Identical products?
Manufacturers are often afraid that inclusive design would stop them producing distinctive products. The essence of this argument is that products for niche markets would disappear under the dead hand of regulation. One manufacturer exclaims "Design for All? There is no such thing! Could you imagine a pair of shoes designed in such a way that everybody would want to wear them?" (see reference 16). However this objection seems to confuse style with usability. Public buildings have had to be accessible for a number of years, and this has not meant that they look the same. Regulations impose safety and constructional standards on products without imposing uniformity and there is no reason to suppose that making them accessible need be any different.
Elderly people are not a homogeneous group (see reference 17), and every cultural set has disabled members. Designers need to continue to cater for the diverse tastes of the population while ensuring that the greatest possible number can use them
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