Assistive products play a crucial role in improving the quality of life for individuals with reduced motor and sensory capacities by providing them with tools and technologies that promote greater independence and inclusion. However, the success of these products heavily depends on the empathetic understanding of users' needs and challenges. Exercising empathy, which involves actively immersing oneself in users' perspectives to effectively identify and address the critical pain points and limitations faced by individuals with disabilities, becomes a crucial phase in the health design process. This article presents the application of this method in the context of a product design studio with first-year students of a bachelor's degree in product design, along with a selection of results. The article aims to demonstrate how exercising empathy can foster the development of innovative and inclusive assistive products that are truly aligned with users' needs and aspirations. Through the implementation of empathy exercises, designers can bridge the empathy gap and contribute to a more accessible and empathetic future for individuals with disabilities.

BRIDGING THE EMPATHY GAP: EXERCISING EMPATHY AS A METHOD FOR ASSISTIVE PRODUCT DESIGN

Buffagni, Alessia
Writing – Original Draft Preparation
2023-01-01

Abstract

Assistive products play a crucial role in improving the quality of life for individuals with reduced motor and sensory capacities by providing them with tools and technologies that promote greater independence and inclusion. However, the success of these products heavily depends on the empathetic understanding of users' needs and challenges. Exercising empathy, which involves actively immersing oneself in users' perspectives to effectively identify and address the critical pain points and limitations faced by individuals with disabilities, becomes a crucial phase in the health design process. This article presents the application of this method in the context of a product design studio with first-year students of a bachelor's degree in product design, along with a selection of results. The article aims to demonstrate how exercising empathy can foster the development of innovative and inclusive assistive products that are truly aligned with users' needs and aspirations. Through the implementation of empathy exercises, designers can bridge the empathy gap and contribute to a more accessible and empathetic future for individuals with disabilities.
2023
ICERI2023, 16. annual International Conference of Education, Research and Innovation
2340-1095
Inglese
1
5743
5749
7
9788409559428
IATED
Valencia
SPAGNA
ICERI23 16th annual International Conference of Education, Research and Innovation
13-15 Novembre 2023
Seville, Spain
Internazionale
Assistive products, product design, empathy, medical design, design for health.
no
reserved
info:eu-repo/semantics/conferenceObject
1
3. Contributo in atti di convegno (Proceedings)::3.1 Contributo in atti di convegno
Buffagni, Alessia
273
File in questo prodotto:
File Dimensione Formato  
BUFFAGNI2023BRI.pdf

non disponibili

Tipologia: Versione Editoriale
Licenza: Accesso ristretto
Dimensione 1.01 MB
Formato Adobe PDF
1.01 MB Adobe PDF   Visualizza/Apri   Richiedi una copia

I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.

Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11578/335188
Citazioni
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.pmc??? ND
  • Scopus ND
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.isi??? ND
social impact