Changing perspective on social inclusion and design: exploring the concept of designing for inclusive attitudes

The pandemic increased disparities and exacerbated pre-existing inequalities. Attitudinal barriers and discrimination were also exacerbated by the pandemic effects. Some diversity conditions suffered more than others post-pandemic status because their needs were not embedded in the pandemic planning prior to COVID-19. Also, the pandemic effects underlined the importance of embedding Inclusion, Diversity, Equality and Accessibility strategies in complex contexts such as in healthcare systems. Therefore, the paper focuses on how to improve inclusive attitudes through design for fighting discrimination and promoting diversity in society. However, traditional design for inclusion approaches do not provide instruments to address this aspect. Consequently, the paper embraces the Design for Inclusive Attitudes (DxIA) framework and explores the possibility of identifying insights for the related design principles. Cases are reported according to an innovative framework for analysing them by matching types of interventions/policies, levels of change, individual identities in diversity, inclusion needs, design domains and design disciplines. Additionally, artificial intelligence (AI) platforms were used to provide interrogations on the DxIA aspects and inspire the identification of insights for the DxIA principles. As results, the paper presents the analysis of the cases and the text analysis of the interviews with the AI platforms. They were discussed by underlining seven insights that may serve as principles for the DxIA. Finally, the DxIA is discussed as promising for addressing the new emerging inclusion after-pandemic challenges.