"A person is disabled only in relation to the context they are in."
- Iacopo Melio (Italian journalist, writer, politician, and activist for human and civil rights).
+ABILITY - ADV BANNER
A key focus of the project was a critical reflection on the way we design everyday products: Are they conceived to break down ergonomic and functional barriers, or are they merely the result of aesthetic expression and unrealistic needs that, instead of including, amplify these barriers?
At the core of the project was a paradigm shift in the designer’s role. Instead of being an “inventor” of needs, the designer became a receiver of genuine, pre-existing necessities. This approach also redefined the design process itself, transforming it from a vertical, centralized model into one that is horizontal, open, and collaborative. Users were no longer passive recipients but active participants and co-designers in the process. This active involvement not only enriched the creative process but also fostered a sense of empowerment and self-healing through creativity.
In +ABILITY, design becomes a shared, inclusive, and horizontal process. The designer takes on the role of a facilitator, guiding and fluidifying the process, while additive manufacturing serves as a tool of empowerment, enabling everyone to bring their ideas to life. This technology played a pivotal role in bridging communication between designers and user-designers, allowing ideas generated in workshops to quickly materialize, accelerating prototyping and fostering the global dissemination of projects. In doing so, it nurtured the growth of a true "distributed design community."
Our ultimate goal was to create products that go beyond mere functionality. These are not just assistive devices but high-quality, beautifully designed objects that challenge the stigma often associated with illness and disability. The entire process becomes inclusive, dissolving the gap between designers, users, and their needs, creating objects that are not only useful in addressing a problem but also, through the pursuit of beauty, become symbols of overcoming stigma and social barriers.
In +ABILITY, there are no disabilities—only +ABILITIES. Each product serves as a tangible example of the unique and valuable contributions individuals can make, celebrating personal strengths and individuality to build a world that is more open, accessible, beautiful, and inclusive
+ABILITY - CO-DESIGNERS, PORTRAITS
The final products are the result of a collective and inclusive effort, where designers, users, and technologies collaborate to create innovative and adaptable solutions tailored to individual needs. Thanks to additive manufacturing, these objects can be customized and replicated worldwide, making design accessible to a global audience.
YEAR 2014–2018
INSTITUTION Politecnico di Milano, Research InstitUTE
INSTITUTION Politecnico di Milano, Research InstitUTE