ERGONOMICS AND DESIGN FOR ALL: ENHANCING INCLUSION THROUGH HUMAN-CENTERED DESIGN

Abstract

The goal of this volume of The Italian Journal of Ergonomics is to explore the intersection of Ergonomics and Design for All, examining how Human Factors knowledge and methods can support the development of inclusive, accessible, and user-centered systems across multiple design domains. As societies become increasingly diverse in abilities, needs, expectations, and contexts of use, the contributions collected here reaffirm ergonomics as a critical enabler of Design for All, understood not as a prescriptive set of solutions but as a transversal, person-centered design philosophy. Aligned with the vision of the IEA Technical Committee on Ergonomics in Design for All (EinDfA), this issue emphasizes the role of ergonomics in integrating real users, addressing expressed and unexpressed needs, and translating inclusivity into measurable, evidence-based design outcomes. Across diverse contexts, ranging from transport infrastructures and healthcare systems to homes, schools, museums, natural landscapes, and cities, the articles converge on a shared premise: inclusion is not an ancillary design goal but a foundational quality that emerges through the integration of ergonomic knowledge, participatory processes, and attention to human diversity. Rather than treating accessibility or usability as isolated requirements, the works presented here frame design as a relational process shaped by interactions among people, environments, technologies, and organizational structures. The contributions collectively articulate an advanced understanding of inclusive design as a systemic, evidence-based, and human-centered practice. However, four interrelated thematic clusters emerge, highlighting convergent issues, methods, and design implications.