Daily living labs case STUDY

Using Participatory Design & Testing To Build Assistive Tools

OVERVIEW

Accessible design leads to innovation. Daily Living Labs is a nonprofit organization that seeks to involve disabled adults in the assistive product design process. See more at dailylivinglabs.com.

IMPACT

Conducted research with 20+ caregivers and disabled adults.

Hosted 4+ community outreach events & workshops.

Co-designed 6 low-cost / DIY accessibility products.

Developed an end-to-end AI solution finder MVP.

TEAMS

User Research
Concept Development
Artificial Intelligence

ROLE

Project Manager

TIMELINE

Sept. to Dec. 2025
(12 Weeks)

THE PROBLEM

Finding the right accessibility tools can be difficult and expensive.

In a world designed for able-bodied individuals, the cost of assistive technology and tools adds up. As a result, many disabled adults develop their own workarounds to assist them with daily activities. Creativity becomes essential.

In a world designed for able-bodied individuals, the cost of assistive technology and tools adds up.

CONTEXT

Many disabled adults create DIY workarounds for daily activities.

Zebreda Dunham uses found objects to create assistive tools. This pulley spoon allows her to eat independently. See more.

Labels can benefit people with memory loss, or ADHD. Learn more.

STAKEHOLDER OBJECTIVES

Daily Living Labs will allow disabled adults and their caregivers to...

Share their daily experiences and challenges.
Discover relevant purchasable or DIY innovations.
Connect with others to share new ideas.

Share their daily experiences and challenges.
Discover relevant purchasable or DIY innovations.
Connect with others to share new ideas.

ROLE + RESPONSIBILITIES

As a project manager for each team, I directed organization, communication, and strategy.

As a project manager, I directed organization, communication, and strategy.

Set key research objectives and milestones
Distributed responsibilities across teams
Organized design system strategy
Facilitated internal & external communications

Set key research objectives and milestones
Distributed responsibilities across teams
Organized design system strategy
Facilitated internal & external communications

INITIAL RESEARCH INSIGHTS

Our initial research revealed potential daily pain points and market gaps.

Reviews of academic literature, online resources, and social media testimonials.

By reviewing academic articles, informational websites, online forums, and social media profiles, we gathered a comprehensive list of potential daily barriers for disabled adults.

Engaged in competitive analysis of 50+ existing accessibility products.

By analyzing existing accessibility products, we gained a deeper understanding of gaps in the market.

5+ primary interviews with disabled adults, caregivers, and disability researchers.

Our interviews assisted with community outreach and provided a more personal understanding of daily barriers.

Literature Reviews

By reviewing academic articles, informational websites, online forums, and social media profiles, we gathered a comprehensive list of potential daily barriers for disabled adults.

Competitive Analysis

By analyzing existing accessibility products, we gained a deeper understanding of gaps in the market.

Primary Interviews

Our interviews assisted with community outreach and provided a more personal understanding of daily barriers.

IDEATION WORKSHOP

We hosted 6 participants in an early ideation workshop.

We prompted 6 participants by explaining common barriers for disabled adults in their home environments. Walkarounds and group discussions facilitated novel ideation that yielded ideas for products and systems.

IDEATION

Inspired by our primary research, we sorted 100+ ideas based on their technical feasibility and user feedback.

We sorted 100+ ideas based on their technical feasibility and user feedback.

Interested in learning about all our prototypes and individual team members? See the project guide.

prototyping

Physical prototypes were created quickly with low-cost materials.

Plastic Fork + Knife + Spoon = DIY 3-in-1 Utensil

Foam Board + 3D Printed Gyroscope = Plate Stabilizer

Extending Cane + Dustpan = Leg Lift Prototype

AI PROTOTYPING

We developed the Dayli AI to suggest affordable, personalized recommendations for accessibility products.

Early Dayli was a custom GPT.

The later version of Dayli was created with Lovable.

PROTOTYPE TESTING WORKSHOP

We had 7 wheelchair users test each of the 7 prototypes.

Tasks were oriented around realistic scenarios.

Attendees rotated through stations to test each prototype using a list of tasks. Prototypes were set up realistically. (ex. The automatic toothbrush was placed against the sink.)

Feedback was shared with product designers.

The feedback collected about each prototype was shared with product designers so adjustments could be made.

Participants were delighted by the DIY-able prototypes.

By using low-cost materials, we inspired participants to try recreating the prototypes in their own homes.

Realistic Environments

Attendees rotated through stations to test each prototype using a list of tasks. Prototypes were set up realistically. (ex. The automatic toothbrush was placed against the sink.)

Gathering Feedback

The feedback collected about each prototype was shared with product designers so adjustments could be made.

Participant Response

By using low-cost materials, we inspired participants to try recreating the prototypes in their own homes.

OPEN-SOURCE CO-DESIGN

By sharing the instructions for each prototype, people can adapt the ideas to their needs and home environment.

List of relevant conditions, capabilities, materials, and tools.

Step-by-step instructions.

COMMUNITY OUTREACH

We visited the 2025 Abilities Expo to to gather feedback and find potential research participants and partners.

We shared our goals and encouraged attendees to try out prototypes

Interactive whiteboard prompts

NEXT STEPS

Continue developing our platform, processes, and partnerships.

After continued testing and revision with the community, we hope to create an online space for disabled people and their caregivers to find and share practical ideas. We also hope to gather enough information to create home environments that are fully supportive and customizable to a person’s needs.

After continued testing and revision with the community, we hope to create an online space for disabled people and their caregivers to find and share practical ideas.

We also hope to gather enough information to create home environments that are fully supportive and customizable to a person’s needs.