’Net Worth

By Geb Verbug and Steve McPherson

Have you ever tried to use something that wasn’t designed for people with special needs? Did you ever think you could design it better than the manufacturer -- if only they’d ask for your input? Now’s your chance to get involved.

People with disabilities and seniors have more buying power now than ever. Demographics indicate that this group is the fastest-growing consumer market in the developed world. However, the world of products and services is still largely designed for that mythical being called the average (read: able-bodied) consumer.

The goal of UserNet is to be actively involved in changing the consumer market place into a user-friendly world of socially responsible design.

UserNet is a user-driven assessment and evaluation process by people with disabilities and seniors. Our aim is to make everyday products more accessible. We centre our attention on general or high-volume items and special assistive devices. We offer a creative approach to improving a product’s usability for people who have difficulties with activities of daily living such as making dinner or brushing their teeth.

Over the past three years, UserNet has held focus groups to review kitchen appliances from Camco (the Canadian Appliance Manufacturing Company); small appliances from Black & Decker; electronic faucets from DMP; a new wheelchair concept from Fortress Scientific; electric razors from Braun and Phillips; and even a product from Lovecraft. We have also finished another two focus groups dealing with elevator accessibility issues.

These focus groups are organized by consumers with the collaboration of researchers from the Mobility Team of the Ontario Rehabilitation Technology Consortium. We work directly with the product design engineers, or other representatives of the manufacturer, to give feedback from consumers with physical, mobility and/or sensory disabilities.

At each group, a recorder is present to take notes on issues raised. Response forms are filled out by the participants for each product. Data is analyzed and tabulated and a written report is submitted to the manufacturer.

One example of our success is the product review held with Camco. The focus groups involved people with physical or visual disabilities, attendants, researchers and engineers. The valuable suggestions that came out of the review included developing an automatic shutoff for burners and oven racks that won’t tip. The design of the fridge was considered good; everyone liked the adjustable storage bins in the door. We saw that it is important to be able to retrofit existing products. And the engineers saw first-hand the struggle many people have doing day-to-day chores.

Architect Ron Mace from Raleigh, North Carolina, is credited for coining the phrase "universal design," which is a term used to label good design for all people. Universal design fosters the idea that the design of almost all products can be improved by taking into account the limitations imposed by disability and age. The concept of "socially responsible design" includes universal design along with "green" or environmentally friendly design and culturally unbiased design. More inclusive designs that make a product easier to use by a person with a mobility, cognitive or sensory disability will make it easier for everyone to use.

It is probably not possible to meet the goal of true 100-per-cent universal design because of the wide range of abilities of people. But we believe that many more people can be accommodated by design modifications that are not prohibitively expensive and can be included in production runs. The goal, of course, is a future that is accessible to everyone. UserNet wants to help shape that future.

UserNet has developed a valuable learning process for company product design engineers. We are an organization by and for consumers with special needs. But our ideas will only work if you get involved. Please let us know if there are products or devices that need to be improved. We feel that everybody gains something when persons with different abilities have input into the design of products that anyone may purchase.

To participate in a focus group or for more information, please contact Steve McPherson, 807-2100 Weston Rd., Toronto, ON, M9N 3W6; tel.: (416) 241-8882; fax: (416) 241-8595.