An Ergonomic Bench for Indigenous Weavers

Abstract

FEATURE AT A GLANCE: In this article I describe how an ergonomic bench was designed for indigenous weavers in Guatemala in the presence of long-standing economic poverty, gender inequality, and racial prejudice. The bench helps women increase their ability to earn a living through enhanced productivity and improved textile quality, while also preventing cumulative trauma to their bodies and preserving important aspects of their traditions. The systems approach that enabled user-centered ergonomic design of the bench also stimulated self-awareness among end-users, empowering them to create meaningful change in a culture in which kneeling, rather than sitting, is the norm for women.