installed AppsGoolee connected to the board with Bluetooth technology, and the manual book printed in Braille. With this ecosystem, the blind and visually impaired individuals could enjoy the game while challenging their cognitive skills, and the tests results have proven it. The actual performance metrics from the user evaluation results quantifies the major findings from this board game usage and usability to the users. This contributes to the assistive technology that leads to the educational outcomes for the blind and visually impaired individuals.

Humans take for granted of board games without realizing that they could nurture higher order thinking skills (HOTs). Not being able to see, or being blind and visually impaired, would unintentionally discriminate the opportunity to cultivate HOTs through board games. The question in mind is how to give the same opportunity of developing HOTs to the blind and visually impaired through a game only the sighted can play. With the mission to make the board game "visible" to the blind people, B-Goolee is developed. This study went through multiple cycles of designing, developing, integrating, and testing all elements necessary to make B-Goolee an assistive educational game technology. The context consists of the board with sensors, the 3D printed game pieces, the mobile device with installed AppsGoolee connected to the board with Bluetooth technology, and the manual book printed in Braille. With this ecosystem, the blind and visually impaired individuals could enjoy the game while challenging their cognitive skills, and the tests results have proven it. The actual performance metrics from the user evaluation results quantifies the major findings from this board game usage and usability to the users. This contributes to the assistive technology that leads to the educational outcomes for the blind and visually impaired individuals.

The primary objective of this research was to investigate AI-based instructional assessment for children with multiple disabilities, focusing particularly on current methods, developing trends and future possibilities. The research method was a quantitative descriptive survey approach through which data were collected from 350 special education teachers working in special and inclusive educational settings. A self-prepared questionnaire containing demographic variables and 40 structured items was the instrument for data collection. The tool was reviewed by experts and showed excellent reliability. Results showed that teachers thought positively about the benefits and future capabilities of AI educational assessment, however current use was at a moderate level. The study also revealed that training, academic qualification, and teaching experience were bases for significant differences, while limited differences appeared for some other demographic variables. AI-based assessment can facilitate individual, inclusive, and efficient evaluation for children with multiple disabilities, the study stated. It advised teacher training, the creation of AI instruments that are specialized, and a robust policy framework as a way forward to implementation effectiveness.

Se propone una ruta práctica, orientativa y no lineal, para que los equipos de enfermería del Sistema Nacional de Salud transformen las necesidades clínicas en productos sanitarios transferibles, integrando los principios de investigación e innovación responsables (anticipación, reflexividad, inclusión y capacidad de respuesta) y los requisitos del Reglamento (UE) 2017/745 y las normas asociadas (gestión del riesgo y usabilidad). La ruta articula la definición del uso real, la revisión de la evidencia y el paisaje tecnológico, el prototipado y la cocreación, el encaje regulatorio, la estrategia de protección y transferencia, y la evaluación proporcional (usabilidad formativa/sumativa y evidencia clínica). Como demostrador se presenta ERGOMIC, un dispositivo no invasivo para la micción en mujeres en decúbito supino, que aborda una brecha de diseño con dimensión de equidad de género, plan de usabilidad y análisis de ciclo de vida. Esta aproximación facilita soluciones seguras, aceptables y adoptables.

This paper presents the design and development of a non-auditory, cost-effective, baby monitoring system specifically tailored for hearing-impaired parents. Conventional audio-based baby monitors are inept for the hearing impaired community, creating a significant gap in childcare accessibility whereby necessitating alternative notification or alert mechanisms. This research presents a multimodal monitoring system employing visual, haptic and mobile alerts to address this accessibility gap. This system uses ESP 32 microcontrollers with advanced sound detection algorithms to identify baby cries and deliver real-time notification through multiple channels. Thorough evaluation with 150 trials per condition across varied acoustic environments demonstrated 96% detection accuracy in typical home settings with 98ms response time. User studies with 18 hearing-impaired parents validated system effectiveness, achieving 4.7/5.0 satisfaction scores and significant improvements in sleep quality and parental confidence. The low-cost design ($47 component cost) offers 38-hour battery life with both connected and offline operation modes. The complete system is released as open-source to enable community adoption and customization for broader accessibility impact. This research contributes to assistive technology development and in addition, provides a foundation for improving childcare accessibility for the hearing-impaired community.

This study identifies the coexisting spaces of the migrant and local elderly in three community parks in Shanghai and achieves spatial inclusiveness grading based on the proportion of the migrant elderly in these spaces. By using the image recognition method in smart landscapes, landscape elements and spatial interfaces of the coexisting spaces were identified and analyzed, enabling more scientific and effective spatial characteristic analysis. Further analysis was conducted on the recreational behaviors of both types of elderly in spaces that exclude the migrant elderly and have relatively poor and poor inclusiveness levels, summarizing the inclusivity issues as: 1) landscape elements and spatial interfaces do not meet the recreational needs of the migrant elderly, 2) conflicts in recreational behavior between the migrant elderly and the local elderly, and 3) cultural inclusiveness issues. Targeted inclusive design approaches of the smart landscape were proposed, including the application of intelligent sensing technology, human-computer interaction technology, multidimensional experiences, and multimedia displays. This study provides new insights into spatial characteristic analysis through interdisciplinary methods. By analyzing the spatiotemporal distribution characteristics of both types of elderly, a new method for spatial inclusiveness grading is provided. By comparatively analyzing the recreational behaviors of both types of elderly and spatial characteristics, the inclusivity issues of spaces are examined. The research provides theoretical and practical references to meet the recreational needs of the migrant elderly, promote the construction of age-friendly community parks, and develop smart and inclusive designs.

AI-driven educational technologies are expanding rapidly, yet their design rarely reflects the linguistic and infrastructural realities of Deaf learners in low-resource contexts. This qualitative study investigates how teachers, parents, and Deaf students in Bangladesh navigate fragile visual access, inconsistent Bangla Sign Language, and unreliable technology in everyday learning. Through interviews and focus groups with 13 teachers, eight parents, and five Deaf students, we show how small disruptions in sightlines, pacing, or sign clarity can quickly collapse comprehension, making accessibility a condition that must be constantly protected. We identify opportunities for AI to act as access support by stabilizing visual information, ensuring teacher-validated Bangla Sign Language, enabling offline use, and protecting emotional safety when seeking help. We contribute a model of learning continuity that explains how visual, linguistic, and affective stability interact in Deaf education and offer concrete design directions for AI-driven learning tools in the Global South. CCS Concepts • Human-centered computing → Empirical studies in HCI; User studies.

Visually impaired human beings face many demanding situations of their day by day lives. As conscientious members of society, it is our solemn duty to assist them in leading lives akin to ours, harnessing the potential of cuttingedge technologies such as AI-driven Computer Vision. To address this, we present an ingenious solution: AIoT-powered smart specs. These remarkable spectacles are designed to illuminate the lives of the visually impaired by harnessing their heightened perceptual capabilities to gather information from their surroundings. This Artificial Intelligence of Things (AIoT)enabled smart specs possesses the remarkable ability to perform real-time currency recognition, character detection, object identification etc. The smart glass includes integrated cameras and sensors to capture text, images, and frames. The result is generated in vocal form, leveraging the sophisticated operations of Convolution and Recurrent Neural Networks.

To evaluate current barriers to Sunflower adoption in elite professional and academic environments and propose a transformative, merit-based framework titled "The Brotherhood." Overview of Current Challenges While the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower scheme has seen significant adoption, its implementation in elite Higher Education (HE) and professional spheres faces systemic friction. These environments are often governed by neoliberal "human capital" discourses that value absolute autonomy and selfsufficiency, positioning disability as the "fundamental antithesis" of excellence. The report identifies several critical barriers: • The Excellence/Disability Binary: In high-status circles, any public signal of impairment is often perceived as an admission of professional inadequacy.

This paper examines how Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Big Data can advance the conceptualization and assessment of street livability. Drawing on a theoretical and integrative review of recent urban analytics, it synthesizes how machine learning, computer vision, and natural language processing applied to mobility data, environmental sensors, and user-generated digital traces to provide new insights into pedestrian behavior, environmental quality, socio-spatial dynamics, and public perception. The paper proposes a conceptual framework linking AI data with established livability dimensions, highlighting implications for design and policy. The review further addresses ethical considerations, including algorithmic bias, data governance, and representational equity. The study contributes to ongoing debates on digitally informed urbanism by offering a structured foundation for future empirical applications and policy development.

Voodoo arts and cultures occupy a prominent position in Benin's cultural heritage. Recurrent in the customs and lifestyle of the populations of the Adja Tado and Yoruba cultures, they are part of their collective philosophy. However, they continue to be stereotyped and prejudged in these socio-cultural environments where living together and the clash of religions are still relevant. What meaning do the representations of the populations of the Zou department (southern Benin) take on with respect to Voodoo arts and cultures? How can we analyze from a semiotic perspective the prejudices daily made on Voodoo arts and cultures? This descriptive, analytical and suggestive study is a modest contribution to the debate on the semiotics of cultures in Africa and to cultural communication. It aims to evaluate the representations of the populations of the department of Zou on Voodoo arts and cultures in order to remove the ambiguity on the importance of this cultural heritage in the development of Benin. The research methodology encapsulates the combination of qualitative and quantitative research approaches, as well as documentary research. Semiotic theories and those of cultural communication are deployed to achieve that objective.

Hand gesture recognition plays a vital role in bridging communication gaps for individuals with hearing impairments. This abstract explores the application of computer vision and machine learning techniques to give sign language gestures. By analyzing and classifying the intricate movements of hand and finger configurations, these systems facilitate real-time translation of sign language into text or speech. The potential impact on accessibility and inclusivity is substantial, empowering the deaf and hard-ofhearing community to communicate effortlessly with the broader society. This abstract encapsulates the significance of hand gesture recognition in breaking down linguistic barriers and fostering a more inclusive world.

Retail environments are increasingly discussed within social sustainability frameworks, yet the in-store experiences of families with children remain underexamined in empirical retail design research. This study investigates how families with children experience department store interiors from an inclusive design perspective. A cross-sectional mixed-methods survey was conducted with 100 parents who had previously visited a department store with their child. The survey questionnaire generated both quantitative and qualitative data through 15 closed-ended Likert-type items and open-ended written responses. The findings indicate that family-inclusive retail experience should be understood as a multidimensional phenomenon shaped by accessibility and perceptibility; physical circulation and access comfort; auditory and sensory comfort; and visual perception and lighting. Across the results, physical circulation emerged as the most persistent friction domain, especially in relation to stroller maneuverability, waiting areas, and resting provision. Qualitative responses reinforced this pattern, highlighting congestion, circulation bottlenecks, sensory overload, and wayfinding difficulty. Overall, this study reframes family retail experience through the concept of spatial friction and proposes an exploratory framework for experiential inclusivity in department store interiors aligned with social sustainability objectives.

The field of assessment has been in turmoil for some time now (ORES, 2025), and well before the COVID pandemic (Allen et al., 2025), and later the emergence of genAI (Corbin et al., 2025) permanently disrupted the tertiary’s sector feeling of normalcy.  The notion of throw-away assessment, indeed, is less and less palatable to learners and instructors alike (Stancil, 2025). Thirst for assessment that is sustainable, relevant to a broader public, and connected to real-world challenges is palpable in most disciplines (Jhangiani et al., 2025).  This is the contemporary context which frames the presenter’s recent involvement in a UN SDG Open Pedagogy Fellowship.  The session will explore and analyze the presenter’s journey collaborating virtually, transnationally, and inter-disciplinarily with a peer to create an OER assessment framework, aligned with a UN Sustainable Development Goal (UN, 2025). The session will examine the implications of this initiative on the contemporary conceptualization of assessment design – from siloed to connected, from place-based to global, and from course-focused to community woven. 
Allen, R. E., Kannangara, C., Conn, C., Heyworth, B., & Carson, J. (2025). “Everything was up in the air”: a qualitative study exploring the disruption of the covid-19 pandemic for UK university students and post-covid-19 recommendations. Journal of Further and Higher Education, 49(7), 899–918. https://doi.org/10.1080/0309877X.2025.2509576
Corbin, T., Bearman, M., Boud, D., & Dawson, P. (2025). The wicked problem of AI and assessment. Assessment & Evaluation in Higher Education, 1–17. https://doi.org/10.1080/02602938.2025.2553340
Jhangiani, R. S., Pakkal, O., Lalonde, C., & Gray, J. (2025). Leading With Openness: A Report on the Capacity of British Columbia’s Post-Secondary Institutions to Support Open Educational Practices. BCcampus. https://bccampus.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/BC-OER-Report_v3.pdf
Observatoire sur la réussite en enseignement supérieur [ORES] (2025). Assessment in Higher Education: A Measure of Learning or a Selection Process? https://oresquebec.ca/en/grand-angle/levaluation-en-enseignement-superieur-mesure-des-apprentissages-ou-epreuve-de-selection/
Stancil, S., (2025) So, Do Reusable Assignments Really Benefit Students? Journal of Open Educational Resources in Higher Education, 3(1), 62-79. doi: https://doi.org/10.31274/joerhe.17911
United Nations (2025) The 17 Goals. Department of Economic and Social Affairs. https://sdgs.un.org/goals

While there has been growing interest for UDL in the post-secondary sector over the last decade, research also evidences that many instructors quickly reach UDL burn out.  The reasons for this progressive exhaustion are broad and numerous, but at the forefront are preoccupations such as lack of time, resources, comfort level in design thinking, or support in the process of change.  In parallel to this phenomenon, the emergence of gen AI – now that initial concerns about student misuse are being put into perspective - is beginning to trigger a reflection in relation to the way large language models might support the workload of instructors.  Exploring the way gen AI might address faculty fears about UDL implementation, provide assistance in the redesign process, or optimize the impact of instructors’ UDL initiatives therefore becomes immediately appealing and relevant. This session will engage participants in a reflection on the use of gen AI in UDL implementation, from the perspective of faculty.  Findings from a study carried out on a campus in the West of Canada in 2025 will be woven into the interactive session and serve as a backdrop to assist participants in considering implications of this reflection for their own institutional context, and its strategic approaches to UDL implementation.

Generative User Interfaces (GenUI) create a paradigm shift in digital accessibility: Artificial intelligence-based systems reshuffle digital content and interfaces dependent on user input. This change also exposes shortcomings in existing standards and audit based remediation efforts. Important assumptions on content structure predictability, and interface stability have no place in GenUI environments, where accessibility gains cannot be achieved through models based on standards. Existing frameworks have little clinical evidence available to propose a solution for semantic inconsistencies, alternative keyboard navigation, or dynamic color contrast. DynA, The Dynamic Accessibility Framework offered in this research article is a new model for design and development of the digital interface. Accessibility principles are embedded in the generation of information, rather than adding steps of audit, adherence testing, and remediation. By outlining components and mechanisms that contribute to semantic integrity, real-time validation, and unique user accommodation, DynA will allow digital accessibility to evolve as an intelligent vector rather than passive and reactive design process.

This paper presents an intervention in nursing education designed to enhance nursing students’ motivation to participate and acquire transferable knowledge within nursing education. A specific part of the curriculum entitled; Organization, administration and management, is of low immediate interest of the students. The students generally regard this topic as irrelevant for their professional development as nurses. In order to motivate the students a range of different IT based pedagogical designs were implemented with the intent of scaffolding the students’ learning. The study, that this intervention is part of, was designed as a 2-year action research project. A variety of data-sources were utilized to document the process, including students’ and teachers’ experiences as expressed in interviews, observations of teaching and learning related behavior and data logging. This paper focuses on how integrating an IT based design affects the students’ learning processes. The research que...

Aging with Disability (TechSAge; www.techsage.gatech.edu). The contents of this technical report were developed under a grant from the Department of Education. However, those contents do not necessarily represent the policy of the Department of Education, and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government.

Mimarlık; küreselleşme, medya ve marka kültürünün etkisiyle görünürlük ve imaj ekseninde yeniden tanımlanırken, "yıldız mimar" figürü kentlerin rekabetçi yüzünde belirleyici bir rol üstlendi. İkonik yapılar yalnızca mimari nesneler değil, aynı zamanda ekonomik kalkınma, turizm ve marka değeri üretmenin araçları hâline geldi. Ancak bu görünürlük odaklı üretim, beraberinde önemli soruları da getirdi: Kentte üretilen mekânlar gerçekten kimin için tasarlanıyor ve yapılar toplumsal ihtiyaçlara ne ölçüde cevap verebiliyor?

Há uma diferença fundamental entre construir e intervir. Construir é começar do zero, terreno limpo, ideias livres, obra sem memória. Reabilitar é o oposto: é entrar num organismo vivo. Há paredes, sim, mas também há rotinas, histórias, horários, cheiros de comida, crianças a fazer trabalhos de casa, alguém a descansar depois de um turno longo. E, no entanto, ainda há quem trate reabilitação como se fosse demolição disfarçada. "Rasaque não aprendeu!" Entrou na obra com pressa, com martelo na mão e cronograma na cabeça. Resultado? Partiu tudo. Cozinha inutilizada, casa de banho fora de serviço, quartos transformados em depósito de entulho. E lá dentro… pessoas. A viver. A tentar adaptar-se ao caos que nunca lhes foi devidamente explicado. Isto não é só um erro técnico, é um erro de base, de postura. Reabilitação com ocupação exige estratégia. Exige faseamento. Exige respeito. Não se pode simplesmente desligar a água de uma casa inteira sem garantir alternativa. Não se pode remover todas as instalações sanitárias ao mesmo tempo. Não se pode comprometer a habitabilidade total de um espaço que continua… habitado. É básico. Mas aparentemente, ainda precisa ser dito. Há uma lógica antiga, e eficaz, que muitos querem ignorar: intervir por zonas.

The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in early childhood education (ECE) has gained global attention for its potential to enhance personalized learning and inclusivity. However, challenges such as teacher preparedness, infrastructure limitations, and ethical concerns hinder its effective implementation, particularly in developing contexts. This study explores the perceptions of educators regarding AI-driven curriculum development in ECE, identifies challenges and opportunities, and assesses the effectiveness of AI-based learning models. A qualitative research approach was used, involving semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions with 20 educators from two districts of Lahore, Pakistan. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis. Findings indicate that AI enhances engagement, supports personalized learning, and benefits children with special needs. However, infrastructure gaps and lack of teacher training remain major barriers. The study recommends capacity-building programs for educators, policy frameworks for ethical AI adoption, and investment in digital infrastructure to ensure equitable access to AI-driven education.

Cities are complex systems that demand integrated approaches, with increasing attention focused on the neighborhood level. This study examines the interplay between expert-based mapping and citizen science in the Primer de Maig neighborhood of Granollers, Catalonia, Spain-an area marked by poor-quality public spaces and long-standing socioeconomic challenges. Seventy-two residents were organized into 19 groups to record their pedestrian mobility while engaging in protocolized playful social actions. Their GPS identified opportunity units for meaningful public space activation. Although 56% of observed actions occurred within expert-defined units, the remaining 44% took place elsewhere. Clustering analysis of geo-located action stops revealed seven distinct clusters, highlighting overlooked areas with significant social potential. These findings underscore the complementarity of top-down and bottom-up approaches, demonstrating

Pedestrian geolocated data are key to a better understanding of micro-mobility within a neighbourhood. these data can bring new insights into walkability and livability in the context of urban sustainability. However, pedestrian open data are scarce and often lack a context for their transformation into actionable knowledge in a neighbourhood. Citizen science and public involvement practices are powerful instruments for obtaining these data and take a community-centred placemaking approach. The study shares some 3 000 geolocated records corresponding to 19 unique trajectories made and recorded by groups of participants from three distinct communities (72 participants and 19 groups) in a relatively small neighbourhood. the groups explored the neighbourhood through a number of actions and chose different places to stop and perform various social and festive activities. The study shares not only raw data but also processed records with specific filtering and processing to facilitate and accelerate data usage. Citizen science practices and the data-collection protocols involved are reported in order to offer a complete perspective of the research undertaken jointly with an assessment of how community-centred placemaking and operative mapping are incorporated into local urban transformation actions.

Building alliances with industrial designers offers health innovators a unique pathway to create new modes to serve their patients. Cross-pollination of ideas from the earliest stages of development in interdisciplinary research and development teams including major stakeholders and designers can lead to more meaningful and impactful innovations. A shift in future healthcare from cure to prevention will rely more heavily upon the individual. The home environment will house consumer medical devices that will carry out basic monitoring of the individual. While technologies are currently being developed to support this trend, there is a gulf that exists between the often-complex interfaces required by the highly specific functionality of products and the emotional needs of the target user. If a target user 'feels' a product was designed 'just for them' they are more likely to develop an emotional bond with that product. This manifests itself in the user engaging and interacting with the product. If a product, regardless of its high functionality, does not resonate with the user, this tends to result in product underuse, misuse and possible abandonment. When those products are related to a course of medical rehabilitation or treatment, these results could be translated to 'more compliant' and 'less compliant' and ultimately can impact upon how a person heals. Industrial designers focus on ensuring that both the functional and emotional needs of mainstream users as well as technical-expert-users are met. Design research provides the opportunity to bridge the gap between the functional requirements and the less tangible unmet needs of the user by exploring authentic human behaviour. This paper presents case studies of collaborative, interdisciplinary teams employing human-centred design and empathic research strategies (incorporating shared language, collaboration, ethnography, empathy and empathic modelling) to create real solutions that are responding to real needs of real users. The future is interdisciplinary. The future is bright.

This paper discusses a multi-methodological approach to integrating the voice and experience of our diverse population (e.g. people with disabilities) into Industrial Design curricula. There is much to gain for all concerned by design students developing deeper insights and understanding of potential users, especially when we consider the shift in demographics (e.g. people are living longer, increase in population with disabilities). The role of the designer has changed, from the purveyor of taste, to one where gaining an empathic understanding of authentic human needs is critical. Empathy helps to ensure more effective design outcomes. Within the classroom we are integrating diverse voices into the designing process, by providing an interdisciplinary environment, which is also supported by empathic design research strategies ('Disability + Relevant Design' course). Outcomes of this new course have led to a major design award and have been exhibited at the Smithsonian Institution's Folklife Festival in 2012 at the Mall in Washington, D.C. The authors will present a number of case studies, including course content, exhibition, design awards, and teaching aids, in order to promote this activity amongst the design community.

Building alliances with industrial designers offers health innovators a unique pathway to create new modes to serve their patients. Cross-pollination of ideas from the earliest stages of development in interdisciplinary research and development teams including major stakeholders and designers can lead to more meaningful and impactful innovations.A shift in future healthcare from cure to prevention will rely more heavily upon the individual. The home environment will house consumer medical devices that will carry out basic monitoring of the individual. While technologies are currently being developed to support this trend, there is a gulf that exists between the often-complex interfaces required by the highly specific functionality of products and the emotional needs of the target user. If a target user 'feels' a product was designed 'just for them' they are more likely to develop an emotional bond with that product. This manifests itself in the user engaging and inte...

Background The material landscape we construct within our personal lives and inherit in public environments has significant impact upon our daily experiences. They affect our productivity, our feeling of wellbeing, and sense of being socially connected. Products that provide a positive userexperience can empower people and contribute to a healthful environment. Products that do not meet the product user’s functional or emotional needs can cause a person’s sense of independence to be eroded. Method The authors have developed an empathic design research strategy that builds on the capitals (e.g., background, physical abilities, and education) of the individual and the designer, to ensure that more intuitive design outcomes are generated which meet real needs, rather than assumed needs. Acknowledging that all people have an empathic horizon (a boundary to their knowledge, experience, and awareness), further learning can take place by the designer in direct consultation and collaboratio...

The material landscape we construct within our personal lives and inherit in public environments has significant impact upon our daily experiences. They affect our productivity, our feeling of wellbeing, and sense of being socially connected. Products that provide a positive userexperience can empower people and contribute to a healthful environment. Products that do not meet the product user's functional or emotional needs can cause a person's sense of independence to be eroded. The authors have developed an empathic design research strategy that builds on the capitals (e.g., background, physical abilities, and education) of the individual and the designer, to ensure that more intuitive design outcomes are generated which meet real needs, rather than assumed needs. Acknowledging that all people have an empathic horizon (a boundary to their knowledge, experience, and awareness), further learning can take place by the designer in direct consultation and collaboration with the users. Well-designed products that are intuitive to use contribute to a person's quality of life and independence. The possessions surrounding us can generate a sense of balance, harmony, and wellbeing. The number of possessions we own is not critical, but their usefulness and meaning to us is. As we age and develop disabilities, being able to live independently lives becomes increasingly important. Designers are developing ways in which to bridge the divide that exists between lived experiences, user needs, and existing products that fail to satisfy the user.

A multidisciplinary research and innovation project exploring the integration of luminous braille into intelligent textile systems, combining assistive technology, wearable engineering and human-centered design to enhance safety, visibility and interaction in real-world environments.