Tips for thinking up products
Open-mindedness: Avoid focusing on stereotypes or assumptions about what "people need" or "everything people with disabilities cannot do." There is enormous diversity within each group.
Focus, not dispersion: It is preferable to address a specific barrier that allows you to find a concrete solution, rather than trying to find superficial responses to many.
Real problem, not imaginary: Ensure that the barrier you choose is a genuine and common challenge for people with that disability.
Thinking outside the box: Be imaginative, daring, and original. There are no "silly" ideas in the initial brainstorming phase.
Simplicity and Functionality: The product should be practical, easy to use, and effective. Sometimes, the simplest solution is the most brilliant.
Long-term impact: Could this product have a lasting positive effect on people's lives?
Empathy as a starting point: Before thinking about solutions, it's important to gain an in-depth understanding of the barrier faced by a person with a disability. Consider the person's daily life and the challenges they face. Empathy is the driving force behind good ideas to change society.
Universal Design: It is a design concept focused on creating the most accessible design that benefits the greatest number of people, not just a specific disability group. Universal Design is based on principles that provide multiple means of representation, engagement, action, and expression. For example, a ramp is essential for wheelchairs but also helps strollers or people carrying suitcases.
Viability and Sustainability: First, check whether your idea has already been launched in the market. If so, find a way to improve it. If it is an original and innovative idea, consider whether it is feasible. Consider whether the product could be manufactured and distributed realistically, and its environmental impact.