Inclusivity
Design to Belong
Inclusivity
Recognizing people is the first step to access.
Equity not Equality
Inclusive design is not about one solution for all, but about offering different ways to navigate based on individual needs, abilities, and experiences. Designing for equity means asking what support each person needs to access spaces with the same level of clarity, comfort, and independence. It also means challenging assumptions about who design typically serves.
Representation
Wayfinding communicates who a space is for. Inclusive systems reflect cultural, linguistic, and social diversity through elements like multilingual signage, universal icons, and collaborative, community-informed design. These choices help make public spaces more familiar, welcoming, and accessible.
Participatory Design
Inclusion is not static. It’s a process shaped by listening, reflection, and adaptation. Inclusive wayfinding improves when people with varied identities and lived experiences help inform the system. Collaborating with clients and communities helps surface needs that might otherwise go unseen.
Accessibility Certification
Our team includes staff accredited through the Rick Hansen Foundation Accessibility Certification (RHFAC).
As part of our commitment to accessible design, Rick Hansen brings a nationally recognized, outcome-focused lens to the design process, allowing us to identify barriers and recommend practical improvements based on measurable outcomes. Following Rick Hansen Foundation and CSA guidance, we apply best practices in contrast, legibility, typography, and placement to ensure information is visible, readable, and well-timed. We use plain language and progressive disclosure to break decisions into manageable steps and reduce cognitive load. We also recognize that lived experience offers perspectives no guideline can replicate. That’s why we engage accessibility consultants with firsthand knowledge of the barriers people face. Their input helps us see what we might miss, ensuring that our work is grounded not just in standards, but in real, human experience.
