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

illustration of Molina Family Latino Gallery

We are thrilled to announce our participation in the highly anticipated 2023 AAM Annual Meeting & Museum Expo. As advocates for inclusive design, IHCD is dedicated to creating accessible environments that empower and engage all individuals. 

See Below for Exhibit Documents…

green and white New England ADA logo in center frame, in the background is an old New England church

We are thrilled the highly anticipated ADA Transition Plan webinar is now available on YouTube. This insightful and informative session provides crucial planning and budgeting tools that put accessibility at the forefront. 

The webinar addresses various critical topics, including:

Tall brick building with teal parking valet box

Boston Design Week is just around the corner, and we couldn't be more excited to invite you to IHCD's new headquarters in SoWA for a day-long open house immersion on April 25th. Our event will showcase the latest in Inclusive Design practices across transit, workplace, culture and higher…

image of Eli Abarbanel-Wolff man with milky skin and big smile he is wearing button light down shirt against a gray background s

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Elias Abarbanel-Wolff on April 4, 2023.  Eli had a 20+ year relationship with IHCD where he pursued his extraordinary global advocacy in our headquarters for more than five years and collaborated frequently.  Executive Director Valerie…

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