Design for All? The Use of Consumer Products by the Physically Disabled

Abstract

Methodological aspects are considered of research into the use of consumer products by the physically disabled, especially into the operation of controls. The identification of impairments that provoke problems has revealed that only handicapped people with disabilities of both upper extremities are facing major problems in operating controls. The method applied is based on observation of users operating their own products at home. Subjects are people suffering from arthritis or a muscular distrophy. Outcomes of the measurement of forces subjects can exert in turning, pinching and pushing, question the relevance of the measurement of the grip force with the widely used dynamometer as a valid indicator of the functional (im)possibilities of the hand. Finally it is shown that the procedure adopted, including the exertion of forces and the handling of controls by the subjects, does not have traceable effects on the performance of the subjects.