At Invention Squad we are strong advocates for inclusive design. We support design learning that applies an understanding of user diversity and special needs to create products that better satisfy the needs of a larger number of people.
AXS maps (24 September 2014)
The Curb-Cut Effect
by John Willis
Inclusive design should be used as an engine to create benefits for the wider society and economy. This happens when we find design solutions that are inspired by the experiences of people with disabilities but which many others find beneficial. These are called ‘curb cut effects’ – a term that comes from the well-known rounding of curbs to enable wheelchair access, but which are used widely by children on bicycles, parents with strollers, and anyone with a wheeled sidewalk vehicle such as a buggy, barrow, wagon, roller-blades, or shopping cart.
Other curb cuts you will have heard of:
- The first typewriter, invented in 1808 to assist a blind Italian Countess to write legibly.
- The telephone, developed in part to support Alexander Graham Bell’s work with the deaf and hard-of-hearing community.
- The first flatbed scanners and and omni-font optical character recognition (OCR) did not exist back the early 1970s, until Ray Kurzweil created them for his ‘Kurzweil Reading Machine’ – a device to help blind people read.
- Semantic HTML, which makes internet content accessible to screen readers by separating the meaning from the format so that a local ‘style sheet’ can determine how a webpage appears on-screen – a boon social networking and automation of all kinds on the ‘net.
(Find more examples in the past 200 years at The Electronic Curb-Cut.)
These are the kinds of powerful levers of social and economic development that can result from a participatory design approach. Designers need to engage directly with the people at the margin, the people who experience physical, cognitive, emotional or sensory barriers to full inclusion in our society. Ironically, though they are excluded in many ways these individuals’ experiences can open new vistas of development and design that have been yet un-thought and under-resourced.
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John Willis is a low-vision candidate for the Master of Design (MDes) in Inclusive Design at OCAD University in Toronto.
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Below are some clever projects by others that support full accessibility:
A Watch for Blind People (28 October 2014)
The Bradley Timepiece is a beautifully designed watch for blind people that is not only functional but is also beautifully designed. Most of the people buying it are sighted and it is up for design of the year at London's Design Museum. Read more about how it works in this article by Chris Stokel-Walker:
http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-26920782
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Really Useful Things (2 October 2014)
Here, Duncan E., showcases three very simple, yet useful, and beautifully designed products by Such and Such Design. They are designed for the disabled but many others can benefit from them too. The universal design concept that sits at the heart of the products is what makes them so effective.
http://disabilityhorizons.com/2012/11/disability-products-really-useful-things-from-such-and-such-design/
This clamp secures walking sticks together
This clip on addition gives mugs an extra handle
This straw clip allows for hands free drinking
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Google's Driverless Car (24 September 2014)
This is a great video showing how the car works and peoples' reaction to it. Amazing!
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AXS maps (24 September 2014)
AXS Maps is a project if Jason DaSilva, a US film-maker who wanted to make it easy for anyone, in any community, to create maps of accessible places, businesses, and attractions. It's an open system that you can help to build by rating their entryways, washrooms, customer service, and other features of the places you go.
You don't need to enter the name or address of a business in order to rate it because AXS Maps are already populated with an index of businesses that are pulled from Google Maps. (You do need to join AXS Maps, though, which means giving your name and email address.)
The site also allows you to search by town or business so you can find accessibility information before you head out the door.
And there are group 'mapathons' that you can launch or take part in - a fun way to discover your area with new friends!
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SparkTruck (14th September 2014)
Check this out! A team of three masters students from Stanford Design School came up with the idea of SparkTruck. This is an educational build mobile -equipped with a laser cutter, 3D-printer, laminator, a clay baking oven and a full range of traditional hand tools. In 2012 and 2013 it travelled over 15,000 miles visiting schools, clubs and museums to bring design challenges to elementary school kids. Their mission to introduce more prototyping and hands-on creativity into classrooms across the USA.
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Google recently bought a hi-tech spoon firm (17 September 2014)
Google's latest acquisition in the health care sector is a firm that makes a spoon to help people with Parkinson's disease. The spoon, dubbed Liftware, uses vibrations to counteract the tremors brought on by the disease by up to 70%.
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Ski 'frame' transforms skiing experience for disabled children
A final year product design student at Nottingham Trent University has designed and manufactured an innovative piece of skiing equipment that is set to revolutionise the sport’s experience for disabled children. Carl Rodrigues’ new ski frame seeks to reduce the stigma commonly attached to products designed for the disabled." by dpa
Unlike other skiing products for the disabled where the person with special needs is seated, this design mimics the actual experience of skiing much more closely.
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CARRIER Robotic Wheelchair (21 August 2014)
"Wheelchairs are a dime a dozen but the advent of advance and affordable robotics is truly enabling the disabled. The CARRIER Wheelchair does almost everything – making sure the user is fully independent, capable of traversing any terrain and situation.
The frame is specially shaped to maneuver over a commode. A “trap door” opens so you can use the toilet in a dignified manner. No need for awkward transfers or assisted lifts. Stairs and inclines are a cinch too. A “Galileo Wheel” combines a wheel and track into a single drive with advantages from both. The entire chair even lifts to help you reach higher objects.
Nice concept tho not the first of its kind – the CARRIER seems well thought out and ripe for production. Hey, I’m all for design that can improve quality of life.
The CARRIER was developed as semesterproject at the University of Applied Arts in the Studio Industrial Design 2 Esslinger. (www.creativednaaustria.com)" originally posted by Design WOO.
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The Toe Mouse (19 August 2014)
"The Toe Mouse holds a certain degree of guarantee that there are definitely countless numbers of physically handicapped individuals who will benefit from this, but it’s not just them who will get to take advantage of this technology. Game enthusiasts who keep searching for another ‘arm’, and the animators/modelers who want to multi-task or work on several monitors without having to use their arms will also benefit from such an amazing invention." by Techtorial.
http://pinoytutorial.com/techtorial/flip-flop-toe-mouse-design-for-the-disabled/
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Nosey Cup (11 June 2014)
Here are two designs available from Patterson Medical (http://www.pattersonmedical.ca) for the nosey cup. The cup has a cut-away rim that makes drinking easier for people who cannot tilt their head back. The cup is notched to allow room for the nose and eyeglasses when the cup is tilted. It is an elegant and simple solution to a real need.
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New technology could help seniors stay independent longer (2 June 2014)
"There are plenty of apps and gadgets hitting the markets these days, but very little of that technology is geared toward the aging population, soon to be the dominant demographic in Canada." This CBC article highlights the need for more companies to focus on the design of accessible products for the elderly. As it can take up to twenty years for a product to get to market, as a society we really need to develop solutions as soon as possible.
http://www.cbc.ca/news/business/new-technology-could-help-seniors-stay-independent-longer-1.2657321?cmp=fbtl
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Sock-locks - another really useful thing (9 May 2014)
I found a helpful household tool at the CNIB shop recently: The 'sock-lock' is a device for keeping socks paired in the laundry. Blind sock-wearers everywhere, rejoice! It's elegently simple - a piece of stiff foam, about 2cm square, with a four-petal hole stamped out of it (see image).
Because it's made of bendy foam, the end of a pair of socks can be pushed through the hole, and be held together in the laundry (far left of the picture above).
Sock-locks are sold in packs of 20 for $3.95 here.
Handy!
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Walking the Walk: 'GoToSeat' Postural Support (13 April 2014)
GoToSeat is a postural support seat that "lets children participate in all those moments that make family life special" (according to manufacturer Firefly). The seat comes in 2 sizes and helps children with mobility challenges 'walk' in an upright posture, and thereby take part in more daily activities at home or school. (The image here shows the larger GoToSeat 2.)
Find out more: http://www.fireflyfriends.com/goto-seat
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Noses (27 February 2014)
"Fripp Design has developed a system for fast and low-cost manufacture of facial prostheses such as nose and ear replacements for accident victims. "Conventional maxillofacial prosthetics are incredibly laborious and expensive to produce," says their creator, industrial designer Tom Fripp. And it takes normally 10 weeks to complete one. "You have to take an impression from the area of trauma, cast a plaster positive, then make a mould, carve the desired form in wax, and cast it in silicone. The end result of this handmade process costs between £1,500 to £3,000." Source: The Guardian
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Art Institute of Chicago hosts Touch Gallery exhibits for visually impaired visitors (23 February 2014)
Art museums across the country have found creative ways to accommodate art lovers with disabilities, especially those who are blind and visually impaired." by Karen Meyer
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3D Printing Ramps up Accessibility (13 February 2014)
A nice solution to a common problem:
"The design, Raul says, is light and small enough to fit into the back pocket of a wheel chair, yet large enough to allow a wheelchair to drive up a decent sized step. It’s also made to be non-slip and can be printed within 24 hours."
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QardioArm Indiegogo by Qardio - Blood Pressure Monitors (29 January 2014)
"A better way to make blood pressure monitors and medical devices, so that they are not only serious, but beautiful and effortless. Cutting edge technology that doesn’t feel like technology and dissolves into your everyday life."
http://www.getqardio.com
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Off-Road Wheelchair (27 January 2014)
For those that need a wheelchair and those who just want one:
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3-D Printed Casts - The Future of Healing Broken Bones? (23 January 2014)
Called the Cortex cast, this "new take on the plaster cast is a 3D-printed brace that follows the contours of the arm. Though still just a concept, Evill’s Cortex will be an injury-localized exoskeleton that is lightweight, washable, ventilated and recyclable." by Liz Stinson, Wired.
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Filip Phone (21st January 2014)
A beautifully designed, wearable phone and smart locator (with safe zones) for kids, parents and others. Launches for $199 with $10 plan.
http://www.myfilip.com
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Wear -- A Wearable Personal Assistive Listening Device (10 January 2014)
We just helped fund 'Wear' - a wearable personal assistive listening device by Eric Rosenthal and Michelle Temple. It hangs around your neck as a beautiful pendant and has a directional microphone to help minimize background noises. Looking forward to receiving our device at the end of the year!
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/771490867/wear-a-wearable-personal-assistive-hearing-device
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Accessible Design (Friday, 27 December 2013)
Here's a web page by Amy at Design One Interiors underlining that design for accessibility need not be ugly. Check it out on http://www.designoneinteriors.net/blog/design-for-accessibility/
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Pro Infirmis - Because who is perfect (12 December 2014)
Here's a great and emotionally charged video about body image. The people whose imperfect body measurements were used to create mannequins were delighted to see themselves in a shop window while passers-by were not sure what to make of the scene.
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International Symbol of Accessibility (1 December 2014)
Here's a great article about the redesign of The International Symbol of Accessibility by Christina Agapakis: http://blogs.scientificamerican.com/oscillator/2011/08/23/editing-the-city/.
An excerpt: "No one can represent all the flavours of human ability, but art and design… can make us ask questions about the things that we consider normal, like the very idea of "normal" vs "disabled" in the first place. New designs and technologies and wider awareness and deployment of old technologies can evolve not just how we define disability, but how inclusive and accessible our society is."
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