How can you apply UX research insights to improve inclusivity?

2 Involve your users

The second step to improve inclusivity is to involve your users in the design process, as co-creators, testers, and evaluators. UX research methods such as participatory design, card sorting, prototyping, and user feedback can help you engage your users in generating ideas, validating concepts, and refining solutions. By involving your users, you can ensure that your design meets their needs, preferences, and expectations, as well as respects their values, cultures, and identities. You can also avoid assumptions, stereotypes, and biases that might affect your design decisions.

3 Adapt to your users

The third step to improve inclusivity is to adapt to your users, by providing them with options, choices, and flexibility. UX research methods such as A/B testing, multivariate testing, and analytics can help you measure and optimize your design performance, by comparing different versions, variations, and features. By adapting to your users, you can offer them personalized and customized experiences, that suit their preferences, contexts, and abilities. You can also enable them to control and adjust their experiences, by providing them with settings, preferences, and feedback mechanisms.

5 Educate your users

The fifth step to improve inclusivity is to educate your users, by providing them with information, guidance, and support. UX research methods such as user testing, user feedback, and analytics can help you assess your design usability, learnability, and accessibility, by observing how users interact with your design, how they learn to use it, and how they overcome difficulties. By educating your users, you can help them understand the value, purpose, and functionality of your design, as well as teach them how to use it effectively and efficiently. You can also assist them with onboarding, tutorials, tips, and help resources.

6 Empower your users

The sixth step to improve inclusivity is to empower your users, by enabling them to express themselves, connect with others, and achieve their goals. UX research methods such as interviews, surveys, user feedback, and analytics can help you understand your user emotions, attitudes, and behaviors, by asking them how they feel, what they think, and what they do. By empowering your users, you can create positive and meaningful experiences, that foster trust, loyalty, and advocacy. You can also inspire them to share their stories, opinions, and feedback, as well as to collaborate, co-create, and contribute to your design.