Mariana Santos, Teresa Patrone Cotrim, Inês Veiga
pp. 213-232, download
(https://doi.org/10.55612/s-5002-069-010)
Abstract
The beach is a popular place for the elderly to relax, socialise and engage. Nevertheless, there are physical and social barriers that jeopardise access and mobility. Most existing solutions are unsuitable for elderly users. From an inclusive design perspective, the condition of reduced mobility and disability is common to other users. However, few studies analyse how the elderly relate to beaches and how design may improve active ageing in beaches. This study aims to explore the experience of the elderly user in the beach environment and create solutions to improve the user-environment-product relationship. Inclusive design made it possible to enhance the mobility and experience of the elderly at the beach by designing a solution centred on their real needs and expectations, while at the same time adapting to the beach landscape and other users. An innovative product that differs from existing responses was achieved.
keywords: Product design, Inclusive design, Ageing, Beach accessibility, Mobility aids.
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