What is the Disability Characteristics Model?

The disability characteristics are designed to prompt deeper thinking about how different combinations can shape unique access needs in design. They aren't exhaustive, but offer a practical lens for exploring diverse experiences without relying solely on personal disclosure.

What does "make it clear" mean for accessibility?

Use plain, direct language and consistent UI to reduce ambiguity and build confidence. Clarity reduces cognitive load for all users.

What does "reduce effort, increase access" mean?

Cut unnecessary steps, offer shortcuts, and keep the default path efficient. Every interaction should serve a clear purpose.

How can I support autonomy without disclosure?

Offer access without requiring users to disclose disability or justify needs. Universal access should be the default, not something users need to request.

What are subtle signals in accessibility?

Treat minor friction, drop-off, and indirect feedback as meaningful indicators of exclusion. Users may not explicitly report accessibility barriers.

How do I design for psychological safety?

Avoid coercion, urgency, and punishment. Offer control, recovery, and reassurance. Users should feel safe to make mistakes and explore at their own pace.

What does multiple ways to interact mean?

Ensure input and output can match diverse sensory, motor, and cognitive preferences. Provide alternatives for different interaction methods.

Cross-Cutting Inclusive Design Principles

These principles were established through affinity mapping themes from the initial design considerations from the 10 Personatypes. This set of principles adds and expands beyond existing sets and also draws from important foundational work by Microsoft and others.

These principles are derived from the Disability Characteristics Model, providing practical guidance for implementing inclusive design based on the theoretical framework.

1 - Honor User Expertise

Preserve standard conventions and allow power users to bypass friction. Design with trust in disabled users' expertise.

2 - Make it Clear

Use plain, direct language and consistent UI to reduce ambiguity and build confidence.

3 - Design for Varying Pace

Support slow, fast, or fluctuating engagement with options for sequencing, re-entry, and progressive disclosure.

4 - Reduce Effort, Increase Access

Cut unnecessary steps, offer shortcuts, and keep the default path efficient.

5 - Support Autonomy Without Disclosure

Offer access without requiring users to disclose disability or justify needs.

6 - Adapt for Change Over Time

Build systems that flex with evolving identities, access patterns, and life circumstances.

7 - Respond to Subtle Signals

Treat minor friction, drop-off, and indirect feedback as meaningful indicators of exclusion.

8 - Design for Psychological Safety

Avoid coercion, urgency, and punishment. Offer control, recovery, and reassurance.

9 - Offer Multiple Ways to Interact

Ensure input and output can match diverse sensory, motor, and cognitive preferences.

10 - Co-Create and Communicate Clearly

Involve disabled people in shaping solutions. Be transparent about access policies and design intent.

New and Expanded Aspects

The Personatypes framework contributes unique psychological, experiential, and privacy-based dimensions that traditional universal/inclusive design frameworks tend to underrepresent or miss, particularly in relation to:

Disability identity development
Invisible/internalized barriers
Emotional regulation
Non-disclosure and misrecognition

Learn more about the theoretical foundation behind these principles in the Disability Characteristics Model.