1. Enabled by Design:
the who, what and why
College of Occupational Therapy: 8th February 2011
www.enabledbydesign.org blog: h"p://enabledbydesign.org/blog twitter: h"p://twi"er.com/enabledby

2. Hello!
This is Denise…
• Relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (MS)
diagnosed in 2003
• MS is a neurological condition that’s each case
unpredictable, variable and different in
• Symptoms include: fatigue, weakness, and
numbness, visual disturbance, poor balance
vertigo
• Use wide tasks more manageable
day-to-day
range of assistive equipment to make
www.enabledbydesign.org blog: h"p://enabledbydesign.org/blog twitter: h"p://twi"er.com/enabledby

3. Plastic not so
fantastic…
www.enabledbydesign.org blog: h"p://enabledbydesign.org/blog twitter: h"p://twi"er.com/enabledby

4. Ikea
The battle of the bland…
• Ugly, clinical looking assistive equipment =
DEPRESSING
• Grateful for fact helped me to keep independence
• Frustrated as home looked more and more like a
hospital
• Surely this CAN’T be the way it has to be…
• Looked for alternative mainstream products that did
same job
• Very aware ofof others with similar experiences as
well as support
fact people benefit from learning,
www.enabledbydesign.org blog: h"p://enabledbydesign.org/blog twitter: h"p://twi"er.com/enabledby

5. Twitter
Doing our bit…
• From experiences and learning, decided to
set up online community
• Platform to share experiences and views on
assistive equipment
• Raising awareness of need to improve both
functionality and aesthetics
• Result was Enabled by Design
www.enabledbydesign.org blog: h"p://enabledbydesign.org/blog twitter: h"p://twi"er.com/enabledby

6. Definition of Enabled by Design…
EbD
A community of people
passionate about those well
designed everyday products
that help to make day-to-day
tasks that little bit easier. By
sharing their loves, hates and
ideas, Enabled by Design-ers
challenge the one-size-fits-all
approach to assistive
equipment through the use of Source: h"p://www.writeonnewjersey.com/2009/08/only‐the‐
english‐could‐have‐invented‐this‐language/
clever modern design.
www.enabledbydesign.org blog: h"p://enabledbydesign.org/blog twitter: h"p://twi"er.com/enabledby

7. www.enabledbydesign.org blog: h"p://enabledbydesign.org/blog twitter: h"p://twi"er.com/enabledby

8. www.enabledbydesign.org blog: h"p://enabledbydesign.org/blog twitter: h"p://twi"er.com/enabledby

9. What we’re proud of…
EbD
• Featured in following publications/
Enabled by Design in
websites: Society Guardian, Guardian
Society
Guardian
the media:
supplement - Social pioneers, MS
Society’s MS Matters, Disability Now,
Society Guardian: Style counsel (front page) –
Disability Product News, Community
18th March 2009
Care, Arthritis Care’s No Limits, BBC
Guardian supplement – Social pioneers:
Technology and Design Week
Playtime for ideas – 18th March 2009
• Awards and nominations
Disability Now: Designs for living (web watch
feature) – May 2009
• Speaking at events/conferences about
our work
Disability Product News: Looking good (double page spread) – May 2009
Community Care: Website Focus – Enabled by Design – July 2009
• Case study on Enabled by Design
Arthritis Care’s NCVO
produced by No Limits: Design for life – August/September 2009
• “We are Enabled by Design” event
BBC Technology: Social media ‘could transform public services’ – November 2009
• www.enabledbydesign.org blog: h"p://enabledbydesign.org/blog twitter: h"p://twi"er.com/enabledby

10. Add bringing online and offline
Bringing on and offline
together slide!!!
together…
We are
EbD
We are Enabled by Design event held at
Design Museum, London in June
www.enabledbydesign.org blog: h"p://enabledbydesign.org/blog twitter: h"p://twi"er.com/enabledby

11. Enabled by
Design-er
Community member
Denise Walbrugh says…
“Enabled by Design has
been a real beacon of how
things should be, kit-wise
and attitude-wise too, and
has helped me a lot, as
I’m sure it has others”.
www.enabledbydesign.org blog: h"p://enabledbydesign.org/blog twitter: h"p://twi"er.com/enabledby

12. Enabled by Design’s ethos
It’s time we start recognising people for
being just that, people Stereo-
types
and
move away from ill-informed stereotypes
often applied to ageing and disability
Our ethos:
“We believe the world is made up of people
who have a range of abilities, each person
having their own personal strengths and
qualities. We’re passionate about
harnessing these strengths to empower
people to live as independently as
possible.”
www.enabledbydesign.org blog: h"p://enabledbydesign.org/blog twitter: h"p://twi"er.com/enabledby

13. Design for All (DfA)
Design for All (DfA) is a design philosophy
targeIng the use of products, services and
systems by as many people as possible without
the need for adaptaIon. Design for All is design
for human diversity, social inclusion and equality.
Closely related to Inclusive Design and Universal
Design
Result:
Products and services suitable for general public
including older people and people with
disabiliIes
www.enabledbydesign.org blog: h"p://enabledbydesign.org/blog twitter: h"p://twi"er.com/enabledby

14. Accessibility for the Masses
By mainstreaming accessibility, this can help
to remove any stigma attached to
independent living products, while making
people's lives that bit easier and in turn more
manageable. For us, Design for All means
accessibility for the masses.
Mainstreaming
accessibility
www.enabledbydesign.org blog: h"p://enabledbydesign.org/blog twitter: h"p://twi"er.com/enabledby

15. Innovative Products?
Questions? Folding
plug
• What are they?
• Where can I find them?
• How much do they cost?
• Are they any good?
Answers?
• Lying if said knew all the
answers
So?
• Advice would be…
www.enabledbydesign.org blog: h"p://enabledbydesign.org/blog twitter: h"p://twi"er.com/enabledby

16. Inspiration is all
around you…
Not just OT catalogue, but also:
Where’s
• Friends, family and colleagues yours?
• Websites including blogs, social
media sites and ecommerce
• Shops
• Catalogues
• Newspapers and magazines
• Television
• List is endless
www.enabledbydesign.org blog: h"p://enabledbydesign.org/blog twitter: h"p://twi"er.com/enabledby

17. What the future holds for
Enabled by Design…
• New website – four sections: Our
Stuff, Hacks, Shop and Blog future
plans
• Improved accessibility
• Improved user experience
• Social media integration
• Affiliate marketplace with reviews
• Lowering barriers to getting community involved
www.enabledbydesign.org blog: h"p://enabledbydesign.org/blog twitter: h"p://twi"er.com/enabledby

18. Enabled by Design
Get involved by:
needs
• Helping to spread the YOU!!!
word by telling people
about us
OTs
and
• Sharing your own
Loves, Hates & Ideas
on Enabled by Design
website
www.enabledbydesign.org blog: h"p://enabledbydesign.org/blog twitter: h"p://twi"er.com/enabledby

19. Any
questions
?
Thank you for listening!
www.enabledbydesign.org blog: h"p://enabledbydesign.org/blog twitter: h"p://twi"er.com/enabledby