Design for Diversity

Wheelchair users - Budget flights to European cities
Here are a few things we have learnt through research (and common sense):
wheelchair users are generally people who found themselves in the unfortunate
situation of not being able to move about without the help of a wheelchair. Other than
this, there's no other significant aspect that sets them apart from the majority of the
population. From a social point of view, they want to fully participate as equal citizens
and would like to think the society is not marginalising them as a minority but on the
contrary - is treating them as equals while acknowledging the fact that they do have
special needs on areas that we otherwise take for granted, like travelling, shopping,
recreational activities etc.
Examples of barriers and requirements:

Public transport (buses, trains, taxis, airplanes etc.) - anything from steps at the bus
entrance, the gaps between the train and platform, special preparations in order to
board an airplane (providing the carrier is able to accommodate wheelchair users, which
is not always the case) etc.
Education. The major problem lies in the lack of wheelchair friendly facilities like ramps,
lifts, special study or canteen tables, etc. Ramps built are limited to a few areas in the
school only. They are supposed to be built in 'strategic' areas so that one ramp can
cover a large radius but this aspect is often neglected. Also in some cases, ramps are
too steep and the wheelchair bound may not be able to push themselves up.
Public places and buildings - curbs, stairs, narrow gateways, object causing
obstructions, steep ramps etc.
For this exercise, Adrian (my colleague I've been assigned to work with) and I have decided
to do an online banner/advert for one of the main carriers, like Easyjet. It was a natural
choice given that the vast majority of city breaks use airline carriers as a means to
transportation, and the booking is done through the internet most of the time.
We relied on the fact that there is a clear signage style that identifies wheelchair users
facilities, be that a parking space, toilet etc.. Signs are quite straight forward and easily
recognizable - so should be our advert.

Above, from left to right, the universal sign for wheelchair facilities and versions of the
final outcome. In the end we have chosen the far-right design, it is very simplistic yet
easy to understand its function once you read the text.