The concept that an impairment is something that must be solved, in medical assistive technology, has allowed for the normalization of certain bodies while creating a divide between users and designers. To combat this, participatory design promotes the development of technology that addresses the needs of users rather than healthcare providers or governmental agencies by placing an emphasis on user involvement.
With the growing number of accessible technology, more disabled users and able to develop and modify technology. However, there are still existing barriers within the realm of accessibility.
#OpenAPS started due to the long wait for the FDA to approve an artificial pancreas. Since the start of the project, several developers have been formulating their own pancreas systems.
The Nightscout Project began when Jon Costik, father of a diabetic child, discovered a way to transmit glucose levels over the internet. Costik’s system allows caregiver to monitor children’s glucose levels. Which, in return, gives them more independence. Though a person must be able to read and write in several programming languages to directly participate in development, those lacking these qualification can be a apart of the process by offering suggestions through the Facebook group, for example. In less than a year, the member count of said Facebook group doubled. With geographical diversity, developers and users offer a variety of skill and talent. Ultimately, Nightscout aims to create technology that considers the numerous roles that assistive technology plays in an individual’s life. For troubleshooting, Nightscout has a forum which covers technological challenges and how to navigate around them.
Nightscout Projects serves as an example regarding how the increase of democracy in the development of assistive technology, allows for greater possibilities and user autonomy. However, Nightscout also mentions the barriers in furthering user and community driven developments. The idea of various agencies making training in skills related to design more accessible to those with disabilities, serves as a possible solution to aforementioned barriers.
Kane, Laura. “#OpenAPS, Nightscout, and User-Driven Design for Type 1 Diabetes Technology.” The Journal of Interactive Technology and Pedagogy, 17 Dec. 2015, https://jitp.commons.gc.cuny.edu/openaps-nightscout-and-user-driven-design-for-type-1-diabetes-technology/.