InsightsDesign for AllInterview
Why is Design for All a cultural issue, not only a technical one?
Francesco Rodighiero on Rai Radio 3: Design for All at the heart of the cultural debate
As a guest on Rai Radio 3’s “A3 – Il formato dell’arte”, Francesco Rodighiero spoke about accessibility as a matter of design culture rather than compliance. The BTicino Linea 5000 case and a critical look at Milan Design Week.
· updated 3 min read
On 12 April 2025, on the programme “A3 – Il formato dell’arte”, broadcast on Rai Radio 3 (opens in a new tab), Francesco Rodighiero shared his thoughts and experience on the role of accessibility in contemporary design culture: a matter of design culture, not of compliance. The programme, known for its cross-disciplinary approach to the languages of art, architecture and design, opened a critical discussion on the value of inclusion in creative and production processes.
The interview with Francesco Rodighiero on “A3 – Il formato dell’arte”, Rai Radio 3, 12 April 2025
During the interview, Rodighiero explained Design for All, the approach shared by his studio and by Design for All Italia, the association he chairs, with particular attention to a design model that goes beyond the conventions of traditional design. It starts by actually listening to users and integrates tools for analysis and data collection, so as to respond concretely to the needs of an increasingly diverse population. It is not only about meeting regulatory requirements, but about creating long-term value through spaces and objects that everyone can use.
The BTicino Linea 5000 case
Among the case studies presented, the collaboration with BTicino (opens in a new tab) on the user interface of Linea 5000, the outdoor video door-entry panel, attracted particular interest. The studio’s contribution, comprising UX and UI analysis and design, addressed the hierarchy of content and the sequence of actions required, so that the interface would be understandable to older people and to people with sensory disabilities too. In 2025 Linea 5000 received the iF Design Award (opens in a new tab). The process is documented in the case study published by the Design for All Italia association (opens in a new tab); other cases are collected in our case studies.
A critical look at Milan Design Week
Rodighiero also offered a critical reflection on Milan Design Week, highlighting how the major events in the sector continue to favour an exclusive aesthetic that rarely pays attention to the diversity of users. He did, however, note signs of openness and a growing attention to more responsible and aware design, able to look beyond trends and respond to genuine, widely shared needs.
The episode reaffirms the urgent need for a new design culture that puts accessibility at its centre, not as a constraint but as a resource for innovation and social cohesion. In line with the vision of Rodighiero.Design for All, which practises Design for All and Inclusive Design as two distinct approaches, the aim is to contribute to systemic change towards inclusive, functional and shared environments that improve the quality of everyday life and create lasting cultural value. Our page on Design for All and Inclusive Design consultancy describes how we work with companies, public bodies and designers.
In our projects
- OpenCo-Design
- DemìCo-Design · Design for All
- GiottoDesign for All
- ShadeDesign for All
- FlightCo-Design · Design for All
- PrimeCo-Design · Design for All
- ShineDesign for All
- FlatDesign for All
- DfA ItaliaCo-Design · Design for All
- Accessible museumsCo-Design · Design for All
- HackabilityCo-Design
- SherlockCo-Design · Design for All
Read next
- News and eventsDesign for All Process: the Florence event of 17 October 2026What did the Design for All Process event in Florence bring together?
- InterviewInclusive design: the Design for All approach on Radio Canale ItaliaWhat is inclusive design, as explained on the radio?
- News and eventsDesign for All Italia: a new section in our portfolioWhich projects has the studio developed with Design for All Italia?
Accessibility as design culture
Companies, public bodies and designers: we work to bring inclusion into the project from the very start, as a cultural choice rather than a matter of compliance.