Design for Disability

jessicaryanndegwa

Hello, my name is Jessica and I am looking for disabled users that are interested in joining me in developing a collaborative hub that focuses on the re-designing of product aids (medical and non-medical aids) that are designed for a disabled market that you perceive as unattractive.

Would love to hear any open views on this! Would love to hear from you!
Thanks

Geo08

Hi @jessicaryanndegwa,

My name is George Russell and design of disability products and what future products to help with disability would look like is something I often think about. If you would like any help with anything please get in touch!

Thanks,
George

jessicaryanndegwa

Hi @Geo08

I would love the help, are their any particular  products you know of that you don't like? If so, please could you send me examples!

Jessica  

milo

Hi @jessicaryanndegwa . There are so many examples of equipment and devices that would benefit from a redesign that it is difficult to know where to begin. Personally I dislike the fact that so much equipment for use at home has a hospital/utilitarian look to it, also that disability seems to equate to elderly in the mind of so many designers. Sounds like you may be on to something, would love to hear more.

MSmum99

Yes Jessica, would be interested, trying to collect examples of well designed good looking eq on piinterest but very lIttle about.  Actually like design of my quickie Salsa Wheelchair, but when needed stairlift took a long time to find one not in clinical beige!

Geo08

I agree everything often looks very utilitarian in its design when it is made for disabled people. For example, I have a freeway t40 (i think) shower chair which comes in a single shade of grey. 

I personally see design for disabled products becoming much different in the coming years. For example this: http://www.robotdalen.se/en/article/en-poseidon-intelligent-shower-solution?language=en

jessicaryanndegwa

Thanks Geo08 for the example.

Hi Milo, I know. When I started this I looked at objects on the smaller side like button hook aids and zip pull aids, I am not yet at a stage of redesigning objects on the larger scale yet. It would be good to begin to just start building a network of people who are interested in exploring more of this area and by working together hopefully we can explore different products and build a group that we can start from, if this makes sense!?

milo

Hi @jessicaryanndegwa that makes perfect sense and it's something I'd like to be involved in if I can be of any help 

Geo08

I'm happy to help in any way I can. My personal dream is to have technology that can deal with personal care to allow me to be far more (if not completely) independant.

Might be a tad outside of your current scope Jessica, but I'm happy to give input on anything in the meantime

Cheers,
George

jessicaryanndegwa

Great to hear! Do you maybe want to give me your number so we can keep in contact? 

milo

Hi @jessicaryanndegwa not sure who that last message was for? I don't want to put my number on here but find me on Twitter as Andy_Cheape or FB as Andy Cheape 

jessicaryanndegwa

Hi Milo, sorry that was for you. That's cool I'll find you on Facebook. Thanks.