Inclusive Design for a Digital World (2nd Edition)

Inclusive Design for a Digital World challenges us to slow down, ask better questions, and design technology with real people, not assumptions, at the center.

Written by UX design professor, researcher, and industry leader Regine M. Gilbert, this second edition expands on her widely respected work by addressing how rapidly evolving technologies are reshaping the accessibility and inclusion landscape. With more than 500 pages of insight, reflection, and practical guidance, this book invites designers, developers, and product teams to rethink how digital systems, products, and tools are conceived, built, and maintained.

Rather than treating accessibility as a box to check at the end of a project, Gilbert reframes inclusive design as a mindset and a responsibility. One rooted in empathy, awareness, and an honest examination of who is being excluded, and why. Throughout the book, she draws on her academic background, professional experience, and global perspective to explore inclusive design across websites, mobile apps, enterprise systems, video games, and emerging technologies.

This updated edition reflects the realities of today’s digital ecosystem. It includes in-depth discussion of WCAG 2.2, international accessibility standards, and the European Accessibility Act, helping readers understand how policy, standards, and real-world implementation intersect. Gilbert goes beyond surface-level explanations, offering context for why these standards matter and how they impact people’s ability to participate fully in digital life.

A major focus of this edition is the intersection of AI and accessibility. Gilbert examines both the promise and the risk of machine learning, automation, and algorithmic decision-making. She explores how AI can support accessibility when designed thoughtfully, and how it can reinforce bias and exclusion when it is not. Readers are encouraged to critically evaluate emerging technologies, question default assumptions, and consider the ethical implications of the systems they help create.

What makes this book especially compelling is its structure. It is not a fix-it manual or a rigid how-to guide. Instead, it is a collection of essays, case studies, examples, and reflective prompts that encourage deeper thinking. Whether you are designing a subway kiosk, an AI-powered chatbot, a learning platform, a healthcare interface, or a game environment, Gilbert consistently brings the conversation back to human experience, participation, and belonging.

By the end of the book, readers walk away not just with technical knowledge, but with a stronger framework for inclusive decision-making. You learn how to recognize exclusion early, incorporate diverse perspectives into research and testing, and build systems that allow more people to engage, contribute, and thrive from the start.

Inclusive Design for a Digital World, Second Edition is essential reading for designers, developers, researchers, product managers, content strategists, educators, and technologists who want to embed inclusion throughout the digital product lifecycle. It is particularly valuable for those exploring how accessibility, AI, and emerging technologies intersect, and for anyone committed to designing digital experiences that serve a broader, more representative world.