Motability Foundation has been working with design charity Designability to research the challenges experienced by disabled people when driving. We want to see industry adopt inclusive design, to reduce these challenges, as we transition to electric vehicles (EVs).
Designability’s user engagement research
We grant-funded Designability to conduct user engagement research which found that disabled people face significant challenges when making journeys in their vehicles. These challenges include difficulties when getting in and out of their cars, lack of space, seating that does not meet their needs and problems using controls.
Issues with accessibility mean that disabled people cannot 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.
Read more about Designability’s user engagement findings (PDF 1.4 MB).
Next steps
Designability will now be showing how the report findings could be addressed in standard production vehicles through inclusive design. This will involve creating a series of accessible design principles and demonstrator prototypes to spark inspiration in industry and show how vehicles could change in future.
“Accessibility needs to be at the heart of design”
Chelsea Fleming, Innovation Manager at the Motability Foundation said: “We want to ensure that all disabled people can make the transition to EVs, but for this to happen accessibility needs to be at the heart of standard production vehicle design.
“Designability’s extensive user engagement with disabled people has highlighted the issues they currently face and how car travel could be improved for them. We’re excited to be working with them on the next phase of this project to show what is achievable through inclusive design.”
Learn more
For further information on our accessible vehicle design project.
