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The National
27-07-2025
- Health
- The National
From beauty to gaming: How smart tech is quietly transforming accessibility
More than 1.3 billion people globally – about 16 per cent of the world's population – live with some form of disability, according to the World Health Organisation. That includes a broad range of physical, sensory, cognitive and age-related conditions. Among them, millions live with limited mobility or fine motor challenges, impairments that can make routine tasks like styling hair, applying make-up, or playing video games significantly more difficult. Innovative consumer technology is now helping people with disabilities gain more independence, confidence and control, often without being explicitly marketed as assistive. Tools from Dyson, L'Oréal, and Microsoft are leading a shift towards inclusive design, proving that innovation for the mainstream can also empower those at the margins. 'It's not about whether I can do something – it's about whether a product allows me to do it efficiently, independently and with the same experience as everyone else,' Jessica Smith, a disability advocate born without a left forearm, tells The National. An empowering styling tool Ms Smith has been using the new Dyson Airwrap i.d., a hair styling tool that uses sensors, airflow control and app-based settings to simplify the process of curling and drying hair. She says it's one of the few beauty tools that feels like it was made with people like her in mind. 'The ability to style hair with one hand more seamlessly is a game-changer,' she adds. 'It's exciting to see how it can support my routine.' According to Dyson, the product's accessibility benefits weren't part of the original design brief but emerged organically through efforts to make styling easier for all users. 'The brief was always to make styling and curling hair more convenient and easier for everyone, not necessarily catering to users with disabilities,' Low Chen Nyeow, associate design manager at Dyson Beauty, tells The National. The Airwrap i.d. connects to an app that automates different steps in the styling process, which is helpful for people with limited mobility. 'It removes the need for them to continually press the power button during the styling process as well as hold the cool shot button down,' Ms Nyeow said. In addition, the device's self-wrapping barrels and personalised presets cut manual efforts by users. 'Hair gets wrapped automatically, even without the user feeding a hair tress to the barrel,' she added. 'The personalised curling sequence simplifies usage and allows users to tailor their styling experience without needing to hold multiple buttons down.' Ms Smith said she hopes more companies follow Dyson's example, even if inclusivity isn't their starting point. 'Inclusion should be the standard, not an afterthought,' she says. 'Beauty and personal care are a huge part of people's confidence and self-expression, but for too long, brands have overlooked the needs of disabled consumers. That's how innovation truly meets our needs.' At Dyson, accessibility remains a vital area of continuing research. 'Although we do not have immediate plans to integrate voice or gesture controls into beauty tools, our research teams are investigating how emerging technologies could be incorporated in the future,' Ms Nyeow says. Growing market with untapped potential Assistive technology is a rapidly growing sector focused on enhancing the quality of life for people with disabilities or age-related limitations. It includes products, devices, and software that support users in performing everyday tasks, from communication and mobility to personal care and digital access. The global assistive technology market is projected to reach $41 billion by 2033, from $26.8 billion in 2024, according to market research company Imarc Group. Much of this growth comes from specialised companies focused on health care, mobility, and communication. For example, Sweden's Tobii Dynavox Global develops eye-tracking and speech-generating devices for people with neurological conditions. The US company Ekso Bionics develops wearable exoskeletons that enable individuals with paralysis or mobility impairments to walk again. Aira Technologies is another innovator, offering real-time visual assistance through smart glasses for people who are blind or visually impaired. Mainstream brands like Dyson, L'Oréal, and Microsoft are contributing to the space. Their consumer-first innovations, while not always designed with disability in mind, are proving to be inclusive by default, showing that accessible design can have the most significant impact when it's built for everyone. Innovative make up L'Oréal's HAPTA, an innovative lipstick applicator for people with limited hand or arm mobility, is an example. With its launch in January 2023 at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, L'Oréal put inclusive design at the centre of innovation. The device uses sensors and gyroscopic technology to stabilise motion, helping users apply make-up without requiring a full range of movement. According to a company statement, HAPTA was developed to meet the needs of an estimated 50 million people worldwide who live with limited motor skills. This condition can make daily tasks, such as applying make-up, especially difficult. The hand-held applicator incorporates technology initially developed by Verily to stabilise utensils for people with mobility impairments, now adapted to beauty routines. 'Inclusivity is at the heart of our innovation and beauty tech strategy,' Barbara Lavernos, the company's deputy chief executive in charge of research, innovation, and technology said in a statement at the launch. HAPTA features customisable attachments and built-in smart motion controls to increase range of motion and ease of use. It features a magnetic rotating head that provides 360 degrees of rotation and 180 degrees of flexion, enabling users to save preferred positions for future use. 'With HAPTA, we are going one step further by making beauty more accessible to use because everyone should have equal access to it,' Françoise Lehmann, Lancôme global brand president, said at the time. Gaming for all In the gaming world, Microsoft's Xbox Adaptive Controller has become a leading example of how mainstream tech can deliver powerful accessibility. Designed for players with limited mobility, the device features oversized buttons and multiple input ports that connect to custom accessories, including foot pedals, switches, and sip-and-puff systems. These features enable users to personalise their gaming experience according to their physical needs. 'The goal of the Xbox Adaptive Controller is to remove that barrier. We strive to make Xbox the most accessible gaming platform on the market,' Microsoft said in its fact sheet on the device. 'The Xbox Adaptive Controller provides a much-needed, simple, and affordable solution for gamers with limited mobility.'
Associated Press
27-05-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
WHIRLPOOL BRAND LAUNCHES SPIN&LOAD DISHWASHER RACK, THE MOST INCLUSIVE LOWER-LEVEL DISHWASHER RACK DESIGN ON THE MARKET
The innovation was designed in collaboration with the United Spinal Association as part of the brand's larger commitment to human-centered and inclusive design for the kitchen BENTON HARBOR, Mich., May 27, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- One in four U.S. households include at least one family member with a disability*. With the launch of the Whirlpool® Spin&Load Rack, Whirlpool brand brings human innovation and inclusive design to the everyday kitchen with an easy-to-use, 360o spinning lower-level dishwasher rack. Designed in collaboration with United Spinal Association, Spin&Load Rack is a replacement lower rack for a traditional dishwasher and represents a significant advancement in kitchen inclusivity in a way that traditional dishwasher racks do not. 'The Spin&Load Rack is a great example of Whirlpool brand's commitment to human-centered innovation and inclusive design that empowers families to accomplish the chores on their to-do list,' said April Taylor, Associate Brand Manager at Whirlpool brand. 'It's important to us that we invest in creating inclusive and diverse products that empower all of our consumers and make a positive difference in their lives.' As the most inclusive lower-level dishwasher rack design on the market, Spin&Load Rack features an easy-to-use, 360o spinning design to allow easy access to all areas of the lower rack of the dishwasher, reducing the need for individuals to reach or reposition themselves while loading and unloading their dishes. Spin&Load Rack is easy to install and designed to fit all 24" Whirlpool Corporation dishwashers manufactured after 2018, including Amana, JennAir, KitchenAid and Maytag brands**. The accessory also features simplified and inclusive packaging, ensuring users can easily open and unbox with one hand with an accessible pull-tab design. Whirlpool Corporation's employee resource group known as AVID (Awareness of Visible and Invisible Disabilities) was involved in the initial development process for Spin&Load Rack, with the initial idea for the innovation stemming from an AVID-hosted challenge asking interns to design a more inclusive product. From there, Whirlpool engineers developed prototypes, which were brought to a consumer research study leveraging members of the United Spinal Association to interact with the prototypes and share feedback, informing how the final design eventually came to life. Whirlpool brand's design team also conducted a full usability study on Spin&Load Rack with individuals from Corewell Health to share feedback on the final design. 'In order to produce innovative and inclusive designs, it was important for Whirlpool brand to include voices from the disability community at every stage of the development process, from design and manufacturing to marketing assets and influencer involvement, including Whirlpool Corporation's AVID employee resource group and groups like the United Spinal Association and Corewell Health,' said Katelin Frayer, engineering analyst at Whirlpool Corporation. 'As a member of AVID and one of the hosts of the AVID innovation challenge, as well as an owner of Whirlpool's relationship with United Spinal Association, I am thrilled to see Spin&Load Rack come to life in support of the brand's mission to create more inclusive products for those with mobility disabilities and make a meaningful impact on our consumers.' In support of the launch of Spin&Load Rack, Whirlpool brand is also collaborating with Tony Award-winning actress, singer, and author Ali Stroker, the first actor who uses a wheelchair to appear on Broadway, to support marketing efforts for the kitchen accessory. A humanitarian and advocate for individuals with disabilities, Stroker has made it her mission to improve the lives of others through the arts, disabled or not, as highlighted in her motto: 'Turning Your Limitations Into Your Opportunities.' 'I'm thrilled to join Whirlpool brand in their mission to make the kitchen and home more inclusive for families, and particularly individuals with mobility disabilities, to ensure that they can easily and conveniently tackle the chores on their to-do list,' said Ali Stroker. 'I've often had to adapt to the environments around me, and it feels good knowing that Whirlpool brand has designed something that empowers a wide range of individuals and their families to take on the dishes that inevitably pile up to save time and simplify dish duty.' In addition to Spin&Load Rack, Whirlpool brand offers other existing inclusive appliances, including the Whirlpool®44 dBA ADA Compliant Dishwasher Flush with Cabinets with 3rd Rack, Whirlpool® 36-inch Wide Counter Depth 4 Door Refrigerator - 19.4 cu. Ft., and the Whirlpool® 4.5 cu. ft. Front Load ENERGY STAR® Washer with Tumble Fresh Option and Whirlpool® 7.4 cu. ft. ENERGY STAR® Front Load Electric Dryer with Wrinkle Shield™ Option. Spin&Load Rack will be available for purchase in June 2025 for $149.99 at For more information, visit *Based on 2019 U.S. Census Data **Compatibility with Whirlpool brand dishwashers and dishwashers manufactured by Whirlpool Corporation after 2018, including Amana, JennAir, KitchenAid, and Maytag brands. The full list of compatible models can be found on Whirlpool Corporation (NYSE: WHR) is a leading home appliance company, in constant pursuit of improving life at home. As the last-remaining major U.S.-based manufacturer of kitchen and laundry appliances, the company is driving meaningful innovation to meet the evolving needs of consumers through its iconic brand portfolio, including Whirlpool, KitchenAid, JennAir, Maytag, Amana, Brastemp, Consul, and InSinkErator. In 2024, the company reported approximately $17 billion in annual sales - close to 90% of which were in the Americas - 44,000 employees, and 40 manufacturing and technology research centers. Additional information about the company can be found at SOURCE Whirlpool Brand View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Whirlpool Brand
