Design Meets Disability
This was an interesting read, especially the idea of discretion in disability design. I honestly realized I never really questioned it before, I just kind of assumed that making things invisible or less noticeable was automatically better, but the reading made me realize it is actually much more about culture and how people feel about themselves. The example of the Eames leg splint was interesting to me because I did not expect something medical to be described as a beautiful design. The idea that a medical object could actually lead to iconic furniture made me rethink the direction of influence in design. It does not just go from mainstream to disability, but the other way around, too.
The idea of discretion vs fashion also really changed how I think about assistive devices. I have definitely grown up seeing and hearing things like hearing aids or prosthetics as something you need to hide, so the idea that invisibility might actually reinforce shame really stuck with me. The comparison with the glasses made a lot of sense because I have never thought of glasses as medical, I sometimes see them as normal or even stylish. Which makes me wonder why other devices have not gone through the same shift yet.
I also found the discussion about simplicity really relatable, especially the iPod example. I have definitely experienced how too many features in a product can actually make it harder to use. The example of simple radios for people with dementia made me think about how inclusion is not just physical, but also about how easily something can be understood without stress. Overall, this reading has me thinking about how much design depends on who is involved in the process, especially considering it needs input from mainstream designers and artists because disability design does not have to be separate or special. It can actually shape what good design looks like for everyone.