15. Ensuring Accessibility through an Inclusive Lens
15. Garantire l’accessibilità in chiave inclusiva
Packaging facilitates autonomous access to the product by individuals with disabilities or specific needs, according to an inclusive perspective
L’imballaggio facilita l’accesso autonomo al prodotto da parte di persone con disabilità o esigenze specifiche secondo una prospettiva inclusiva
Bibliografia
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Descrizione
Accessibility in packaging is an urgent and essential challenge for truly inclusive design. According to the World Health Organization, more than 16% of the world 's population (1 in 6 people) lives with a disability.
In addition, an ageing population and the increasing number of people experiencing temporary or permanent disabilities (e.g. visual or cognitive impairments) make it increasingly necessary to design packaging that is understandable and usable by everyone.
Industry research, such as that of GS1 and Design Council UK, confirms that improving packaging accessibility benefits not only people with disabilities, but improves the user experience for everyone, strengthening customer satisfaction and brand reputation.
In addition, an ageing population and the increasing number of people experiencing temporary or permanent disabilities (e.g. visual or cognitive impairments) make it increasingly necessary to design packaging that is understandable and usable by everyone.
Industry research, such as that of GS1 and Design Council UK, confirms that improving packaging accessibility benefits not only people with disabilities, but improves the user experience for everyone, strengthening customer satisfaction and brand reputation.
Descrizione
L’accessibilità nel packaging è una sfida urgente ed essenziale per un design realmente inclusivo. Secondo l’World Health Organization, oltre il 16% della popolazione mondiale (1 persona su 6) vive con una disabilità. Inoltre, l’invecchiamento della popolazione e l’aumento del numero di persone che sperimentano disabilità temporanee o permanenti (ad es. deficit visivi o cognitivi) rendono sempre più necessario progettare imballaggi comprensibili e utilizzabili da tutti.
Ricerche di settore, come quelle di GS1 e Design Council, confermano che migliorare l’accessibilità del packaging non avvantaggia solo le persone con disabilità, ma migliora l’esperienza d’uso per tutti, rafforzando la soddisfazione dei clienti e la reputazione del marchio.
Obiettivi
- Ensure autonomous access to products for users with disabilities or special needs
- Eliminate physical, visual or informational barriers to opening, reading or using packaging
- Promoting inclusion through universal design and multi-sensory solutions
- Improve the overall usability of packaging for all users
Obiettivi
- Garantire l’accesso autonomo ai prodotti per utenti con disabilità o esigenze speciali
- Eliminare le barriere fisiche, visive o informative nell’apertura, nella lettura o nell’uso dell’imballaggio
- Promuovere l’inclusione attraverso il design universale e soluzioni multisensoriali
- Migliorare l’usabilità complessiva dell’imballaggio per tutti gli utenti
Operational
1. Improve packaging handling
Design easy-to-open closures without excessive force, complex twisting, or external tools. Include ergonomic shapes and non-slip handles for those with weak or reduced manual mobilityAvoid materials and closures that are too rigid or slippery
Design easy-to-open closures without excessive force, complex twisting, or external tools. Include ergonomic shapes and non-slip handles for those with weak or reduced manual mobilityAvoid materials and closures that are too rigid or slippery
2. Make information clear and accessible
Use high-readability typography: appropriate color contrast , silk-free font, minimum size 12pt Add clear pictograms and visual instructions Offer audio or video content accessible via QR codes, NFC tags, or other digital tools
Use high-readability typography: appropriate color contrast , silk-free font, minimum size 12pt Add clear pictograms and visual instructions Offer audio or video content accessible via QR codes, NFC tags, or other digital tools
3. Integrate multi-sensory languages
Use raised textures, touch surfaces and embossed symbols for identification by touch Incorporate audio or visual cues (e.g. alerts or instructions) triggered by apps or smart devices
Use raised textures, touch surfaces and embossed symbols for identification by touch Incorporate audio or visual cues (e.g. alerts or instructions) triggered by apps or smart devices
4. Adopt Design for All / Universal Design principles
Design packaging that works for as many people without adaptation as possible.
Design packaging that works for as many people without adaptation as possible.
Take into account the elderly, visually impaired users, temporary disabilities and those with a low level of literacy.
Involve real users with disabilities in the testing and co-design phases
5. Support understanding of content and use
Include short, intuitive product descriptions, instructions for use, and disposal instructions. Provide access to external content in inclusive formats (e.g., sign language videos, audio descriptions)
Highlight openings and tear points using visual or tactile markers
Include short, intuitive product descriptions, instructions for use, and disposal instructions. Provide access to external content in inclusive formats (e.g., sign language videos, audio descriptions)
Highlight openings and tear points using visual or tactile markers
Operational
Checklist
1. Ergonomic handling
– Can the packaging be opened without excessive effort or tools?
– Can the packaging be opened without excessive effort or tools?
2. Visual accessibility
– Are legible texts with sufficient contrast and accessible fonts included?
– Are legible texts with sufficient contrast and accessible fonts included?
3. Tactile identification
– Are there raised or tactile elements to identify by touch?
– Are there raised or tactile elements to identify by touch?
4. Access to digital information
– Are audio or video instructions accessible via digital codes?
– Are audio or video instructions accessible via digital codes?
5. Consideration of inclusive design
– Does the design respond to different motor, visual or cognitive needs?
– Does the design respond to different motor, visual or cognitive needs?
6. User testing and co-design
– Has the packaging been tested or co-designed for people with disabilities?
– Has the packaging been tested or co-designed for people with disabilities?
7. Multi-sensory instructions
– Are the instructions for use and opening clear and multi-sensory?
– Are the instructions for use and opening clear and multi-sensory?
Checklist