Accessibility & Inclusivity in the Beauty Industry - The beauty industry often equates inclusivity with shade range, but it should extend to marketing representation, independent shopping experiences, product identification by touch, and ease of opening [7] - Universal design benefits everyone, not just disabled people, and should be intentionally integrated into product design [9][12] - Including disabled people in the design process leads to innovation and products that are better for everyone [17][19] Market Opportunity - The global disability market exceeds 15 billion people with a disposable income of over 26 trillion in Europe and North America alone [20] - Brands that embrace universal design are more competitive, inclusive, and future-forward, and those that don't are missing out on a significant market opportunity [21] - Disability drives innovation, which in turn drives results and increased product sales [23] Design & Innovation - Tactile markers, clear gradients, and scent cues are examples of accidental universal design that can be intentionally implemented [11][12] - Rare Beauty's accessible packaging, designed with input from a blind woman and considering Selena Gomez's lupus, demonstrates the benefits of inclusive design [15][16] - Universal design is not just about compliance, but about empathy and creativity, adding value to products rather than detracting from them [19]

Core Argument - The design industry predominantly focuses on visual aspects, neglecting other senses, leading to an impoverished environment [5][6][7] - The industry should shift from sight-centered design to sense-centered design, incorporating touch, hearing, scent, and memory to create richer, more responsive, and human-centered spaces [23][24] - The industry needs to involve all users in the design process, not just experts, to create spaces that belong to everyone [21][22][23] Sensory Design & Empathy - The industry can learn from visually impaired individuals to understand how to navigate spaces through all senses [3][4][5] - Experiential exercises, such as using low vision simulators and blindfolds, can foster empathy and inform design thinking [10][11] - Integrating sensory experiences and empathy into the design process can lead to more inclusive and user-friendly spaces [13][24] Design Tools & Communication - The industry can utilize tools like sensory design cards to facilitate communication between educators, students, stakeholders, and architects [14][15][20] - These cards can bridge the gap between technical expertise and user experience, enabling mutual understanding and collaborative decision-making [15][16][20] - The design cards categorize sensory considerations like clarity, acoustics, environmental sensory, pathfinding, materials, textures, and lighting [18]