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AI, Universal Design and Government: getting it right from the start

  Artificial intelligence is already shaping how government communicates, designs services, analyses information and supports decision-making. That creates real opportunities - but it also creates real risks. If AI is introduced without enough thought, it can make services harder to access, harder to understand, less transparent and less fair. It can create new barriers for people with disability, amplify bias, erode privacy and reduce trust. A universal design approach helps shift the conversation. Instead of asking only whether AI is efficient or innovative, it asks:  who might be excluded, who might be harmed, and what needs to be built in from the beginning so the system works for a wider range of people? For Victorian government organisations, that approach also supports compliance with existing obligations around accessibility, discrimination, privacy, human rights and accountable public administration. Current Victorian guidance on generative AI in the public sector, Au...
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The nexus between universal design, ethics and the use of Al

Artificial Intelligence is rapidly becoming part of everyday systems - from customer service chatbots and automated decision tools to content generation and data analysis. As these systems become more embedded in how organisations operate, an important question emerges: How do we ensure AI works for human diversity rather than reinforcing existing barriers? This is where universal design and ethics become essential. Both provide lenses that help us think more carefully about how technologies are developed and used. Universal design starts with human diversity Universal design is based on a simple idea: people are diverse . We differ in our abilities, experiences, language, culture, knowledge, preferences and circumstances. Good design acknowledges this diversity from the beginning rather than treating difference as an afterthought. In practice this means asking questions such as: Who are we designing for? Who might be excluded? What assumptions are we making about users?...
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  Designing for Everyone: A Guide to the 7 Principles and 8 Goals of Universal Design I. Introduction: What is Universal Design? Defining Universal Design: Designing for All, from the Outset Universal Design (UD) represents a transformative philosophy centered on creating products and environments that are inherently usable by all people, to the greatest extent possible, without the need for adaptation or specialized design. 1 This foundational approach ensures that the diverse needs of potential users are considered and integrated from the very inception of a design project, rather than being addressed as an afterthought or through costly modifications later on. 3 The concept of Universal Design was first articulated in the mid-1980s by Ronald Mace, a prominent architect and advocate for people with disabilities. Mace's pioneering work focused on advancing the design of barrier-free buildings, laying the groundwork for a broader understanding of inclusive environments. 2 ...
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