How Inclusive Design is Transforming Digital Experiences in 2025

Design used to be about making things look good. In 2025, it’s about making them work for everyone.

People don’t interact with your website, app, or product in the same way. We all have different needs, different devices, and different contexts. So, if your design only works for one type of user, you’re leaving people behind and losing business in the process.

Inclusive design is about changing that. It means creating digital experiences that work for more people, more of the time. It’s not about ticking boxes. It’s about designing with real users in mind from the start, not just the ones who look, move, or think like you.

Accessibility plays a big part, but it’s not the whole story. Inclusive design goes further. It considers language, culture, ability, location, neurodiversity, and tech literacy. It’s about empathy, flexibility, and smart decisions that make your product easier to use for everyone.

And let’s be honest, users expect better now. If your platform isn’t inclusive, someone else’s will be.

What Is Inclusive Design?

Let’s clear something up first: Inclusive design isn’t just about accessibility. Yes, accessibility is part of it. But inclusive design looks at the whole picture.

It’s about designing from the start with the understanding that people are different. Different needs. Different backgrounds. Different ways of using your site, your app, and your product.

Accessibility in UX often focuses on making things usable for people with specific impairments. Think screen readers, keyboard navigation, and colour contrast. Inclusive design goes a step further. It asks:

• Can someone with limited tech skills still use this easily?
• What about someone reading in a second language?
• Would this layout overwhelm someone with ADHD or sensory sensitivities?
• Does our tone of voice speak to a global, diverse audience, not just one demographic?

It’s not about watering your brand down. It’s about designing in a way that feels welcoming, thoughtful, and usable for more people, in more real-world scenarios.

Here’s the simplest way to put it:

• Accessibility = Can they use it?
• Inclusive design = Do they feel like it was made for them?

That difference is where the real impact happens.

Why Inclusive Design Matters in 2025

If you’ve ever opened a website and felt overwhelmed, confused, or like it wasn’t meant for you, you already understand why inclusive design matters. Chances are, some of your users have felt the same way on your platform.

In 2025, users are more diverse, more digitally fluent, and far less patient. They expect things to work for them, regardless of how they access the web, what language they speak, or whether they’re using a laptop, phone, screen reader, or voice assistant.

So, let’s take a look at the importance of inclusive design for your business.

1. You widen your reach

Inclusive design doesn’t just benefit a few; it opens your digital space up to everyone. Millions of people face barriers online every day. When you remove those, you’re not just doing the right thing, you’re growing your audience.

2. You future-proof your product

Regulations are tightening, user expectations are rising, and technology keeps evolving. Designing with inclusivity in mind now means you won’t be scrambling to catch up later. It’s a proactive approach, not a reactive fix.

3. It makes business sense

Put bluntly, inclusive design increases conversions. Better UX means happier users. Happier users stick around, buy more, and come back. It also reduces friction and support costs. Everyone wins.

4. It shapes your brand reputation

In 2025, people care about how brands show up. Inclusive design is part of that. It sends a message: We thought about you. That kind of consideration builds loyalty faster than any campaign ever could.

This isn’t just a design trend. It’s a mindset shift. And it’s changing how brands think about digital, from design sprints to long-term strategy. Those who take it seriously are the ones leading the pack.

Inclusive Design Principles to Follow

Inclusive design isn’t about following a checklist. It’s about making thoughtful choices at every stage of your digital experience that make your product easier and more welcoming for more people.

Here are the key inclusive design best practices to follow in 2025. They’re not rules, but they are the foundation of design that works for real users, not just ideal ones.

Design for difference, not the average

There is no “normal” user. People engage with your platform in wildly different ways. Inclusive design assumes variability from the start, as standard. Build for that, and you make better experiences for everyone.

Offer flexibility in how people engage

Some users scroll with a mouse, others tab with a keyboard, some use voice commands, some prefer audio, and others need captions. Design should adapt to users, not force users to adapt to design.

Clarity beats cleverness

Clean, clear interfaces outperform overdesigned ones, especially for users with cognitive differences, low vision, or limited tech experience. If someone has to think too hard to understand your content or navigate your site, it’s already not inclusive.

Test with diverse users, not just your team

If everyone testing your design thinks like your team, you’re missing critical feedback. Inclusive brands test early and often with real people across ages, abilities, languages, and devices.

Inclusive ≠ boring

This one’s important: designing inclusively doesn’t mean stripping away personality. In fact, inclusive brands often have stronger identities. They’ve made intentional choices to connect clearly with the right tone, visuals, structure, and rhythm.

Inclusive design is about respect. Respect for your users’ time, their needs, their differences, and their right to be part of the experience.

Inclusive Design Trends in 2025

Inclusive design isn’t standing still. As technology, culture, and user expectations evolve, so do the methods and mindsets behind truly inclusive digital experiences. And in 2025, we’re seeing some clear shifts that savvy brands are already embracing.

1. Neuro-inclusive UX is becoming standard, not niche

More designers are thinking about neurodiversity from the start. That means creating experiences that reduce cognitive load, offer structure without clutter, and avoid overwhelming animations or excessive noise.

Expect to see:

• Cleaner layouts with fewer distractions
• Optional motion settings to reduce sensory overload
• Flexible reading experiences, like adjustable line spacing or focus modes
• Content density toggles so users can choose a simplified or detailed view
• Predictable navigation and layout patterns that support ease and comfort

2. Alt text and captions are getting a creative upgrade

No more generic “Image of woman smiling.” Brands are learning that accessibility features can be on-brand. Well-written alt text and captions are part of the experience.

In 2025, we’re seeing brands craft alt text with tone, clarity, and personality. It’s not an afterthought; it’s copywriting.

3. Voice-first experiences are growing

With more users engaging via smart speakers, wearables, and voice search, interfaces that support voice are becoming vital to an inclusive strategy. They unlock convenience for everyone.

Think voice navigation, audio feedback, and conversational content. Designing with voice in mind is a core accessibility layer.

4. Inclusive illustrations and visuals are expected

Representation in design assets matters more than ever. Brands are moving beyond default avatars and stock-style imagery to include diverse skin tones, body types, ages, and abilities in their visuals.

It’s about helping users see themselves in your product and trust that they belong.

5. Plain language is replacing corporate speak

More brands are ditching jargon in favour of clear, simple, human-first copy. Why? Because clarity = inclusion. Whether someone’s neurodiverse, new to a language, or just skimming on mobile, plain language gets the job done.

Technologies Driving Inclusive Digital Experiences

If you’re building digital products today, you’ve probably noticed the toolkit is expanding fast. But the real question is: are you using these tools to include more people, or just to build faster?

The best teams in 2025 are doing both. They’re leaning into emerging tech not just for efficiency, but to create experiences that work better for more people, and it’s changing what “inclusive” can look like.

Let’s take a look at some of the technologies that are pushing inclusivity forward and how they can work for you.

AI-driven personalisation

Used properly, AI helps users engage on their terms. Think smart content recommendations, reading modes that adapt based on behaviour, or automatic adjustments in contrast and font size based on user preferences.

It’s not about over-personalising. It’s about offering gentle, meaningful choices without users needing to dig for settings.

Voice technology

With more people relying on audio-first interactions, either by choice or necessity, Voice User Interfaces (VUI) are becoming key to inclusive design.

This includes navigation by voice, accessible search tools, and interfaces that talk back in ways that make sense across languages, dialects, and contexts.

And no, this isn’t just about smart speakers. We’re talking wearables, mobile apps, even in-car experiences.

Real-time translation and localisation tools

Language should never be a barrier to entry. Tools that support live translation, culturally aware localisation, and dynamic content adaptation are making it easier to design for a global audience, without losing brand voice or UX quality.

Haptic feedback and alternative input systems

Not everyone taps or clicks. Some people swipe. Some use switches or eye tracking. Some rely on vibration feedback to confirm actions. These technologies are happening now, and inclusive design means recognising them as valid interaction methods.

Low-bandwidth design tools

Inclusivity also means designing for people without the latest devices or the fastest Wi-Fi. Progressive enhancement, offline modes, and efficient code all help ensure your experience reaches users in less-than-perfect conditions.

You don’t need to use every tool on this list. But knowing what’s out there and why it matters helps you make more inclusive decisions.

Real Brands Doing Inclusive Design Right

So, let’s take a look at some brands that have incorporated elements for inclusive design in their digital experiences.

Microsoft – A company that actually walks the talk

Microsoft didn’t just publish inclusive design principles, they use them. Across Windows, Office, Teams, and even Xbox, you’ll find features that genuinely make life easier for people with a wide range of needs.

The Xbox Adaptive Controller, for example, isn’t a token gesture. It was developed with direct input from gamers with limited mobility. And within Office, features like voice dictation, high-contrast modes, and the Accessibility Checker aren’t hidden away; they’re part of the core user experience.

Image credit: Xbox Adaptive Controller

This is what it looks like when inclusion is embedded, not just added on top. Their approach has become a reference point for how to design at scale without losing sight of individual needs.

Pinterest – Rethinking UX through a neurodivergent lens

Pinterest’s platform is naturally visual, which could easily be overwhelming. But their design team made some smart decisions to keep things calm, clear, and usable, especially for users with ADHD or sensory sensitivities.

Image credit: Pinterest

They introduced more consistent spacing, simplified the interface, and reduced visual noise, without making it feel sterile. They also added filters to help users refine results by skin tone and hair pattern in beauty categories. That kind of specificity helps more users feel seen, without making it a big statement.

What Pinterest proves is that inclusive UX isn’t always about adding features. Sometimes it’s about removing friction quietly, intentionally, and in ways most people won’t even notice. And that’s the point.

Airbnb – Localised, human-centred design at scale

When Airbnb redesigned their booking flow, they didn’t just look at conversion rates. They looked at how people from every corner of the world interact with the platform, i.e. different languages, currencies, reading patterns, and device behaviours.

Their team takes cultural nuance seriously. It’s not simply translation. It’s localisation with empathy. For example, they don’t assume the same tone works globally. The design and voice flex depending on the region, without losing brand consistency.

And in terms of visuals, Airbnb made a point of showcasing a wider range of hosts and travellers in their imagery. This is something that sounds simple, but has a big impact when you’re trying to reflect real users.

Image credit: Airbnb

Challenges of Inclusive Design and How to Actually Overcome Them

Inclusive design isn’t always easy to implement. If it were, every product out there would already be accessible, representative, and intuitive for all users. But most aren’t.

Whether you’re running a lean team, working with legacy systems, or trying to retrofit accessibility into an existing platform, barriers are real. But they’re not impossible to work through; you just need the right mindset and some practical moves.

Here’s what typically gets in the way, and what to do about it.

“It’s too complex to prioritise right now.”

This one comes up a lot, especially during fast-paced product sprints. Inclusive features often get bumped to a future phase because they’re seen as nice-to-have, not essential.

The fix

Reframe inclusivity as a usability issue, not a feature. What helps a neurodivergent user navigate better will likely improve the experience for everyone. Small shifts, like clearer labels, better contrast, or keyboard navigation, don’t have to be expensive or time-consuming. They just have to be intentional.

“We don’t have the budget for that.”

Here’s the thing: inclusive design isn’t about building custom tools for every possible edge case. It’s about making design decisions that reduce exclusion from the start. That doesn’t require more budget, it requires better planning.

The fix

Bake inclusive practices into your existing workflows. Make them part of your QA checklist. Use open-source accessibility tools. And when possible, test your work with real users early on, even just a few testers from different backgrounds or needs can offer incredible insight.

“We don’t know where to start.”

Totally fair, especially if your brand has never formally addressed accessibility or inclusive practices before.

The fix

Start small. Audit your current experience. Pick one area, like your signup flow or mobile navigation, and ask: Would this work for someone with low vision? Or someone using voice input? Or someone who doesn’t speak English as a first language? That one question alone will expose where your design might be unintentionally leaving people out.

“We’re worried it’ll water down the brand.”

This usually comes from a fear of losing creative control or personality by simplifying things “too much.”

The fix

Inclusive doesn’t mean bland. Some of the most distinctive brands, like Apple, have strong, inclusive voices and design systems. Good inclusive design sharpens your identity because it forces you to be more intentional. Less filler, more meaning.

Designing for Everyone Starts with Intention

The best digital experiences in 2025 aren’t just beautiful or fast. They’re thoughtful, they work for more people, in more contexts, with fewer barriers. That’s what inclusive design delivers, and that’s why it’s no longer optional.

If you’re serious about building something that lasts, something people remember and return to, you need to ask more from your design. Not just “Does this look good?” but “Who is this for, and who’s being left out?”

Inclusive design isn’t about being perfect. It’s about making better decisions, one layer at a time, with real people in mind.

At Appnova, we help brands create digital experiences that don’t just work, they welcome. Whether you’re refining your UX, rethinking your brand voice, or designing from scratch, we bring a user-first mindset shaped by real inclusion, not assumptions.

Looking for a partner to help you design with clarity, impact, and intention? Let’s talk. Your users are ready, and they deserve better. So do you. Work with a trusted digital design agency that understands inclusive strategy inside out.