Playbook for universal design

Universal design methods for more inclusive solutions

Unfocus group Add/remove

Purpose:

The purpose of an unfocus group is to gain insights beyond barriers that can occur, by assembling a diverse group of people that might not be the obvious choice for a project. It goes on the principles of a focus group setting but using participants with wastly different backgrounds and experiences. 

Step by step Facilitating tips Materials needed Goes well with

Tips to include participants who are not able to:

See

Bring boundary objects that can be felt, or described by the other participants

Belong

Make sure the participants maintain a good tone to make everyone feel included

Focus

Reduce the group size to a max of 3 and reduce the time used. The session can be split up in multiple sessions if needed

Speak

Use a translator

Hear

Use a translator

Think

Reduce the group size to a max of 3 and reduce the time used. The session can be split up in multiple sessions if needed

Overview

Input

Material about the problem/solution

Output

Diverse perspectives of the problem/solution

Complexity

Simple - Moderate

Time

1-2 hours

Participants

3-5

Activity

Communication

Step by step:

  1. Identify different interest groups that could be interesting to bring in and discuss the project. This group should all be in some shape or form be exposed to the solution/problem, directly or indirectly and can contain participants that might be atypical. The important part is that the groups are not similar.

  2. Bring in one person from each group into a new group a maximum 5 people. This group should be very diverse.

  3. Facilitate a discussion that is stimulated by providing a range of materials or other relevant things that the group can experiment with and discuss over.

When doing this method you should consider:

Diversity might come with its challenges so make sure everyone is heard and that they feel free to come with their opinion.

Materials needed:

Boundary objects – presentation