Inclusion Statement
We want everyone to take a universal design approach to their projects, policies, services and communications because want everyone to feel included.
What is universal design?
Everything should be designed so that as many people as possible can use it. It means the design is inclusive, healthy and safe for everyone.
Designers have to carefully think about all the different people in our communities when they are designing. Involving lots of different people to help with the design is a good way of getting it right.
Universal design isn’t always perfect but it’s the best that can be done at the time. It builds on the learning of past designs and improves on future designs.
What universal design is not
Universal design is not the same thing as access standards.
It is not a special design for a few people.
It is not “disabled design” or one-size fits all.
It is not ugly design.
What does it cover?
All projects, services, policies, websites and communications. It’s called taking a universal design approach and it is best done at the beginning of any project when users can be involved in the design process.
Government policies and laws
Each state and territory has polices that include universal design. They also have laws about discrimination. This can be age, disability, gender, race or religion. A universal design approach makes sure designs don’t discriminate against anyone
Centre for Universal Design Australia
Language
How we use language
At Open Canopy we are passionate about communicating in an open, considerate, clear and useful manner. We wish to use written language in all our communications that is consistently respectful of everyone.
To do this, we’ve chosen to use the preferred language for disability in accordance with the UN Guidelines (UN Disability Inclusive Language Guidelines). This can be difficult at times, as language regarding disability varies throughout the community and is constantly evolving.
Words matter
It is important to consider appropriate language when talking to or about people with different lived experiences of disability. This can be difficult as there is not an agreed “correct way” to talk about disability. We know people make different language choices based on their culture or community, and even people with similar support needs or diagnoses don’t always agree about how to use language.