A Reaction To "Design Meets Disability"

This week's reading for Physical Computing explored the gap between the worlds of design and engineering, focusing specifically on the realm of devices made to assist the disabled.  The article contained a wide range of insights about this largely engineering based industry and its seeming disconnect from the world of design and aesthetics.  However, the portion that resonated with me most strikingly was the greater problem of separation of industries.  

In today's world, it seems that there are often very striking lines drawn between industries, resulting in the undesirable result of poor implementation, reduction and usability.  This is clearly exemplified in the article in relation to devices such as wheel chairs, prostheses, and hearing aids.  However, this is just one example of a gap that needs to be bridged.  Throughout day to day life, we see and use devices and interfaces that are hindered by the fact that they were engineered, and never designed.  

Thankfully, this is a problem that is slowly being addressed by many companies, and hopefully is the reason that many of us are at ITP:  To gain insight, learn from others' experiences, and create devices that encompass a wider array of perspectives and insights.