Made to Measure: War has been a catalyst for the invention and implementation of new designs relating to disabilities. Engineering has continually improved the accessibility and usability of these products, and the developments in man-made materials has meant that they have become, cheaper, lighter, easier to produce, and more user-friendly. An awareness of the rights of people with disabilities has meant that the experience of the user has become of central importance to the aims of the designer.

Domestic Science: The Western World has an aging population. Design for disability is becoming increasingly important and inclusive design is now more apparent in the marketplace. Innovative and appealing design supports individuals to live independent lives, to enjoy playing games, eating food and performing everyday domestic tasks. Often the best ideas are initially designed with disability in mind but are subsequently adopted and used by the populace at large.

Tools of the Trade: An appropriately-designed tool, or specific moderation to an existing product, is often the only adaption needed for someone to work at the same speed and efficiency as their ‘able’ colleagues. It has been proposed that ‘disability’ is a socially created problem. Therefore it is our collective responsibility to make the essential modifications to allow people of all abilities to contribute to our social and professional lives.

This Sporting Life: Dr Ludwig Guttman, and his work at Stoke Mandeville in the 1940’s, left a legacy that declared the importance of sport in empowering and improving the lives of people with disabilities. Physical activity is vital in instilling a sense of well-being in all, from the exhilarating spectacle of elite-level competition to recreational activities for all.

Keeping Up Appearances: The aesthetics of enabling design is an important aspect of making the wearers feel confident and happy with the objects they are using. Encouraged by the final lifting in the public consciousness of the stigma surrounding disability, and by the visible presence of an increased number of amputees, disabled people no longer feel that they have to camouflage their disabilities. This opens up the potential for a whole new language of style.

We Are Robots: From bionic feet that think for themselves, to robotic suits that have helped clean up natural and manmade disasters, design engineering can adapt the human body to interface with machines. While bionics are still banned from competitive sports, it may not be long before we see a Formula One-style athletic games. Perhaps in years to come will we be watching the Cyborg Olympics, remembering when athletes were merely human.