Design for Disability

Identify ways consideration of human factors would improve the design of wheelchairs

Discuss the role of legislation in ensuring wheelchair access in public buildings The main issues are: Costing Age of building Size of existing corridors, paths and walk ways Frequency of usage Consider the problems of adapting existing designs with new builds

Task: Study the photographs shown on this page and consider some of the issues of the wheelchair user and how legislation could benefit or cause problems to other users

Evaluate the requirements for wheelchair access in the school environment Task: Carry out a quick fieldtrip around the school to evaluate the essential requirements for wheelchair access and to assess how ‘wheelchair-friendly’ our school is.

Wheelchair – minimum width for access

Wheelchair – minimum door width and opening

Identify human factors issues for those with limited hand movement Consider first the range of movements we have and the different tasks we require or hands to do and then work backwards from there

Explain the methods that designers would use to research human factors for those with limited hand movement

Identify kitchen appliances or tasks that could be modified for greater ease of use by people with limited hand movements

How might they be redesigned?

Investigate …specifically gadgets designed to help people unscrew the lid of a jar

Designing a kitchen with disability in mind

Design for disability in a global society Then Discuss: What is the role of legislation in ensuring inclusive design for community facilities Read pages 6-7 Research these: Standards, Design Incentives and Regulations

Discuss and compare the issues of human factors research in developing and developed countries

Disability groups are often referred to as minority user groups who do not benefit from economies of scale.

Identify the opportunities presented by the global marketplace for design for specific impairments

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