Rehabilitation and product design: Towards the inclusion of people with disabilities through interdisciplinary collaboration

Abstract

In low-GDP countries, such as Brazil, many older people and people with disabilities rely on the public health system for access to assistive devices, which are important to support them to live healthy and dignified lives. However, many problems limit their access to specialized prescriptions and appropriate devices that satisfy their needs and expectations. This paper explores the challenges, contributions and results from an interdisciplinary collaboration between two different yet related areas of knowledge – Product Design and Rehabilitation – in education, research and innovation in assistive technologies. The combination of product design education and rehabilitation services has mutual benefits from the perspective of research and innovation, thus contributing for the community. Here, we report on the process and benefits resulting from four years of interdisciplinary collaboration on assistive products for the aging population and people with disabilities.