I really appreciated this reading, and the way that the author juxtaposes design with disability, and also underscores problems that are faced by those with disabilities due to, at times, arbitrary design constraints. For instance, the conversation about hearing was a bit shocking–especially how hearing aids could be significantly better for the people wearing them–if they could just be a bit larger.
This phenomena underscored a couple of problems to me… One of the first was that as a society, we potentially have stigmatized the need for hearing aids, and as such, smaller hearing aids are better. They should be subtle and not noticeable at all costs–including their primary purpose. At that point, hearing aids are prioritizing preferences of the broader society over the needs of the person who is hard of hearing.
As the article later explores how to “keep the design in design for disability,” I think that it’s crucial these engineering teams be comprised of diverse groups of people, who can provide additional perspectives and ensure that products are usable by a broader range of people. Moreover, I appreciate how it emphasizes that tools designed for those with disabilities are in no way less in need of design as products for those without disabilities.