What is possibility?
The Possibility Lens
In this VUCA (Volatile, Uncertain, Complex, Ambiguous) world, disruption happens swiftly. And any number of future currents – global pandemics, climate change, shifting societal attitudes, political upheaval, the aging population, AI and automation – have the potential to profoundly affect the state of accessibility globally.
Existing access challenges may escalate rapidly, or alternatively, be eliminated completely. Additionally, the historical, hard-fought-for wins of the accessibility movement have the potential to be quickly and dramatically impacted.
Possibility thinking is therefore critical to ensuring that we stay ahead of the design and innovation curve, inspiring and nurturing a future that is inherently accessible.
With
‘With’ lives at the heart of the Possibility lens.
Typically in the world of design, people with access needs and other groups are designed ‘to’ or ‘for’, which are often well intended but deeply patronising approaches. Rarely are we designed ‘with.’ The same opportunity to operate from a ‘to’ ‘for’ or ‘with’ paradigm, applies across all areas of our work, life and play as a society. At every moment of every day we get to choose wither we are advancing equity and fairness by employing an approach of ‘with’, or we ‘withhold’ our generosity and good will, reinforcing the old ways of doing things and preventing the birth of amore equitable world.
Do you choose to be a ‘with’ citizen? If so, get in touch to learn more.
The Possibility Spectrum
The Possibility spectrum is a simple framework that invites a rethinking of 'impairment' through a 21st century lens.
The Possibility spectrum represents the transition from the deficit-focused disability world view which sees access citizens as broken, as “other," and as a cost or burden. Reframing that to understanding the concept of accessibility, which recognizes we all have access needs and can ALL benefit from a more equitable society. And finally shifting to the Possibility world view where we are leading, designing and innovating all aspects of our future society and economy through a powerful and transformative lens of what is possible!
It’s through this lens of possibility that we view the world.
Why do we need Possibility now?
In this VUCA (Volatile, Uncertain, Complex, Ambiguous) world, disruption happens swiftly. And any number of future currents – global pandemics, climate change, shifting societal attitudes, political upheaval, the aging population, AI and automation – have the potential to profoundly affect the state of accessibility globally.
Existing access challenges may escalate rapidly, or alternatively, be eliminated completely. Additionally, the historical, hard-fought-for wins of the accessibility movement have the potential to be quickly and dramatically impacted.
Possibility thinking is therefore critical to ensuring that we stay ahead of the design and innovation curve, inspiring and nurturing a future that is inherently accessible.
“The possibility conversation frees people to innovate, challenge the status quo, and create new futures that make a difference.”
– Peter Block