Search

Inclusive design (ID) is a design process that ensures that all people, particularly marginalized groups, can use the environment. Inclusive design (ID) in architecture is based on accurate data related to user experiences where the users' perception of the built environment demonstrates the optimal facilitation of their expectations, needs, and demands. Despite this, in studies about inclusive design and multisensory architecture, the perspective of visually impaired people (VIP) is still lacking, especially in accessing public spaces. To address this gap, this study aims to investigate how sighted and visually impaired people perceive an oasis settlement urban park's physical environment and verify the similarities and differences between these two categories. The research was conducted by applying two approaches, one qualitative based on a series of field surveys and the other quantitative relying on in situ measurements of the physical dimensions of the environment. The main findings of this study show that visually impaired people deserve special consideration due to their varying abilities to perceive the surrounding environment. Furthermore, the results indicate that auditory environments are more perceptible to the visually impaired than the sighted. In contrast, findings from the analysis of the perceived restorativeness scale (PRS-11) show that sighted users of the park have a slightly higher average score than visually impaired users regarding its components of Fascination, Being-Away, Coherence, and Scope. According to the Semantic Differential Scale of Multi-Variable Evaluation of the Park Environment, there are no significant differences between park users' perceptions of the park's nature and the thermal environment. The conclusion suggests that to ensure users' well-being, it is crucial to understand the different individual needs among groups of users and come up with innovative and all-inclusive solutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Student mental health is a critical issue in higher education. It is understood that higher education can act to trigger or exacerbate mental health difficulties, but research in this area has focused primarily on campus environments, identifying stressors such as halls of residence. Since distance learning students disclose mental health issues at a higher rate than campus students, and completion and progression gaps are on a par with the sector, the barriers and enablers to mental wellbeing in distance learning must be understood. This paper reports on a qualitative study that investigated barriers and enablers to mental wellbeing and study success that students experienced in distance learning. Sixteen distance learning students and five tutors were interviewed using narrative enquiry; students told their own stories and tutors told stories of students they had supported. Barriers and enablers were identified across different aspects of study, skills-development and the distance learning environment, and are presented in a taxonomy of barriers and enablers that suggest a range of implications for distance learning educators and policy developers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Warp-knit seamless clothes are knitted products that have become increasingly popular in recent years as a result of their improved quality and inclusive design. Seamless warp knitting is becoming more widespread in undergarments, socks, pantyhose, and other fields, with only a few fashion products remaining. This work focuses on the principles of forming, apparel design, production procedures, performance testing, and other factors for producing a seamless jacket. The designing method uses Huazhong CAD (HZCAD) software to depict the forming process of seamless jackets. For style and pattern design, HZCAD software is a highly convenient and simple to comprehend. According to the results of the performance analysis, the yarn and stitch structure employed in the warp-knitted seamless top are similar to that of regular cotton fabrics, and may provide consumers with a comfortable wearing experience. It is observed that the air permeability which is as high as 1682.45 breathability/L m−2 s−1 and moisture permeability which are excellent with the value of 272.4 Wetting rate g/(m2 d) in the garment with mesh stitch structure. Besides, single warp knit fabric found to have superior elastic property. Therefore, the study demonstrated the viability of popularizing warp-knitted seamless items in the fashion industry, with the goal of providing new design concepts and production methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Actas de Diseño is the property of Facultad de Diseno y Comunicacion, Fundacion Universidad de Palermo and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This paper aims to explore the relationship between the Big Five model of personality traits and social media usage in a Swedish context. The paper consists of three representative studies of the Swedish population in the age range 16 to 85. In Study 1 (N = 6542), the Big Five personality factors were measured by HP5i. In Study 2 (N = 3322) and Study 3 (N = 3302), the Big Five personality factors were measured by BFI-10. Different personality inventories and time periods for data collection were the basis for the breakdown of the studies. In all three studies, social media usage was measured by a self-reported estimation of frequencies. For each study, correlation matrixes between the study variables were first presented, followed by hierarchical regression analyses to test if personality factors predicted internet users' social media usage. Gender and age were control variables. Over and above the effects of gender and age, all three studies found that social media usage is positively associated with extraversion. The first two studies also found that social media usage is associated with a high degree of openness to experiences and a low degree of conscientiousness. The reliability of the findings is strengthened through different personality inventories, large-scale representative samples of the Swedish population, and replications over time. However, since personality and social media usage vary between different cultures and time periods, caution should be taken in generalizing the results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Collaborations of universities with different stakeholders can extend students' learning and result in capacity development among all the collaborators. The project described in this article, SIDe, involved partners from the UK and Turkey who develop a mechanism together to effectively embed inclusive design and co-design in social design education. The knowledge production through normative inquiry and the experience of a shared equal voice among all the partners resulted in the SIDe Model, enabling collaborators to understand their unique contributions. The model was tested with students from four different disciplines at the Faculty of Architecture, Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University. This article offers original insights into how normative inquiry can be realized in course design and project execution to drive inclusion in social design education; it also provides the improved design process model – the SIDe model – to facilitate potential wider adoption of the good practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To explore how socially assistive robots (SARs) may assist the specific needs of individuals with Parkinson's disease (IwPD), we conducted three focus groups with 12 clinicians who treat IwPD. We present a thematic analysis of their perceptions of the needs of the patients, and their own expectations, perceived advantages, disadvantages and concerns regarding the use of SARs for IwPD. Clinicians were positive towards using SARs for IwPD, if used in the patient's home, for motor, communication, emotional, and cognitive needs, especially for practice and for help with activities of daily living. They were concerned that a SAR might be used to replace clinicians' work, and stressed it should only augment the clinicians' work. They thought a SAR may relieve some of the burden experienced by informal caregivers, and identified specific applications for SARs for PD. We asked 18 stakeholders (nine IwPD, nine family members) to rate their level of agreement with the clinicians' statements. The greatest divergence between their views and those of the clinicians was on the topic of using a SAR as a companion, or as a feeding assistant, to which they objected. This work may be used as a basis for future studies designing SARs for IwPD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Architects usually design for normative bodies, thus shaping an exclusive environment for many users. This article explores the gap in architectural education that leads to a lack of knowledge in the architectural profession about the various accessibility needs of the wide spectrum of disabled people. It reports on a pilot study, involving architectural educators, to suggest a threshold of integrating a critical awareness of diverse accessibility needs. We found that adopting the social model of disability in the architecture design studio has the potential to serve as a threshold to reach a holistic inclusive design curriculum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article aims to review and identify key challenges and opportunities in the interrelationship between cultural tourism, inclusive design, and digital storytelling fields. The literature review included searching Scopus, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar for three main field keywords, drawing 421 articles between 1990 and 2022. Content analysis was applied to literature findings and five categories with twenty-three themes emerged accordingly: (1) issues in cultural tourism; (2) diversity in museums; (3) inclusive design in museums; (4) motivation in museums; and (5) digital storytelling in museums. The article further discusses the nuanced relationship between these three fields and proposes an initial framework to help future growth of cultural tourism through increasing visitors' motivation and diversity. As such, the work aims to facilitate cultural tourism as an activity that better reflects the diversity of its potential audiences and proactively addresses their needs, requirements and interests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Technology should be accessible and inclusive, so designers should learn to consider the needs of different users. Toward this end, we created the theoretically-grounded CIDER assumption elicitation technique, an educational analytical design evaluation method to teach inclusive design skills. CIDER (Critique, Imagine, Design, Expand, Repeat) helps designers recognize and respond to bias using the critical lens of assumptions about users. Through an 11-week mixed-method case study in an interaction design course with 40 undergraduate students and follow-up interviews, we found that activities based on the CIDER technique may have helped students identify increasingly many types of design bias over time and reflect on their unconscious biases about users. The activities also had lasting impacts, encouraging some students to adopt more inclusive approaches in subsequent design work. We discuss the implications of these findings, namely that educational techniques like CIDER can help designers learn to create equitable technology designs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several studies have indicated that children who grow up in green environments enjoy beneficial impacts on their development. However, to date, very little attention has been paid to the types and characteristics of dedicated public open green space for children. In addition, studies on biophilic design that could help landscape architects to design open spaces for children are limited. In order to fill this gap, this perspective examines the scientific literature on the relationship between open spaces and children. The authors specifically discuss and analyze the following points: (1) pathways to and effects on children's health and well-being; (2) types and characteristics of open spaces for child-dedicated facilities (e.g., schools, hospitals, fitness camps, playgrounds, etc.), as well as for child-friendly urban open spaces. Finally, the authors provide inspiring examples and case studies of biophilic design for children's health and well-being. Conclusions from this perspective show that biophilic design could benefit both the physical and mental health of children, as well as improve children's overall resilience to pandemics and other diseases. This perspective provides, for the first time, new insights for designing biophilic and child-friendly cities, and explores areas of future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to optimize the evaluation system of inclusive design in urban parks, emphasizing the systemic nature of sensory, cognitive, and motor capacity support and exploring its role in park design practice. Based on the capability demand model, this study constructed indicators through literature collation and focus group discussion and assigned weights through hierarchical analysis to finally construct the Park Inclusive Design Index (PIDI). Then, the PIDI was utilized to assess the inclusive design performance of 48 urban parks in Hangzhou, China. The results of this study show that the overall inclusive design level of parks is relatively low (the average PIDI < 70), especially in the provision of cognitive support (cognitive-related indicator < 4). Meanwhile, comprehensive and specialized parks performed better in inclusive design compared to community parks and leisure parks. The level of inclusive design is moderatory correlated with the park renovation time and the park area, and strongly correlated with geographic location (scenic spot parks perform better; the parks in the old city perform worse). Ten indicators in the assessment scored below 2, which reveals the current status, shortcomings, and general problems with inclusive facilities in Hangzhou’s urban parks. This study integrated the needs and ability differences of people into the indicators, providing an assessment framework with broad applicability. Inclusive performance is a long-term process, and the implementation of the evaluation framework will provide a reference guide for the design, construction, operation, and maintenance of urban parks across China and even around the world.

As a part of the Agrilab Inclusive farming programme, Pusat Rehabilitasi Yakum collaborated with the Institute for Research and Community Service, Universitas Kristen Duta Wacana in assisting the design and development of the inclusive mushroom house which is owned by the farmers under the Yakkum Difable Person Organisation in Cangkep Lor, Purworejo. The design process was conducted by utilizing the participatory design method. The enquiry phase included the determination of the most demanding capabilities in the mushroom-farming context. The problems were mainly found in accessibility. For instance, the visually impaired farmer required non-visual stimulus. In addition, motion or space adjustment was also needed by wheelchair-using farmers. The action-research method in this programme intended to develop a mushroom house with adequate, accessible pathways and an automatic misting system that eased the difficulties faced by farmers with disabilities. The results showed that the solutions increased the productivity of mushroom farming, promoted a positive experience in mushroom cultivation both for farmers with and without disabilities. The participation of mushroom farmers during the design process was the key to the sustainable mushroom house. This approach allowed the mushroom farmers to understand the inclusive design principles and to adjust the design to meet their capabilities and local sources. Therefore, they could accommodate maintenance and implement future development independently.

This article demonstrates a case study in research-creation based on the extended reality (XR) placemaking initiative, and reports on the development of two iterations that are part of a digital technologies (DT) project. Various studies with a focus on restorative and relaxation applications have shown positive findings in improving mental wellness and self-awareness. We speculate that combining physical activity and exposure to digital nature can provide additional health benefits compared to restorative activities alone. The first iteration, Mind Space XR, is a virtual reality (VR) project that has the initial goal of supporting users to experience emotion-focused skills training based on mindfulness, emotion regulation and compassion in a low-risk environment. In this iteration of the DT project, we have focused on interaction design aspects and the research-creation process required to develop the information architecture framework of an early prototype. This ongoing research then informs the development of a second iteration, the 'inclusive virtual simulation space' – a VR learning simulation initiative that supports users to experience customizable content in an inclusive environment. Combining Australian Curriculum areas from DT and the humanities and social sciences, this study will experiment with the human–computer interaction process with the goal of configuring a modular high-fidelity virtual environment to achieve perceived ease of use by user groups including creators, educators and students. This will lead to a proof-of-concept platform with the flexibility to integrate digital content that permits the co-creation of digital prototypes driven by inclusive virtual and physical placemaking and simulation learning. This educational inclusive virtual simulation project focuses on experimenting with and introducing education technology and XR skills and knowledge to educators and creators, which is broadly applicable to education-based DT contexts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Obtaining and submitting documentation related to disabilities to instructors is a known barrier to students accessing necessary accommodations. We assessed whether the implementation of a universal course design procedure, an automatic re-weight for students who missed a midterm exam without requiring documentation, was associated with differences in midterm examination attendance relative to a previous course offering when documentation was required for such an absence. In 2018, a large (n = 1897) first-year course introduced a fall midterm examination that required documentation for assessment reweights resulting from a missed exam, and in 2019 (n = 1795) assessments were automatically (i.e., no documentation required) re-weighted for students who missed the exam. We expected that the midterm attendance rate for the 2019 (no documentation required) exam would be significantly lower than the 2018 fall midterm exam attendance rate. However, our results revealed that removing the requirement for documentation was not associated with an increase in exam absences. These findings indicate that flexible practices can be effective in promoting accessibility while not significantly affecting student engagement and completion of summative assessments. However, we did not assess for any differences in learning because of this missed testing practice, and there are limitations such that these findings may not generalize to other student populations. We call for further discussion and research with respect to the learning-related consequences of re-weighting assessments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim/Purpose: This paper describes a technologies education model for introducing Simulation Learning and Extended Reality (XR) solution creation skills and knowledge to students at the tertiary education level, which is broadly applicable to higher education-based contexts of teaching and learning. Background: This work is made possible via the model's focus on advancing knowledge and understanding of a range of digital resources, and the processes and production skills to teach and produce playable educational digital content, including classroom practice and applications. Methodology: Through practice-based learning and technology as an enabler, to inform the development of this model, we proposed a mixed-mode project-based approach of study within a transdisciplinary course for Higher Education students from the first year through to the post-graduate level. Contribution: An argument is also presented for the utility of this model for upskilling Preservice Teachers' (PSTs) pedagogical content knowledge in Technologies, which is especially relevant to the Australian curriculum context and will be broadly applicable to various educative and non-Australian settings. Findings: Supported by practice-based research, work samples and digital projects of Simulation Learning and XR developed by the authors are demonstrated to ground the discussion in examples; the discussion that is based around some of the challenges and the technical considerations, and the scope of teaching digital solutions creation is provided. Recommendations for Practitioners: We provide a flexible technologies teaching and learning model for determining content for inclusion in a course designed to provide introductory Simulation Learning and XR solution creation skills and knowledge. Recommendations for Researchers The goal was to provide key criteria and an outline that can be adapted by academic researchers and learning designers in various higher education-based contexts of teaching and inclusive learning design focused on XR. Impact on Society: We explore how educators work with entities in various settings and contexts with different priorities, and how we recognise expertise beyond the institutional interests, beyond discipline, and explore 'what is possible' through digital technologies for social good and inclusivity. Future Research: The next step for this research is to investigate and explore how XR and Simulation Learning could be utilised to accelerate student learning in STEM and HASS disciplines, to promote knowledge retention and a higher level of technology-enhanced learning engagement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inclusive Design is an approach to design that aims to meet the needs of the widest possible audience, regardless of age and ability, through the realisation of products and services. This approach puts users at the centre of the design process, which means working with people rather than working for them. This article focuses on the application of Inclusive Design and Human-Centred Design approaches specifically aimed at Parkinson's disease. Through the analysis of a design case, the article describes the applied methodology aimed at solving the challenges posed by Parkinson's disease through the design of an inclusive home environment. The case study shows how the Inclusive Design mindset favours a holistic and creative approach, capable of bringing together different user groups throughout the various stages of the design process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Planlama is the property of TMMOB Sehir Plancilari Odasi and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

INTRODUCTION: Programming is an important skill in the 21st century and it is important to reach and motivate the younger audience. Educational games have proved to motivate students, but research reports about girls not feeling welcome in game environments. OBJECTIVE: The overall objective of this study is to gather information for the development of a preliminary conceptual model for girl inclusive educational game design. METHODS: This study was conducted as a requirement-focused Design science study. The focus was set on gathering requirements for a future design and development of educational games on fundamental programming. RESULTS: A thematic analysis resulted in the main themes of Exploration Without Violence, Collaborative Interaction, Character Diversity, Customisation, Graphics, Game Mechanics, Game Content, and Learning and Motivation CONCLUSION: The accumulation of results from the literature study and the survey have been merged into a preliminary conceptual model. The conclusion is that a thoughtful consideration of the found factors can support the idea of a Girl Inclusive Educational Game Design. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

User engagement is a dynamic social process influenced by who is involved and how. Here we argue that designers must account for the structural conditions of users’ lives, as they may have safety, accountability, and political implications. We review current scholarship in the area of user configuration and engagement from a ‘structural’ viewpoint of genderbased violence (GBV), to better understand such considerations. We propose three dimensions that might support designers in deepening their engagement in this area, namely: construction of the user, engagement within the context, and the designers’ position. We combine these dimensions as a framework to review and compare examples of designed outcomes for GBV prevention. This article suggests thoughts and questions to be considered by designers for thinking more structurally about GBV design, and for other contexts involving people experiencing vulnerability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Regional parks are large areas of land preserved on account of the wildlife value, natural beauty, cultural and historic interest, or recreational use of the landscape. They are usually within close proximity to urban areas and can span political and administrative boundaries. This study used qualitative research methods and GIS to explore the potential social and economic benefits of creating a regional park in the Severn Vale, Gloucestershire, UK. Whilst the ecology and environment of the Severn Vale are the driver of the park, this study aims to demonstrate how, by protecting and enhancing this particular environment we can also gain a wider range of benefits for the county and beyond. These wider benefits span social and economic realms while still supporting the ecological goals associated with the regional park's management. Thus, we first explored where the park boundary could potentially lie by a series of stages of suitability mapping in GIS. Subsequently, a mini focus group and three semi-structured interviews were conducted with experts in relevant fields in order to obtain perceptions on what the socioeconomic benefits could be of establishing a regional park. Thematic analysis of these discussions was then conducted using Qualitative Solution for Research (QSR) NVivo version 12 Software. The analysis identified four main themes related to the research aims, these were improved health and well-being; inclusive accessibility to open space; community building and engagement; and economic opportunity. Perceptions and suggestions obtained from the data recommended how the regional park should incorporate addressing issues such as health inequalities, inclusivity of all segments of society, options for active and sustainable travel, community engagement, and the creation of a positive regional brand, into the managerial practices and design elements of the proposed Severn Vale Regional Park. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Human Factors in Design is the property of Universidade do Estado de Santa Catarina and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Participatory design and interdisciplinarity are essential aspects when designing for children with accentuated needs; however, they have been even more relevant during the pandemic. COVID-19 has established structural and social changes in our society (telework, online education, globalization of work schedules, etc.) which have made family conciliation a great difficulty for families with children with accentuated needs, given their low selfautonomy. This situation has reinforced the importance of the interconnected needs and skills of the different agents (parents, children, therapists, teachers, etc.) that are involved in their lives, which, therefore, should be considered when working on the self-autonomy of these children. This work explores how these interconnected experiences should be reflected in product design and the relevance of having participatory design and interdisciplinarity at the core of the process, to create meaningful products that improve the independence of these children. This work is developed by conducting bibliographic research, surveys, and interviews with family members and professionals. It explores the perspectives of different agents on what the pandemic implied and the importance of translating them into design methods. The results showed that the needs of parents, professionals, and children differ from each other; thus, to create products that help these children be more independent, the combination of experiences of the different agents should serve as the basis for the product design. It is a first step toward participatory design and interdisciplinary methods focused on interconnected needs, experiences, and culture to design socially sustainable products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper describes the second part of the PASSO (Parkinson smart sensory cues for older users) project, which designs and tests an innovative haptic biofeedback system based on a wireless body sensor network using a smartphone and different smartwatches specifically designed to rehabilitate postural disturbances in persons with Parkinson's disease. According to the scientific literature on the use of smart devices to transmit sensory cues, vibrotactile feedback (particularly on the trunk) seems promising for improving people's gait and posture performance; they have been used in different environments and are well accepted by users. In the PASSO project, we designed and developed a wearable device and a related system to transmit vibrations to a person's body to improve posture and combat impairments like Pisa syndrome and camptocormia. Specifically, this paper describes the methodologies and strategies used to design, develop, and test wearable prototypes and the mHealth system. The results allowed a multidisciplinary comparison among the solutions, which led to prototypes with a high degree of usability, wearability, accessibility, and effectiveness. This mHealth system is now being used in pilot trials with subjects with Parkinson's disease to verify its feasibility among patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The COVID-19 pandemic is emerging as a driver of greater reliance on wireless technologies, including intelligent assistive technologies, such as robots and artificial intelligence. We must integrate the humane "into the loop" of human-AT interactions to realize the full potential of wireless inclusion for people with disabilities and older adults. Embedding ethics into these new technologies is critical and requires a co-design approach, with end users participating throughout. Developing humane AT begins with a participatory, user-centered design embedded in an iterative co-creation process, and guided by an ethos prioritizing beneficence, user autonomy and agency. To gain insight into plausible AT development pathways ("futures"), we use scenario planning as a tool to articulate themes in the research literature. Four plausible scenarios are developed and compared to identify one as a desired "humane" future for AT development. Policy and practice recommendations derived from this scenario, and their implications for the role of AT in the advancement of human potential are explored. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The number of blind older adults is gradually increasing with the aging of world's population, and their needs and perception of sound are specific. This study investigated the behavioral activities of blind older adults and the dominant sound sources through on-site observation of an all-blind nursing home in China, and it used semi-structured interviews to obtain the sound perceptions of blind older adults. The findings showed that the daily behavioral activities can be categorized into basic living activity, leisure activity, social activity; and physical activity. The dominant sound sources included human, equipment, informational, and environmental sounds. This study developed a sound perception model of blind older adults in nursing homes, which takes three levels: sound requirements, acoustic environment, and sound cognition. Firstly, the blind older adults have a basic understanding of sound from the perspective of their living needs, then they feel the sound environment from the perspective of the living environment, and finally, they perceive the acoustic environment from the dimension of sound cognition in conjunction with contextual memory. This study sheds a light on the aural diversity of older adults, which is expected to support the inclusive design of nursing homes for older adults with visual impairments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the paper is to reveal the challenges of implementation of inclusive education in typical rural schools of Ukraine. The authors performed empirical research to identify attitudes of rural school teachers towards inclusive education as well as their understanding of existing barriers and priorities to improve the quality of educational services for students with special educational needs (SEN). To achieve the aim of the research, the following methods have been used: reviewing of psychological and pedagogical literature, questionnaire surveys, quantitative and qualitative analysis of the obtained data. The outlined problem has been theoretically analyzed and the peculiarities and difficulties of teaching students with special educational needs in rural areas have been substantiated. The paper describes survey responses of teachers involved in the inclusive process in rural schools. 192 representatives of different age categories and regions of Ukraine participated in this empirical study. The paper explores questions of effective management of rural schools, professional cooperation in a team of psychological and pedagogical support of students with special educational needs, promotion of inclusive practices via information and communication technologies (ICT) and STEAM-laboratories, cooperation within local communities, introduction of universal design for learning and others. Prospects for the development of rural inclusive schools in current conditions of digitalization of education also have been identified.

Residential interior design for people with special needs necessitates more specific research, especially with respect to physical abilities. Previous studies, as opposed to general people, have overlooked the nuanced requirements generated by age, gender, and living environment differences. This study aims to examine physical abilities across different ages, genders, and residencies and identify relationships between in-home mobility and physical abilities among people with special needs. A total of 384 participants (eight different types of disabilities) completed electronic questionnaires. Among young, adult, and older groups, physical abilities and self-support showed statistical differences. Males demonstrated higher physical ability levels but decreased hand–arm movements than females. Greater physical abilities and subjective health were found in urban residents compared to non-urban residents. Additionally, in-home mobility was positively associated with out-of-home mobility, physical abilities, independence, and subjective health (all p values < 0.05). Thus, physical abilities revealed disparities across ages, genders, and resident settings. Also, the greater the mobility inside the house, the more possibilities there are to enhance physical abilities both inside and outside the house, independence, and subjective health. Design recommendations are provided regarding layout, furniture, flooring, and lighting. The consideration of these specific requirements in residential interior design is encouraged.

In today’s digital age, mobile applications have become invaluable tools for enhancing accessibility and inclusivity, especially for individuals with disabilities. This study focuses on the landscape of accessibility apps designed to facilitate inclusivity for disabled individuals in buildings. By investigating current trends, strengths, weaknesses, and their impact on independence and quality of life, the research aims to shed light on the state of these apps and identify areas for future development. To achieve these objectives, a multi-faceted approach was employed, encompassing a literature review and app categorization. The study emphasizes the necessity for a common evaluation and certification framework to ensure consistency, reliability, and transparency in assessing the effectiveness of accessibility apps in the built environment. Such a framework would instill user trust, support informed decision-making, and stimulate innovation in this field. The findings of this research contribute to the advancement of inclusive design practices, serving as a valuable resource for developers, policymakers, and disabled individuals seeking effective tools to enhance accessibility. By fostering an inclusive society where disabled individuals can fully navigate and participate, this study aligns with the broader goal of creating a more inclusive and equitable world.