Editor’s Note
This March, the media is dominated by one issue. That of women’s rights – particularly in the workplace. 12.8 million women in Australia make up just over 50 percent of the Australian population. It’s concerning that when we think of inclusion there are still such obvious changes needed to support what is a majority of the population
Why is this important? This International Women’s Day (IWD) I’ve started to think about what we can do to change the world we are in. How can inclusive design transform the agenda? In collaboration with the incredible team here at CfID, we have looked at what companies can do quite simply to set about transformational and systemic change.
If you have and queries or questions, we would love to hear from you. As always, you can find us at cfid.org.au or contact me directly at manisha.amin@cfid.org.au.
This newsletter was created on Gadigal Land. We recognise all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and Elders past, present and emerging.
Thank you,
Manisha Amin, CEO, Centre for Inclusive Design
Community News
Join Manisha Amin on Tuesday, March 23, 2021 (12pm PT) for my live interview with Melinda Briana Epler on Leading With Empathy & Allyship. They will explore how we can collectively “Engaging Leadership to Improve Diversity, Equity & Inclusion.”
Edit: Recording now available here : Leading with Empathy and Allyship
In April this year, SBS will be launching audio description on two additional channels, National Indigenous Television (NITV) and SBS World Movies. The service will be available on both free-to-air broadcast and VAST. This is a fantastic step forward for AD in Australia.
Just Launched: With, not For Podcast
This month, we launch our new initiative. The With, not For Podcast.
In each episode, our CEO Dr Manisha Amin facilitates insightful conversations with the people working in and with communities both in Australia and globally to design a world that works for humans. Our guests are transforming the way we think about inclusion in design and how we learn from each other. We explore a range of topics, from architecture, to cognitive bias, COVID responses and accessible technology. Our goal is to investigate the challenges of Inclusive Design, overcome its barriers and explore its possibilities. This podcast explores what the world can look like when we design with, not for.
In our first ever episode we speak with Pinar Guvenc. Pinar is a partner at SOUR, a human-centric architecture firm based in NY and Istanbul. Pinar is an amazing advocate for Inclusive Design and shares with us some incredible examples of true collaborative design and her experience being a woman the male dominated industry that is architecture. Look out for her tips on how to start conversations with diverse communities. You can find a transcript for the episode here.
The Inspiration Series
On Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD) in May 2020, we launched our Inspiration Series. We have curated a list of resources that our community and team find inspiring. Things to assist in furthering the conversations on accessibility for the uninitiated and those who live and breathe accessibility. We hope these resources help you help others to think, talk and learn more about digital inclusion. With GAAD 2021 coming up in a few months, please send us your favourite resources so we can share them with our wider community.
Why? I have been fortunate enough to work and learn from accomplished colleagues and peers who are successful in spite of having limited access to accessible educational material. They have inspired me to make access to information a passion.
Recommendation: Haben: The Deafblind Woman Who Conquered Harvard Law, by Haben Girma (physical book, audio book and e-book.)
Why? Impactful, interesting stories told with humour by and about a deaf-blind woman and her quest for inclusion and accessibility. Good reminder that accessibility and inclusive design are about people!