Forging a New Future Through Participatory Action Design and Engineering

NAE Perspectives

National Academy of Engineering (NAE)

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Forging a New Future Through Participatory Action Design and Engineering

Perspectives| November 8, 2024

"The disability community knows better than any other how being involved in the planning from day one is critical to a successfully accessible product, regardless of how many years in the future it lies."- National Council on Disability

In 1990, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) established a groundbreaking set of civil rights protections for individuals with disabilities. Its primary focus was on ensuring equal access to employment, public accommodations, and services. As a result, the ADA profoundly influenced sectors such as education, travel, entertainment, and communication, providing people with disabilities with employment opportunities previously out of reach. However, the act's long-term impact goes beyond policy and regulation. It has laid the foundation for fostering innovative, inclusive design in engineering, where user involvement - particularly from the disability community - is essential.

This article explores how the disability community's engagement in participatory action design and engineering contributes to the creation of accessible products and communities. Drawing inspiration from the work of innovative engineers, it outlines how inclusive design, driven by individuals with disabilities, forges a path toward a more equitable future.

The ADA had a transformative effect across multiple sectors, changing how people with disabilities could interact with the world around them. This change was evident in key areas such as education, employment, travel, entertainment, and communication. For education, the ADA mandates equal access to educational opportunities, thereby encouraging schools to provide accommodations like accessible classrooms and educational materials. Similarly, in employment, the ADA prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities, leading to more inclusive hiring practices. However, these advances also required redesigning workplace environments and technologies to be accessible. This legal framework, in conjunction with the social awareness it engendered, allowed engineers to focus on creating technologies tailored to the needs of users with disabilities, from specialized user interfaces to accessible transportation systems.

Rory A. Cooper

Despite the progress catalyzed by the ADA, significant barriers remain in engineering, especially in the context of laboratory and workplace accessibility. Traditional engineering environments often overlook individuals with disabilities, making it challenging for aspiring engineers with disabilities to engage fully.

Laboratory equipment often lacks the accessibility features necessary for individuals with disabilities. Usability issues extend to scientific and engineering software, where compatibility with accessibility solutions such as screen readers and alternative text may be inadequate. Additionally, fieldwork presents its own set of challenges, but technologies such as drones and satellite imaging provide alternatives for accessing difficult or inaccessible terrain. These technologies offer partial inclusive pathways for engineers with disabilities to contribute to field research without being limited by physical barriers.

Another significant barrier is the paucity of role models and mentors with lived experiences similar to those of students with disabilities. This lack of representation can deter students from pursuing STEMM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and medical) fields. Moreover, engineering curricula are often not designed with accessibility in mind. Appropriate teaching methods that accommodate diverse learning needs are essential for fostering an inclusive engineering education environment.

Workplace accessibility is critical for enabling people with disabilities to participate in engineering and scientific research. Examples like the laboratory workplace triangle developed by Brad Duerstock, the Emerald Cloud Lab, and robotic workstations demonstrate the opportunities for designing accessible working and learning environments.

Several engineers with disabilities have demonstrated that lived experiences are a powerful asset in the design process. Ralph Teetor, for example, developed cruise control, a feature that benefits nearly all drivers. Chieko Asakawa, a blind computer scientist, has made significant contributions to web accessibility. Hugh Herr, who lost both legs to frostbite, has pioneered robotic prosthetics, enhancing mobility for people with limb amputations. These few examples illustrate that the insights gained from personal experiences with disability can lead to innovations that benefit society as a whole. A participatory approach to design is crucial for creating products and services that are truly accessible and meet the needs of all users.

In fields like para-athletics, participatory action design is an enabler of performance. Racing wheelchairs, such as those used by Paralympic athletes like Marcel Hug, are custom-built to optimize speed. Similarly, prosthetic legs for running or cycling, as exemplified by athletes like Paralympian Melissa Stockwell, are designed to replicate natural motion while offering improved performance for athletic competitions. Inclusive design extends to activities such as Nordic skiing, where composite seats are molded to fit the user's body, providing speed, comfort, and control. These examples underscore how design can be tailored to individuals' specific needs, enabling them to participate fully in various aspects of life.

The field of prosthetic technology continues to evolve, with innovations like the athletic shoe-inspired socket designed by Jon Kuniholm offering enhanced comfort and functionality. This approach to prosthetics emphasizes the importance of integrating technology with the human body, allowing users to engage in a broader range of activities. To meet the growing global demand for wheelchairs, innovative designs like those based on kirigami principles are addressing both functionality and affordability. According to the World Health Organization, about 80 million people worldwide need a wheelchair, but only a small fraction have access to one that suits their needs. Kirigami engineering provides a flexible and cost-effective solution, contributing to the creation of durable, lightweight wheelchairs that can be readily adapted to different people and environments. The Human Engineering Research Laboratories (HERL) has been at the forefront of expanding accessibility in recreational activities. The PneuChair, a waterproof, air-powered wheelchair, enables users to enjoy accessible water parks like Morgan's Inspiration Island in San Antonio, Texas. The Mobility Enhancement Robotic Wheelchair further exemplifies how robotics can enhance mobility and autonomy for individuals with disabilities, enabling them to navigate complex environments with greater ease. These innovations highlight the potential for inclusive engineering to transform activities for individuals with mobility impairments.

Inclusive engineering extends beyond individual products to the creation of accessible public spaces. For example, Toyota developed a people mover for the Tokyo and Paris Paralympic Games, enhancing mobility for athletes and spectators alike. Similarly, London's inclusive stoplight signals and the European Union's universal food allergy symbols ensure that public spaces and services meet the diverse needs of all users. Elegant solutions that combine functionality with aesthetic appeal are also emerging. Stairs that convert into wheelchair lifts and accessible dorm rooms, like those at Loughborough University, exemplify how inclusive design can be seamlessly integrated into architectural spaces without compromising style or usability.

Accessible transportation is a critical area where user participation is vital. Focus groups, journey mapping, and surveys allow engineers to incorporate the insights of people with disabilities into the design of autonomous vehicles. Accessible vehicles ensure that transportation is not only functional but also dignified, allowing individuals to travel with autonomy and confidence. Serious board games like HERL-Town can educate players on accessibility issues. These games can foster empathy and awareness, encouraging participants to think critically about the challenges faced by people with disabilities and how inclusive engineering can address those challenges. Inclusive design is not limited to products and spaces but extends to community-based support systems. Smart organizational connectivity and caregiver interventions play a crucial role in ensuring that individuals with disabilities can access the resources and support they need.

Airline travel presents unique challenges for people with disabilities, particularly when it comes to preventing damage to mobility devices and ensuring dignity during the booking and boarding processes. Innovative solutions, driven by feedback from users, are essential for improving dignity and accessibility in air travel.

The Study of Underrepresented Classes Chasing Engineering and Science Success (SUCCESS) Act of 2018, the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), and the National Inventors Hall of Fame are working to promote greater inclusion of inventors with disabilities. USPTO collectible cards featuring notable inventors and educational programs help inspire the next generation of inventors and engineers, showing that adversity can be turned into advantage. The experiences of people with disabilities provide valuable insights when designing engineering solutions. Through participatory action design and engineering, individuals with disabilities are not passive recipients of technology but active participants in creating a more inclusive future.

The work of pioneers in inclusive engineering and design demonstrates the power of participatory action in shaping a more accessible and inclusive world. By involving the disability community throughout the engineering process from the beginning, we can create technologies and environments that are truly inclusive, fostering a future where participation is not an afterthought but a fundamental aspect of engineering design and innovation.

The views expressed in this perspective are those of the author and not necessarily of the author's organization, the National Academy of Engineering (NAE), or the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (the National Academies). This perspective is intended to help inform and stimulate discussion. It is not a report of the NAE or the National Academies.