Many people face daily challenges with fine motor control due to various conditions, such as arthritis, which causes joint stiffness and reduced dexterity. This can make simple tasks like opening jars or buttoning clothes difficult. Similarly, individuals using wheelchairs, managing tremors from Parkinson’s disease, or recovering from stroke also encounter products designed without their needs in mind. Below is a list of ways that designers can create products that are more accommodating of these needs.
- Increase sizes and spacing of buttons and switches, to prevent accidental activation and make them easier to grab
- Design controls that are easy to activate, such as touch-sensitive surfaces instead of hard-press buttons, or lever-style handles instead of twist knobs.
- Make handles and levers easier to hold – with rubber or ridged surfaces to provide grip
- Make sure controls are within easy reach (not too high or too low), accommodating both standing and sitting users – perhaps with positions that can be customised to suit the user
- Design for single-handed operation – so products can be fully operated with one hand, accommodating users with limited mobility on one side of their body, or who need to use one hand to retain balance
- Spill protection – lids that are hard to fall off etc, or features to catch drips, in case of spills
- Add stability features (weighted bases to reduce tipping, non-slip surfaces etc)
- Include alternative input methods, such as voice control
- Use easy-open packaging that tears open along perforated strips etc, without requiring precision or significant strength
Amiria has a Bachelor of Architectural Studies, Bachelor of Architecture (First Class Honours) and a Graduate Diploma of Teaching. She is a CIE Accredited Art & Design and Design & Technology Coursework Assessor. Amiria now teaches Art, Design & Technology at ACG Parnell College.