EU platform publishes our paper on user involvement
Funka Foundation’s Susanna Laurin was selected by the EU Digital Skills and Jobs Platform to write a paper on the topic of user involvement. The resulting article examines strategies to promote and embed user involvement early in the design process to foster greater inclusion.
The importance of accessibility in designing digital services has gained increasing recognition as a cornerstone for ensuring full inclusion and equal participation. However, achieving genuine accessibility goes beyond merely adhering to legal requirements – it demands the active involvement of end users with disabilities at every stage of the design and development process.
User involvement is emphasized in key EU accessibility policies and widely recognised as important by key stakeholders. Nevertheless, it remains underutilized in practice.
Understanding user needs is essential to any company that wants their product or service to become successful. Surprisingly few organisations actually ask real people – and even fewer consider needs of people with disabilities, says Susanna Laurin.
The paper “Facilitating User Involvement in the Design of Digital Services: a Path to Accessibility and Inclusion” provides various perspectives and recommendations to initiate change.
Full article on facilitating user involvement, opens in a new window
The Digital Skills and Jobs Platform is an EU-funded initiative aiming to advance digital skills and knowledge of all Europeans. The Platform provides open access to a wide variety of high-quality information and resources for everyone interested in the broad topic of digital skills and jobs. It provides resources and possibilities to connect with various stakeholders across the EU through collaborative spaces and a community open to all.