Short answer

Design processes for events must actively involve users with diverse needs to ensure that both accessibility and sustainability are holistically integrated, rather than treated as separate considerations.

Field: User-Centred Design
Source: Universal Access in the Information Society (2023)
Method: Co-creation workshops and subsequent event organization
Evidence: Moderate effect

Co-creation workshops reveal that user-centric approaches are crucial for developing practical guidelines that simultaneously address event accessibility and sustainability. This user-centred design research insight is drawn from a 2023 study published in Universal Access in the Information Society. Using Co-creation workshops and subsequent event organization, researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: Design processes for events must actively involve users with diverse needs to ensure that both accessibility and sustainability are holistically integrated, rather than treated as separate considerations.

Study

User-Centred DesignRecentModerate effect

Integrating Accessibility and Sustainability in Event Design

Co-creation workshops reveal that user-centric approaches are crucial for developing practical guidelines that simultaneously address event accessibility and sustainability.

Universal Access in the Information Society · 2023

Key Findings

01Co-creation workshops can effectively gather practical insights for integrating accessibility and sustainability in event planning.
02Existing guidelines on accessibility and sustainability often overlook their intersection.
03Developing a template for accessible and sustainable academic and scientific events from inception is a viable goal.

Application

Design takeaway

How to apply

When planning any event, conduct co-creation sessions with individuals representing diverse accessibility needs and environmental perspectives to inform your design decisions.

Project actions

01When researching event design, consider how accessibility features can also contribute to sustainability (e.g., digital access reducing travel needs).
02Explore methods for gathering user feedback early in the design process to ensure all needs are considered.

Method & Evidence

AimHow can co-creation workshops effectively inform the development of guidelines for organizing sustainable and accessible events that cater to diverse access needs?

MethodCo-creation workshops and subsequent event organization

ProcedureTwo co-creation workshops were conducted focusing on practical elements of organizing accessible and sustainable events. Insights from these workshops, drawing on examples from EU projects, were used to develop guidelines. These guidelines were then applied to organize the Green Digital Accessibility conference, which took place in a hybrid format.

ContextEvent planning and management, with a focus on digital and scientific conferences.

Variables

IVCo-creation workshop methodology, focus on accessibility and sustainability.

DVDevelopment of practical guidelines for accessible and sustainable events, successful organization of a conference incorporating these guidelines.

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

+Addresses a critical gap in research by linking sustainability and accessibility in event design.
+Employs a practical, co-creation methodology to generate actionable insights.

Limitations

The findings are based on a specific context (EU projects, hybrid conference) and may need adaptation for different event types or scales.

Reliability & validity

The reliability of the findings could be enhanced by replicating the co-creation workshops with different participant groups and in various event contexts. The validity is supported by the practical application of the developed guidelines in organizing a real conference.

Think critically

To what extent can the integration of accessibility and sustainability in event design lead to unintended trade-offs, and how can these be mitigated through user-centered design?

Design Principles

"Inclusive design for events requires a user-centered approach that balances accessibility needs with environmental responsibility."

Designing events that are both accessible and sustainable requires a deep understanding of diverse user needs and environmental impacts. By involving stakeholders in the design process, practitioners can develop more effective and inclusive solutions that resonate with a wider audience and minimize ecological footprints.

What This Means for Your Design

To make events both easy for everyone to attend and good for the planet, you need to ask people with different needs what they require and think about the environment at the same time.

How to use in your project

1.Use this research to justify the importance of user research in your design project, especially when addressing complex issues like sustainability and accessibility.
2.Cite this paper when discussing the benefits of co-creation or participatory design methods for developing practical solutions.

Add to My Project

Quick Cite

Paragraph starter

This research emphasizes the critical role of user-centered design in achieving both event accessibility and sustainability. By employing co-creation methodologies, as demonstrated by Brescia-Zapata (2023), designers can effectively integrate diverse user needs with environmental considerations, leading to more inclusive and responsible event planning.

Source

Universal Access in the Information Society

Towards sustainable and accessible events: an exploratory research perspective

journal · 2023

View source

Questions About This Research

What does the research say about integrating accessibility and sustainability in event design?: Design processes for events must actively involve users with diverse needs to ensure that both accessibility and sustainability are holistically integrated, rather than treated as separate considerations. Evidence: Universal Access in the Information Society (2023).
Why does "Integrating Accessibility and Sustainability in Event Design" matter for design?: Designing events that are both accessible and sustainable requires a deep understanding of diverse user needs and environmental impacts. By involving stakeholders in the design process, practitioners can develop more effective and inclusive solutions that resonate with a wider audience and minimize ecological footprints.
How can designers apply this research?: Design processes for events must actively involve users with diverse needs to ensure that both accessibility and sustainability are holistically integrated, rather than treated as separate considerations.
What were the main findings?: Co-creation workshops can effectively gather practical insights for integrating accessibility and sustainability in event planning.. Existing guidelines on accessibility and sustainability often overlook their intersection.. Developing a template for accessible and sustainable academic and scientific events from inception is a viable goal.
What research method was used?: Co-creation workshops and subsequent event organization.
How strong is the evidence?: Evidence strength is rated Moderate effect, based on a 2023 journal from Universal Access in the Information Society.
What should I do differently in my next project?: When planning any event, conduct co-creation sessions with individuals representing diverse accessibility needs and environmental perspectives to inform your design decisions.
What are the limitations?: The study's findings are based on exploratory research and may not be generalizable to all types of events or cultural contexts. The specific examples used were drawn from EU projects, which might influence the applicability of the guidelines in different regions.