Improving access to vehicles for disabled people
Designability are working to demonstrate how inclusive design can ensure that disabled people are not left behind by the transition to electric vehicles (EVs).
Our new user engagement research, grant funded by the Motability Foundation, found that disabled people face significant challenges when making journeys in their vehicles. These include difficulties when getting in and out of their cars, lack of space, seating that doesn’t meet their needs and problems using controls.
Issues with accessibility mean that disabled people can’t always make the journeys they choose, sometimes completely avoiding driving or travelling altogether. This can be due to experiencing discomfort and pain whilst driving or feeling unsafe or vulnerable in their vehicles.
The next stage of our accessible vehicle design project
Our current aim is to show how these issues could be addressed through inclusive vehicle design. This will involve the creation of a series of accessible vehicle design principles and demonstrator prototypes to spark inspiration in industry.
"We’re excited to be moving into the next phase of this project where we’ll continue to work with disabled drivers and passengers to explore accessible vehicle design, as for many, a car remains a very difficult product to access. Through a deeper understanding of the needs, requirements and barriers that disabled people face, we aim to create a new, inclusive vision for the way cars are designed in the future."