EMPOWERING PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES: Participatory Design Using Micro-Controllers

Purpose: To investigate how we might empower people with disabilities to use an open source micro-controller (the Arduino) to address unmet needs in daily living. There is a growing subculture engaged in “do-it-yourself” open source electronics. People with disabilities have unique needs that are not easily met by off-the-shelf products. What might it take for people with special needs to leverage this open source knowledge base and these flexible technologies?

Methods. Five design students were partnered with five people with disabilities. Together they were challenged to learn the basic skills of using the Arduino. Participatory design process was engaged to apply these skills to address a real problem in the life of the person with disabilities. Video interviews and surveys were conducted to capture learning outcomes. This project ran in the Fall of 2011.

Results. Completed projects included custom controls for lighting, a knee-actuated camera, and a wheelchair accessory for signaling in traffic. We saw less fear and more confidence in using new technologies among the persons with disabilities; several also expressed improved cognitive and social abilities. The design students commented on their increased skill in teaching, as well as changes in knowledge of / advocacy for / empathy with persons with disabilities.

Conclusions. This project partners persons with disabilities with design students to address social problems using a collaborative, people-centered approach. We observed how both groups were empowered. This exploratory work investigates how persons with disabilities may use creative design processes to address limitations of daily living.