From an Individual to the Institute: A Case of ‘Multi-User Centric Codesign’ Approach in Designing Solutions for Children With Special Needs in Resource-Constraint Settings

Abstract

Design of specialised products, such as assistive devices, for users with special needs, such as children with disability, requires a holistic design as well as pedagogical approach. The designer/engineer is encouraged to take a Problem-based Learning approach with the intent to develop 5 top skills identified for industry-readiness and in turn, aid in developing learning objectives for each skill based on the design experience, that will be invaluable for the designer/engineer for designing specialised solutions (assistive/customisable devices) for special user groups (children with special needs), by leveraging systemic collaborations with multiple users, beyond the solo primary user/beneficiary group. This paper presents, the adoption of the co-design approach with multi-users, beyond the primary users, involved in the rehabilitation of children with special needs, and reports the reflections and insights of designer/engineer on the required learning (objectives) to design such specialised products that employs co-design / multi-user centric design process. Presently, these learning objectives are being implemented in design project course to evaluate its impact on the 5 top skills as learning outcomes.