Definition:
Bolt-on describes a feature, adjustment, or policy that is added after a system has already been designed, rather than being integrated from the outset.
Usage Context:
Common in discussions of accessibility, inclusion, ethics, security, and sustainability, where concerns are addressed late in the design process through patches, workarounds, or special cases.
Critical Note:
Bolt-on solutions shift the burden of adaptation onto the user. They signal that certain needs were not considered worth designing for initially, and often fail under real-world conditions while allowing institutions to claim compliance.
Related Terms:
Accessibility Theatre, Performative Allyship, Compliance Framing, Language Laundering, Requirements Theatre