Design Discussion Week 7

On Assistive Technology

I think most problems regarding the usability of assistive technology are stem from the fact that most people who develop them don’t struggle with the disability they’re trying to make these devices for. Because of this, many of those who struggle with disabilities are left with very expensive options that fail to address their needs. This is evident in Britt Young’s life-long struggle of finding prosthetics that can comfortably assist her with daily tasks. With that said, this problem emphasizes the need of extensive user research; potential users’ needs must be thoroughly examined and met in creating assistive devices. It also stresses the importance of empathy and inclusivity in design; designers must strive to create products or environments that accommodate as many people as possible. 

An example of technology that may fail to aid those with disabilities is touchscreen technology which may be unusable for those with vision impairments and limited hand dexterity. An example of technology that has benefitted those with impairments is hearing aid technology which helps those with hearing impairments communicate more effectively.