Within each capability section, guidance is provided to help design products and services that are more usable by people who are impaired in that capability.

The guidance provides suggestions and highlights issues that need to be considered, but is not a set of rules to be strictly followed, nor a list of items that can be 'checked' to guarantee a successful and inclusive design. The advice works effectively within the context of an Inclusive design process.

Successful application of the design guidance requires understanding the needs and characteristics of the target users, developed through a discovery phase at the start of the design process.

The design guidance should also be supplemented by consultation with experts in the relevant capabilities and with users who have capability losses (elaborated further within Knowledge and tools). Such consultation enables the guidance to be better interpreted, and can evaluate whether capability range of the target users matches appropriately with the demands made by the product or service.

For more information on using design guidance, see Nicolle and Abascal (2001).Nicolle C and Abascal J (2001) Inclusive design guidelines for HCI. Taylor and Francis, London UK.