Inclusive Co-Design

A design methodology that ensures people from typically marginalized groups, including people with intellectual disabilities, are meaningfully included throughout the technology design process as equals rather than subjects. Inclusive co-design adapts traditional participatory methods to accommodate diverse communication styles, cognitive abilities, and support needs—for example, using contextual interviews with prototypes rather than abstract discussions, working in small groups of 2-4 people, providing easy-read materials, and integrating with existing support structures. The approach recognizes that participants build expertise over time through repeated engagement across projects.