Abstract
Diverse and Inclusive (D&I) Design is a concept gaining momentum. In the current climate, now more than ever, many companies are looking to incorporate diversity and inclusion as part of their business plan. It's important to consider diversity and inclusion early in the design phase of a project and consider the various aspects of the project's diverse workforce—age, race, gender, ability, economic status, and culture. When you review these factors early in the planning phase, you can save business time and costs, create a safer environment, and possibly avoid retrofitting equipment or facilities later.
At Hatch we recently started updating internal work procedures and workflows to provide tools for our project teams to ensure D&I is considered during the design phase. Designing a facility that is inclusive to all could impact the financial viability of the project. We have developed a model to help stakeholders prioritize and make decisions based on value—depending on the scenario, a business could realize reduced turnover, increased productivity, improved recruitment and community engagement, and enhanced safety. The following will be covered as part of this presentation:
What is D&I design
Why is it important
How do we ensure we are considering this?
What is the value?