EnableMe Insights – Participation as the key to better assistive devices and more inclusion

"Nothing about us without us" is the motto of EnableMe Insights. The message is clear: accessibility and inclusion only work if people with disabilities are actively involved in the various development processes. In an interview with REHACARE.com, Boryana Milova from EnableMe talks about the goals and challenges of the project – and how you can get involved.

Boryana Milova: EnableMe is a platform in Switzerland and Germany that empowers people with disabilities through information, peer exchange and practical tools. It promotes the participation and inclusion of people with disabilities by providing access to valuable resources, networks and services.

EnableMe is technology-savvy and has been using user-centered development approaches for 20 years to make solutions and helpful resources digitally accessible to as many people as possible. The aim is to break down barriers and improve the quality of life of people with disabilities by developing solutions that are suitable for everyday life and the labor market. Examples include our content articles, our peer program, our job and apprenticeship portal and our business services.

EnableMe works closely with partner organizations and is active in Germany, Switzerland, Ukraine, Kenya and Morocco. Every month, the foundation demonstrably helps over 150,000 people worldwide.

What is the "Insights" project about?

Boryana Milova: EnableMe Insights ensures that people with disabilities are included in the design of products, services and everyday processes. We are pioneers of participatory inclusive research and design in German-speaking countries by connecting organizations with a community of over 12,000 people.

Imagine a regional rail company wants to introduce new trains. Instead of finding accessibility and ergonomic deficiencies after the fact, we can involve people with disabilities in the testing process right from the start. This ensures that the trains are truly accessible.

Our mission is clear: to empower people with disabilities through co-creation to make accessibility and inclusion cornerstones of product and service design, rather than an afterthought. Including these people in user-centered designs enables organizations not only to meet legal requirements and strengthen their social responsibility, but also to drive significant social change. Our approach is therefore anchored in the principle "Nothing about us without us".

How does the project work and who can take part?

Boryana Milova: The project is designed to be easy and time-efficient for organizations. EnableMe Insights offers a kind of matchmaking by bringing together two interested target groups. We recruit participants, design, conduct and analyze studies and product tests to provide concrete recommendations for improved accessibility to organizations, informed by people with disabilities.

Any person of legal age with a disability and/or chronic illness in a German-speaking country who would like to proactively contribute their insights and experience to the design of everyday products and services can take part. Each participation in a study is remunerated.

Why is the participation of people with disabilities in scientific and product development such an important issue?

Boryana Milova: One in six people in our society lives with a disability or chronic illness. This is a significant part of our community whose voice is often overlooked. Without their participation, isolation and exclusion occur, which is not in keeping with the democratic values of a modern country. In addition, there are high costs for companies and administrations due to adaptations, misguided innovations and missed opportunities to tap into the market and the diverse potential of people with disabilities. This is particularly relevant in times of skills shortages.

Over 97% of disabilities occur in the course of a lifetime – any one of us could find ourselves in this new life situation within seconds. We talk a lot about diversity, but the inclusion of people with disabilities is often neglected. Yet people with disabilities are the largest minority in society and their inclusion belongs in any discussion on diversity.

Including people with disabilities in design according to the principle "Nothing about us without us" also has many positive side effects. For example, families with baby carriages or people with broken limbs also benefit from physically accessible environments. Accessibility for people with hearing impairments through written texts in lectures improves understanding for all students, including foreign students who may have previously struggled to follow the lecture.

What do real inclusion and accessibility mean?

Boryana Milova: For us, true inclusion and accessibility mean that people with disabilities can fully participate in and help shape social life. Our vision is a society in which this is a matter of course.

True inclusion is achieved when:

• Active participation in social life is possible for people with all types of disabilities without any problems or barriers.
• People with disabilities are included in user-centered development processes from the outset.
• Accessibility and inclusion are principles and not just an afterthought – so that everyone can participate and their potential is utilized.
• People with disabilities are recognized for their authentic and unique abilities and strengths and their personal development is enabled in every life situation.
• People with disabilities can fully contribute their skills and strengths in the primary labor market (where possible) through reasonable accommodation, leading to effective economic performance and an enriching work environment.
• Every person, regardless of characteristics such as background, health limitations or gender, is recognized for their unique abilities, perspectives and talents. Every person should have the opportunity to develop and make a positive contribution to the common good by fulfilling their social responsibilities.

What are the current problems?

Boryana Milova: There is a lack of widespread awareness of the issue with persistent limiting beliefs about the ability of people with disabilities. For example, 96% of the internet is not fully accessible and 38% of everyday products also pose accessibility challenges.

In addition, there are widespread prejudices that adapted products are worse or more expensive. However, the past has shown that inclusive products are often more ergonomic and user-friendly for everyone. After all, the electric toothbrush, texting and emails were originally developed with people with disabilities in mind and have proven to be ergonomically superior for all.

These issues and limiting beliefs highlight the importance of integrating accessibility and inclusion into the development process from the outset and raising awareness of the benefits of accessible designs.

How can people with disabilities, but also companies, benefit from EnableMe "Insights"?

Boryana Milova: EnableMe "Insights" gives people with disabilities a platform where their voices are heard. We multiply their wealth of perspectives and ensure that this is heard by decision-makers. In addition, they receive fair compensation for each participation in an Insights project, which contributes to their financial independence.

Companies also benefit in several ways: they can drive innovation, position themselves more strongly in terms of their social responsibility and attract talent in the process. By proactively involving people with disabilities, they can save costs and ensure that they meet all compliance legislation and new EU regulations. Ultimately, they increase their ability to innovate and tap into new market segments.

What role can a trade fair like REHACARE play in supporting the aims of the project?

Boryana Milova: REHACARE plays a crucial role in raising awareness of the opportunities for true inclusion. With the #TogetherForInclusion campaign, it makes a significant contribution to eliminating prejudice and moving towards a society in which everyone is valued for their talents.

By participating at REHACARE, we can make direct contact with organizations and increase the visibility of our initiatives, including EnableMe Insights. We hope that the trade fair will serve as a platform for numerous new implementation partners with whom we can carry out Insights projects. In addition, the fair promotes general dialogue between decision-makers, developers and stakeholders, which leads to greater involvement of different target groups and ultimately the realization of our impact goals.

Our community is active and enthusiastic about the opportunity to participate in the co-development of products and services. We invite all companies at REHACARE to get in touch with us and work together to drive real inclusion through participation.

Matthias Groß
REHACARE.com