Empathic modelling in teaching design for all

This paper describes the use of empathic modelling in teaching design for all and suggests the steps and ‘props’ that have been used successfully to carry out a simulation workshop with university students. This method has demonstrated that students in ergonomics and design can be effectively encouraged to think about how we take our senses and abilities for granted, as well as what coping strategies and adaptation techniques might be used by older and disabled people. It is suggested that the use of empathic modelling techniques can contribute to the development of core knowledge sets and skills that should be part of curricula in design for all, being promoted by the EU IDCnet project.