Inclusivity

Software design and development needs to be inclusive of

1. Cultural Perspectives
2. Economic Perspectives
3. Social Perspectives
4. Gender Perspectives
5. Disability Perspectives

 

Access and equity to information via IT specifically in Australia needs to be addressed to the following groups avoiding any errors in stereotyping

women and men in non-traditional roles
people of low socio-economic status
rural and isolated people
people from non-English speaking background
people with disabilities
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples

ageing population

 

Most people will use a computer loaded with software at work. If this software is discrimatory then there will be some groups of people that will find it difficult to work efficiently. This will affect their promotional prospects and earning capacity.

For example, if the text is too small on the screen then a visually impaired person will have difficulty. If the design of the software only allows for navigation via a mouse then this will make life difficult for people who cannot develop this skill; a touch screen could be a better proposition.

Equal Employment Opportunity is covered by state government law. The sentiments listed in their web site http://www.eeo.nsw.gov.au/ gives a perspective on inclusivity.

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) is about:

• making sure that workplaces are free from all forms of unlawful discrimination and harassment
• providing programs to assist members of EEO groups to overcome past or present disadvantage.

This means having workplace rules, policies, practices and behaviours that are fair and do not disadvantage people because they belong to particular groups.

In such an environment, all workers are valued and respected and have opportunities to develop their full potential and pursue a career path of their choice.

EEO groups are people affected by past or continuing disadvantage or discrimination in employment. As a result they may be more likely to be unemployed or working in lower paid jobs.