We might be biased, but we believe 2023 is the year for inclusion to take centre stage. As we set the pace for the year, our team has picked what they’re reading, watching and listening to, and we’ve compiled our recommendations. This list of favourites, from topical debates to online simulations, will cover you to get your year of inclusion underway
Scott Sumner: Inclusive User Experience manager
Asian Americans Debate Model Minority and Asian Hate | VICE Debates
What does it mean to be Asian in America? In this video, VICE invited a diverse panel of Asian Americans on the left and right to discuss their political and social ideologies. The group discusses what terminology helps define identities, views on assimilation, the model minority myth and political visibility. Scott also recommends VICE’s ‘Be a Man’: Modernists and Traditionalists Debate Toxic Masculinity for those hungry for more.
Jack Tyrell: Customer Relationship Manager
Few would think that diversity and inclusion are bad for business, and yet we still have so far to go to shift the needle. Jack recommends Ruchicka Tulshyan’s latest book, which explains the science behind inclusion and why it takes awareness, intention and constant practice. She provides a valuable framework of intentional actions for individuals and organisations to create more equitable, diverse and inclusive workplaces.
Ash Finn: Inclusive Graphic Designer and Document Remediator
Accessible Data Visualisations | Sheri Byrne-Haber
Regarding digital accessibility, Sheri Byrne-Haber is one of the best in the biz. A global leader in disability and accessibility, she has launched digital accessibility programs at multiple Fortune 200 companies. Ash’s pic for 2023 is one of Sheri’s articles, where she breaks down the challenges of providing accessible access to complex data visualisations and how to make them accessible to all.
Alina Butolina: Inclusive User Experience Designer
Pencil 11 May in your calendars for the release of this highly anticipated book. Author Suzy Levy is a globally recognised change maker who has worked with a range of companies, charities, governments and universities worldwide. Mind the inclusion gap focuses on where inequalities exist (despite decades of efforts to shift the needle) and how action from allies is critical in driving different outcomes.
Claire Byrne: Marketing Executive
In a world that feels more divisive than ever, Monica Guzman’s book invites us to consider the boundaries for curiosity with those who don’t share our political values, opinions and experiences. It is a refreshing read that describes the divides in society but offers practical solutions on how to ask what you want to know, talk with people (not about them) and find common ground with others.
Gabriela Martin: UX Administration Officer
Understood | Nancy and Fred Poses
More than 30 years ago, Nancy and Fred Poses realised their son Max thought and learnt differently. This discovery led them on a lifelong journey of learning, seeking information they needed to support Max and becoming aware of the strength that comes from our differences. The pair channelled their knowledge into Understood, a not-for-profit dedicated to creating and sharing resources that support people who think and learn differently.
Francesca Harrison: Marketing and Advocacy Intern
In today’s day and age, what does it mean to be a feminist? Does it mean hating the colour pink and disdaining fashion magazines? According to American Writer, Professor and social commentator Roxanne Gay, the answer is no. In a collection of short essays, Gay explores what it means to be a feminist today and how culture has changed over the last few years. She skillfully integrates this wisdom into a profoundly personal story of her evolving identity as a woman of colour.
Holly Drage: Inclusive User Experience Designer
A powerful speech delivered by Sean Patrick Maloney, the first openly gay Congressman from the state of New York, in response to the Trump Administration’s proposal to undo anti-discrimination protections for sexual orientation. Maloney, a father of three, shares his journey of adoptive parenthood while opposing the policy rollbacks that would allow federally funded adoption agencies to deny potential parents based on parents’ sexual orientation.
Rebecca Grace: Finance and Projects Manager
The Future of Flexibility at Work: 5-part Harvard Business Review Article
It’s no secret that the global outbreak of the coronavirus has had significant and long-lasting effects on the workplace. Published in the second half of 2021, when businesses needed to consider how ‘back to work’ would play out, this five-part piece discusses the specific ways the traditional workplace has changed. The series covers everything from what flexibility looks like, questions about hybrid work, the four-day work week, ‘greedy work’ (jobs that pay more in exchange for long, inflexible hours) and more important questions about the purpose of work.
Myles Grancha: Sales manager
Inclusive Design is not a niche | Caroline Casey
‘There is no point having hyper-visible campaigns featuring people with disabilities if they cannot access the fashion shows or stores’.
In this article for Forbes magazine, Caroline Casey calls for greater representation of people with disabilities and moving beyond optics and tokenism. She clearly articulates the social and economic value of an inclusive fashion industry and practical ways businesses can embrace full diversity throughout their supply chains.
Anniese Jose: Inclusive User Experience designer
The Parable of Polygons is a cute segregation sim based on the work of Nobel-prize-winning game theorist Thomas Schelling. In a series of interactive simulations that model segregation and diversity, the post shows how small societal changes have a significant impact. While real life is more nuanced, the model communicates a basic understanding of Schelling’s work.
Shikha Dwivedi: Digital Accessibility Specialist
Useful Accessibility and Usability Examples to help improve your designs | Thomas Bohm
Graphic designs and visual communication techniques are an excellent way for designers to convey information to their readers. However, accessibility is often an afterthought and not considered in the initial design phase. In this self-described ‘lunch break read’ Thomas Bohm highlights common graphic communications problems, expands upon them and shares how to fix them. His focus is to help readers improve the accessibility and usability of their designs, and what can be learned from each problem scenario.