Multiple Tools, one safety mechanism.
Many metal and woodworking tools signal to you that they are about to kick back by a change in the pitch of the tool. However, individuals with hearing loss often are unable to hear this, presenting a safety problem. This project explored how to solve for this problem.
Role: Experience researcher, prototype designer
Outcome: Safety glasses that are engineered to visually alert the user to pitch changes. The alert can be set to different pitches so that it will work with multiple tools. It can also be set to pick up pitch changes before the human ear can pick them up, making it valuable to both deaf and hearing users.
In my talks that I give on inclusive design today, I use this experience as an example of why it is valuable to analyze problems from a disability perspective. Most people would not recognize the problem (and hidden opportunity) of not being able to hear the pitch change. Even woodworkers who often work in a noisy environment do not even really notice it. However, when things change from “it’s annoying” to “I can’t,” we are forced to recognize needs and ultimately develop designs that benefit everyone.
