Institute for Human Centered Design

Dedicated to enhancing the experiences
of people of all ages, abilities, and cultures
through excellence in design.
Let's Work Together

The Changing Reality of Disability in America: 2020

This documentary film and research project reexamines the experience of disability in America, and shines a light on the stories of those all too often left behind. Watch the documentary below and read the full research report.

Services

An education lecture at IHCD

Education

Opportunities for learning through IHCD include a Lunch & Learn series, trainings, workshops and events. Internship and fellowship opportunities are also available all-year-round.

People discussing design

Consulting

Our scope for consulting includes, among others, plan reviews, assessment of accessibility in the built environment and testing of digital and web accessibility.

Employees designing on computers

Design

IHCD works with entrepreneurs, designers and businesses to evaluate concepts, prototypes or existing designs to assess usability for the widest possible spectrum of people.

A blind user testing a prototype

Research

IHCD has an established database of user/experts, chosen for each opportunity to find the best match between the person and the project.

Services

Inclusive Design

Inclusive design is design that works for the widest sepctrum of users without the need for specialized adaptation, It centers around the user experience with a focus on social sustainability. IHCD uses the World Health Organization’s Definition of Disability as the foundation for our consulting and research work in the field and in our user/expert lab. We believe that good design must work not only for as many users as possible, but also enhance everyone’s experience.

Inclusive Design
a woman reading about inclusive design in the home

News & Events

Collage of IHCD staff and engaged Boston Design Week 2023 attendees

Boston Design Week | Join us for an Immersive Open House on SoWa First Friday, May 3rd

We invite you to our day-long open house focused on Inclusive Design on SoWa's First Friday, May 3rd. This event marks IHCD's expanded educational commitment, aiming to impart impactful insights through shared stories and lived experiences.

Attendees…

main entrance of Ontario College of Art & Design University (OCADU)

OCAD University Announces New Black Studies Design & Art Minor

Ontario College of Art & Design (OCAD) University is proud to unveil its pioneering Black Studies Design & Art minor program, becoming the first Canadian AICAD school to offer it.

Dr. Kathy Moscou, Interim Dean of the Faculty of Design, emphasizes its significance in amplifying…

Marsha Maytum a women with milky-colored skin and short blonde hair tucked behind her ears. She is wearing black square frame glasses and a bright smile.

Remembering Marsha Maytum: Architect and Inclusive Design Advocate

Renowned architect Marsha Maytum, co-founder of Leddy Maytum Stacy Architects (LMSA), passed away on February 10 at the age of 69 after bravely battling amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). While celebrated for her groundbreaking work in green design, Maytum's legacy extends far beyond her…

The Institute for Human Centered Design logo with slogan Designing Inclusively, Educating Globally

RSVP for Our Webcast on Feb. 22, 2024

With this webcast, IHCD introduces an expanded education commitment. We plan to roll out a mix of webcasts, podcasts, interviews, and case studies this year. We believe that sharing stories and real experience delivers the most impact.

Chris Downey lost his sight…

News & Events

User/Expert Lab

A user/expert is a person who has developed expertise by means of their lived experience in dealing with the challenges of the environment due to a physical, sensory or cognitive functional limitation. IHCD has an established database of user/experts who range from adolescents to people in their ‘80s. Participants help review the usability and accessibility of physical environments as well as products, services and new technologies.

two blind users sitting on a couch

New England ADA Center

IHCD is home to the New England ADA Center; the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a comprehensive federal civil rights law that prohibits discrimination in all aspects of life on the basis of disability. There are five Titles within the ADA that outline rights and responsibilities of employers, state and local government, businesses and non-profits, architects and designers and individuals and advocates, and IHCD strives to help customers reach standards set by these titles.

ADA 30th anniversary logo
New England ADA

About Us

A blind man reading with his dog

Mission

We are committed to advancing the role of design in expanding opportunity and enhancing experience for people of all ages, abilities and cultures through excellence in design.

Valerie Fletcher with a group of students

Team

IHCD has built a large family of friends and allies over 30 years, and we are proud to say that this inner circle is characterized by both longevity of commitment and an appetite for the next frontier.

The outside view on IHCD's offices

Directions

IHCD is located at 560 Harrison Ave, Unit 401, Boston, MA 02114.

Visit the directions page for more detailed directions.

Sherll, IHCD's administrative assistant answering the phone.

Contact

Telephone:
1 (617) 695-1225 (v/tty)

Fax: 1 (617) 482-8099
Email: info@IHCDesign.org

About Us