Swinburne University student is sitting at a table covered in tap design sketches with 2 Ability Works’ employees. Swinburne University student is sitting at a table covered in tap design sketches with 2 Ability Works’ employees.
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Swinburne students inclusive design project

Swinburne students inclusive design project

Swinburne University students are designing an accessible tap.

The Inclusive Design team and Ability Works’ employees have been assisting Engineering and Design students from Swinburne University with a project to design a tap that might be found in a public area around Melbourne. They have discussed things like accessibility for those in wheelchairs or with limited mobility, as well as temperature control. What kinds of taps may be easy to operate, and which aren’t.

The students brought many sketches for our teams’ feedback in terms of tap placement, soap options and basin size. Pros and cons considered included:

  • How easy are the taps to maneuver?
  • How easy is the temperature to control?
  • How easy is it to figure out what is hot and what is cold?
  • Is there braille on the tap?
  • What kinds of materials could be used?

The participants found it interesting to learn that the current national standard for an accessible bathroom mostly calls for sensor taps whereas the consensus was that these taps aren’t well-liked or user-friendly. Another consideration that came up was the need for space beneath the basin so those in wheelchairs could get closer to the tap.

We look forward to seeing the outcomes of this project and what the students at Swinburne University decide to design.

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