Assistive Device Design

The process of developing assistive technologies and devices to meet the needs of people with disabilities. Effective assistive device design requires involving end users as active participants throughout the design process, from initial concept generation through prototyping, testing, and refinement. A common cause of assistive technology abandonment is the disconnect between how designers envision device use and how users actually interact with the technology. Co-design approaches, accessible prototyping methods, and iterative user feedback are essential for creating assistive devices that truly meet users' needs rather than reflecting designers' assumptions.