What's a common problem that people with disabilities encounter on a day to day basis?

Question

I am doing a project for my design class and have to create an object that will help people with disabilities. Something adaptable and easy. But i need to know common, unobvious challenges that are dealt with.
Thanks!

Answer 1

Well, I read the posts and for those of you who said to create something for weather protection for those in wheelchairs, it already exists. My son has a huge umbrella attaced to his chair and it protects him from rain, and from the sun as well in the summer time.

There is a plastic shield that you can adapt to your childs chair or to a wheelchair that protects them from wind and rain, sleet and snow and it is clear so that they can see as well. There is also a rain slicker that is made to fit over the person and the entire wheelchair.

If there was anything that I could think of that you could create to benefit a disabled person, it would be something that entertains them. Not something that sits and blinks and winks and makes noise, but something that twirls around them, and touches them and gets their attention. Something tactile like feathers, or soft string that hangs over them like a mobile for babies or some such. It would assist them in the areas of sensitivies to touch or to make them aware of touch and feel and such. Some portions could be heavier to get them used to pressure and such.

I suggest this only because my son responds to very little.

But he does respond to that sort of stimuli.

He can't stand up, but I created a suit that I strap him in and attach to his hoyer with straps. He can stand on his own it.

There are similar products out there that do the same thing, but they look harsh and uncomfortable especially in the groin area. My suit is full body and holds him comfortably. He hangs from his hoyer and he can dance with me and he can feel that he is doing it alone. He likes his standing suit.

OH, and if you create something truly great, make it affordable to those that really need it. That would be the perfect item. Most companies that supply to those with differing abilities make it so expensive that those that really need it can't afford it anyway.

Make that your goal, and you will have millions at your door.

Answer 2

I'd say the most difficult and pressing challenge for those with disabilities is the persecution they face on a daily basis. Prejudice from the "normal" people around them, who don't understand the basis for their disability. I guess there's not much of an adaptable instrument you could design to eliminate disability prejudice, however, is there? You can check out the website, www.abilitations.com to get some ideas of the types of adaptive devices already out there, and perhaps you'll be inspired to one of your own. Basically, the people with physical handicaps are the ones with the most difficulty adapting to the physical world around them, trying to "fit in" with the "normal" people and do the same things they can do, such as ski or snowboard. Good luck!

Answer 3

Here's some suggestions:

Many people with mobility imparments have trouble opening jars, cans, etc. Even something as simple as those twist off caps milk jugs have can be a real pain--literally.

Also think about signs--people with visual impairments often can't read them . Many buildings now have room numbers, etc in large raised letters--but not all. More to the point--MOST dont have suchsigns on restrooms (don't ask me why--but I've been embarassed occasionaly as a result. And many other things aren't labeled.

You can also get a lot more information by going to some websites' One is the National Institute for Disability Rehabilitation research (just google "NIDRR"). And there is a network of "Rehabilitation Engineering Research Centers" scattered across the country. They each have their own websites--but google "RERC disability" and you'll get plenty of hits.

Answer 4

damommyx is onto something! I have known many families that have a tough time when it rains and someone is in a wheel chair. The person in the chair can't control it and hold and umbrella and it is hard for another party to push the chair with an unbrella open as it is directly in their face. A weather shield...something that can stop rain and even work as a sun shield for the summer days out doors would be a great idea!!! Just remember that it needs to be wide enough that any water run off is not landing on the person's lap!

Answer 5

I would have to agree with BCND. Alot of the problems that people with disabilities are faced with are alot of predujice. Being made fun of. Some other challenges people face is having to work around their disabilities. For example, if some one has a reading disability having to live their life around this, trying to adapt. Trying to understand what is going on in the "real world" is also a real challenge for many people. Hope it helps. :)

Answer 6

How about a weather shield for power wheel chairs. My daughter had the freedom to go places with hers but if it rained etc she had no protection from the weather because it is rather hard to hold an umbrella and run the chair too. It would need to be something they could easily unfurl from the chair themselves but provide support to keep the protection off of them.

Answer 7

The most common thing would be prejudice. Other people think they can't and not allowing the disabled person to reach their full potential.

Answer 8

Lack of tolerance! (For their differences. People want to see their disabilities, not their abilities)

Answer 9

Not being able to reach high things, maybe design your own gripper? Good luck! ; )