The Italian Cultural Institute of Chicago, in collaboration with Design Museum Chicago, presents an intensive participatory lecture led by the collective Design For All Italia, presenting their design practice in relation to inclusion and diversity. DFA promotes a design for all people, a practice that is inclusive and holistic, and which values individuality, considering human diversity as part of the design process.

The day will provide theoretical and practical content leading to the full and proper awareness of human diversity in today's society according to the Design for All principles and approach. It will provide the tools and methods for the practical application of assessments, needs analysis, construction of design requirements, and finally designing solutions for accessibility, social inclusion and equality.

The lecture aims to offer an up-grade in knowledge about human desires that are not always made explicit, adapted to the multiplicity of needs of a vast and articulated community. Moving beyond the idea of "people with disabilities" to a design awareness that considers the population articulated by multiple identities, needs and aspirations, whether emotional or physical.

Program

1. Design for All - A Strategic Approach 

Conversation on Design and its role in enabling social inclusion, equity and accessibility of everyday experiences for people with disabilities as well. Insights into the creative and ethical challenge designers face in their critical responsibility to design for human diversity. In recent years it has become a topic of increasing relevance and shows competitive advantages to those who adopt its principles and process. 

2. Design for All - The Process for Innovation 

Design for All (DfA) is an approach that works on innovation because it requires designers to consider a wide range of needs and create innovative solutions that can meet those needs. The process that will be presented is the tool that designers need to use in collaboration with a wide range of stakeholders, including disability experts, health professionals, end users, and more, to develop products and services that are truly useful and meet the needs of the real individual. 

3. Design for All Italia Association - Training, activities and case histories 

The presentation of the Association's activities, ranging from training to research and consulting activities, is an opportunity to see the principles of DfA applied through significant experiences and projects. The reconstruction of the motivations behind the solutions adopted in product and environment projects give the opportunity to fully understand the approach to design from a DfA perspective. 

The event is free. Registration is required. Refreshments will be provided to participants.

This program is part of Chi Siamo: (Re)presenting Italian Culture, the theme selected for 2023 by the Italian Cultural Institute of Chicago. This year-long series will explore the topics of representation and inclusion in Italian arts, with a specific focus on cross-cultural contamination in contemporary and modern Italy.