Abstract

This paper begins by considering the dichotomy between the design of sporting goods and the design of disability products, with an intent to identify some ways in which disability products can become more socially acceptable and even desirable. The role of material artefacts in the creation and propagation of individual- and social-identity is discussed in an attempt to highlight the importance that design can have in ameliorating self-image and public-image of people with disabilities. The paper goes on to discuss a design project carried out in two parts in an Undergraduate Industrial Design studio class to explore the notion of augmenting human ability. The first part of the project focused upon sporting goods and the opportunities therein to enhance human performance and safety within a chosen sport. The second, mirroring and applying the learning from the first part, explored the opportunities to enhance human ability of those considered to be elderly or those who have a disability. The paper focuses upon three case studies of disability products and concludes that there can be positive transference of design approaches from designing for sports to designing for disability.

Keywords

design and disability, design for all, design/product semantics, industrial design education, innovative technology and accessibility for the elderly and disabled

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Nov 1st, 12:00 AM

Human augmentation: transference of design approaches from designing for sports to designing for disability

This paper begins by considering the dichotomy between the design of sporting goods and the design of disability products, with an intent to identify some ways in which disability products can become more socially acceptable and even desirable. The role of material artefacts in the creation and propagation of individual- and social-identity is discussed in an attempt to highlight the importance that design can have in ameliorating self-image and public-image of people with disabilities. The paper goes on to discuss a design project carried out in two parts in an Undergraduate Industrial Design studio class to explore the notion of augmenting human ability. The first part of the project focused upon sporting goods and the opportunities therein to enhance human performance and safety within a chosen sport. The second, mirroring and applying the learning from the first part, explored the opportunities to enhance human ability of those considered to be elderly or those who have a disability. The paper focuses upon three case studies of disability products and concludes that there can be positive transference of design approaches from designing for sports to designing for disability.

 

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