In Design Meets Disability, Graham Pulin delves into the significance of crafting designs with both accessibility and inclusivity in mind. Something Pulin seems to continue to highlight though is the transformative potential of inclusive design in the design world we know of today. Pulin’s emphasis on reframing disability aids as fashion statements, for example, challenges the prolonged societal perception of aid being designed simply for it to be functional. This highlights the impact that design can have on shaping cultural attitudes, particularly towards certain communities, which in this case are those who are classified as people of determination. In my eyes, this perspective showcases the need for designers to push against their own assumptions about certain communities and consider not only the functional purpose of objects those people might need but also the aesthetics and means of personal expression that can come through with these creations.
This, however, is easier said than done. Designing for disability within a societal context filled with stigmas, biases, and misperceptions makes it incredibly difficult for people to design creations that are complex in terms of aesthetics and functionality. Given this, I believe that the first step to actually being able to design for disability in a way that is void from any biases is to acknowledge one’s own thoughts and how it may impact the way one would design. By actively engaging in understanding the ways one might think about certain communities such as people of determination, designers can gain invaluable insight into the lived experiences and preferences of those within the disability community, ensuring that these designs are reflective of their needs and desires. Actively engaging in a form of human-centered design can lead to not only more effective and sustainable designs but also fosters a sense of empowerment among those they serve, something that many current disability aids lack. It is only by truly rethinking the traditional paradigms and embracing a more human-centered and holistic approach to designing can we celebrate inclusivity and empower those we help through our designs.