Method
Critical User Forums
Workshops, forums and design session involving direct interaction between design teams and a mixed group of users with severe disabilities. Typical forums consist of roughly 4 - 7 people with different disabilities. Over the course of the session a range of scenarios are explored to assist with the design and development of the artwork, product and/or output.
Step by step
- Recognise exclusion (who are excluded, and why)
- Identify critical users you intend to reach to gain insights for inclusion and innovation
- Hosting a forum with key critical users. In these sessions you'll co-create solutions to improve inclusivity (e.g. a participatory process, and a more inclusive intervention)
- Reflection (e.g. on the early decision, the process, and the outcome, what can be learned, and what can be improved)
- Revise, re-engage, and re-centre those previously excluded.
What you need
Understanding of who 'critical users' might be and how best to work with them.
Challenges of this method
- Difficulties in identifying critical users
- Lack of time and space given to reflection
Reports and publications
Dong, H., & Cassim, J. (2007). Critical User Forums for Inclusive Design. Ergonomics in Design, 15(4), 4-30. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1518/106480407X255233
Category
Inclusive Design