DESIGN MEETS DISABILITY
This week’s reading was an eye-opener to the interconnectedness of design and disability. It actually got me thinking of some of the very great designs that I encounter often that are solely meant to aid with disability e.g glasses. This affirms the writer’s point that design depends largely on constraints and that in so many ways disability inspires design. The reading also pointed out some nuanced details concerning disability designs. One, it is noted that a design should aim to enable while attracting minimal or no attention at all. The whole point of design in disability is to close the gap that is between disability and mainstream and therefore when a design attracts too much attention it is very likely to cause stigmatization that undermines the whole goal of the design. Nonetheless, the discretion is at the danger of sending out the message that disability is something to be ashamed of. Therefore to help strike a balance between discretion and attention the writer speaks of how fashion and medical designs have just done so. For instance, just like glasses have evolved from being disability designs to fashion designs, other medical designs should aim at seeking the perspective of the fashion designers and not be too focused on discretion. More confident and less discrete designs will help in promoting a positive image for disability. Also design for disability should aim for social inclusivity and reduced mediocrity in order to remove barriers that cause stigmatization. Additionally, with reference to James Lecker who manufactures furniture for children with cerebral palsy. He states that a furniture design needs to be so complicated such that it intimidates children and their friends therefore beating the whole point of social integration.