Inclusive Futures: Designing Accessible Digital and Physical Worlds
Join us for a session focused on the principles of universal design, which seeks to create environments accessible and usable by everyone, regardless of age, size, ability, or disability. We will explore how digital solutions and technologies can be designed to accommodate individuals with visual, auditory, motor, and cognitive impairments. The discussion will highlight the crucial role of design in fostering inclusivity in both physical and digital spaces, showcasing examples where inclusive design has significantly enhanced user experiences. We will also emphasise the importance of collaborating with diverse user groups during the design process to ensure that all perspectives are considered.
Speakers
-
Björn BlockChief Digital Officer, Range - Inter IKEA GroupBjörn Block
Chief Digital Officer, Range - Inter IKEA Group
Björn Block is the Chief Digital Officer for IKEA Range, with the global responsibility for the digitalization of the IKEA range and integrated value chain, enabling IKEA to be an affordable, sustainable and accessible home furnishing retailer in an omnichannel reality. With his extensive experience and expertise in his field, Björn plays a vital role in advancing the company's goals amidst changing dynamics in the industry and society. Björn is a renowned speaker and acknowledged leader in digitalization and business transformation. Björn joined IKEA in 2012 as a Global Range Manager for the Lighting Business. In the coming years, he led a new initiative developing IKEA’s take on Internet of Things and smart homes, and established a new business for IKEA, named IKEA Home smart. He has also been responsible for the Digital Innovation and has established an innovation network across the different IKEA global businesses. With a background in industrial design, prior to IKEA, Björn spent ten years in the kitchen industry, leading range transformation, development and innovation as Senior Vice President Range for Nobia. With his highly inspirational and passionate leadership, Björn has together with his diverse team established a business lead digitalization journey, merging the IKEA values and life at home knowledge with world class digital expertise and agile ways of working.
-
Akanksha Deo SharmaDesigner, IKEA of SwedenAkanksha Deo Sharma
Designer, IKEA of Sweden
I'm an Indian multidisciplinary designer and artist, currently working for IKEA and has been recognised in Forbes India's 30 under 30 for my contributions to design and have won awards in Elle Decor and had one of my projects Forandring - managing the waste generated by harvesting rice exhibited at the Design Museum In London in 2021. I champion the democratisation of good design and collaborate with craft communities, incorporating traditional techniques with new and waste materials. My work practice and projects have been featured in esteemed publications such as Wallpaper, Dezeen, FRAME, Vogue and Elle. As a TEDx speaker and One Young World ambassador, I advocate for inclusivity and believe in design's power to drive positive behavioural change and make a positive impact on people and the planet. Based between Copenhagen and Malmö, I'm seeking to understand — and address — the ways in which society is evolving