DESIGN MEETS DISABILITY
In my opinion, I can’t help feeling frustrated with how slow the world is to adopt these ideas. Why are we still obsessed with invisibility and blending in when we should be celebrating individuality? Aimee Mullins’ prosthetics are a perfect example. they’re not just tools, they’re empowering, glamorous statements of self-expression. To me, this is where design for disability needs to go, embracing boldness rather than hiding behind outdated notions of what’s “appropriate.” It’s frustrating that hearing aids, for example, are still stuck in a cycle of being made to “disappear” rather than be celebrated, unlike glasses that have evolved into full-blown fashion accessories.
I think the text makes a strong case for simplicity in design, but I also feel like it’s dancing around the bigger issue of why it takes products like Apple’s iPod to show us how simplicity can be revolutionary. Everyday products for people with disabilities shouldn’t just be functional, they should inspire pride. In my opinion, the most significant missed opportunity is the lack of integration between mainstream and disability-focused design. The examples here, like dementia-friendly radios and HearWear, are great, but they’re still treated as niche. We need to stop separating these worlds and start making design inclusive from the start.