Putting the sexy back into ‘disabled’

When you look at the various wheelchairs that the majority of disabled people use, you think ‘oh, look the other way’ don’t you!

When you look at a car you think Mustang, Ford, Peugeot, Ferrari. The car industry looks sexy, as does the modern technology gadgets we all use from Mr Jobs at Apple, with the iPhone, MacBook and the sexy iMac.

Bono wrote in the New York Times about how the car industry should get ‘sexy’ again and look at the cars of the 40′s, 50′s and 60′s. If we need to relook at the car industry again as Bono suggests then we are really in serious trouble for the people who need the help the most.

When I look at the equipment on offer, I have to laugh to myself. Yes the equipment is great but not sexy. Does it need to be?  Well, put yourselves behind the eyes of a teenager evolving out of a coma, minimally aware. You remember all the things that you loved but you cannot say or understand why. Your a teenager, you know that, but you don’t know why. It’s difficult isn’t it!

I smile at the gadgets donated, to the homes and hospitals. The PC’s for example – bottom of the pile, slow effectively useless. Is that because they think, they’ll do? I don’t know prove me wrong!

I say these kids, more than you or I, deserve the best. Mr Jobs, give these kids the latest Apple gadgets that look cool. Manufacturers, develop wheelchairs that look sexy not just for those that can afford it. And equipment advisors to the disabled, get your heads out of the sand do what you do, but pass it to a designer, let them make it sexy and let the kids smile when they get it, let them use it, and let them explore and show off what they have.

The balls in your court now…