Making "Making" Accessible
Amy Hurst · 2018 · Proceedings of the 15th International Web for All Conference (W4A) · doi:10.1145/3192714.3192715
Summary
This keynote abstract presents Amy Hurst's research program on making DIY (Do-It-Yourself) assistive technology creation accessible to end-users, clinicians, and caregivers. The talk addresses a fundamental problem: a large percentage of assistive technologies end up unused or abandoned due to four common factors — lack of considering user opinion in selection, difficulty obtaining devices, poor device performance, and changes in user needs over time. Hurst argues that digital fabrication tools (3D printers, laser cutters, CNC machines) and microcontroller platforms offer exciting possibilities for creating custom assistive technologies that are less expensive and faster to produce than traditional methods. However, a review of Thingiverse.com revealed that fewer than 1% of posted designs were assistive technologies, and those that existed were primarily created by people with engineering backgrounds rather than end-users or clinicians. The talk covers three strands of research: understanding current DIY AT practice and its limitations, developing effortless 3D modeling software for creating assistive devices like tactile graphics and hand grips, and teaching physical therapists to design custom assistive technologies.
Key findings
Hurst's research team found that the maker community's contribution to assistive technology is limited: fewer than 1% of designs on the major repository Thingiverse were assistive technologies. The designers of existing AT models were predominantly engineers, not end-users or clinicians — raising concerns about sustainability and appropriateness of volunteer-created solutions. The research demonstrated that physical therapists had the most success designing custom assistive technologies using clay (familiar to them) and then outsourcing the digital fabrication, rather than learning 3D modeling or printer operation directly. For end-users, the team developed form-based 3D modeling software that eliminates the need for traditional CAD skills, enabling rapid creation of specific assistive devices like tactile graphics and hand grips. The talk highlights important tradeoffs between DIY approaches (customizable, fast, inexpensive) and acquiring assistive technology through established channels (tested, supported, liability-covered).
Relevance
This keynote connects the growing maker movement to the persistent problem of assistive technology abandonment, arguing that personalization and user involvement in creation could significantly improve AT adoption rates. For accessibility practitioners, the key insight is that the barriers to DIY AT are not primarily technical but rather about making design tools accessible to non-engineers — the people who best understand the needs. The finding that clinicians prefer working with familiar materials (clay) rather than learning new digital tools has practical implications for AT training programs. The work also raises important questions about liability, sustainability, and quality assurance when assistive technologies are created outside established medical device channels. As 3D printing and digital fabrication become increasingly affordable and available in libraries, schools, and community centers, this research provides a foundation for making these resources serve people with disabilities more effectively.
Tags: DIY assistive technology · 3D printing · digital fabrication · assistive technology abandonment · maker movement · rapid prototyping · physical therapy · personalization · CNC · laser cutting · microcontrollers · tactile graphics