From the Wall Street Journal:

Home appliance manufacturers are hoping to combat drooping revenues by developing more universally accessible equipment geared to the needs of aging baby boomers.

Among the planned innovations are easy-open oven doors, jumbo washing machine knobs and remote-control window motors.

The nation’s 76 million baby boomers control the biggest share of purchasing power for the roughly $25 billion U.S. appliance market, and many are already experiencing some symptoms of aging. In addition, more than half of Americans are expected to have elder-care responsibilities within 10 years, and many will want senior-friendly homes.

Manufacturers are training young designers by using “empathy sessions” and simulations to build understanding of some of the physical aspects of aging. Video included.

(Whirlpool photo)

From USA Today:

Boss Hoss founder Monte Warne was inspired by a longtime friend who uses a wheelchair, Larry Curry (shown left), to design the Boss Hoss Advantage Trike, a high-power, wheelchair-accessible motorcycle.

Boss Hoss, a small motorcycle company based in Dyersburg [TN], is teaming with V8 Performance to offer an $8,000 conversion kit, which can turn a Boss Hoss Sierra Truck Trike into a hand-operable machine.

… The front of the trike resembles a traditional motorcycle cruiser, while the fiberglass-covered rear looks like that of a pickup. Ordinarily, the rear would be used as storage space, but on the Advantage Trike, it conceals a wheelchair lift built into the chassis.

Rad Hunsley, chief operating officer for Boss Hoss, says the trike allows people to “express their freedom” while “flying down the road.”

The [UK] Independent:

Visionary British engineer Mike Spindle spent six years working alone, developing a high-performance wheelchair that would also look fabulous. The result is the Trekinetic, an all-terrain vehicle which sports a molded carbon fiber seat, three wheels, drum brakes and a simplified folding mechanism.

In the process of developing his design, Spindle has completely transformed an established, mature product, and, by extension, the market for that product. The Trekinetic is now being sold in in the UK, Belgium, the Netherlands and Australia, and Spindle is pursuing his ambition of being “a major player in the global mobility scene.”

(Photo from the Independent)

From Associated Press/ABC News:

Jeffrey Lovitky’s successful lawsuit against the U.S. Treasury Department was fueled by his memory of the woman he loved.

He describes Sandra Welner (left) as a determined and brilliant woman who overcame significant obstacles and continued to work as a gynecologist after she lost her vision. Dr. Welner ran a clinic for women with disabilities at Washington Hospital Center and was a faculty member of Georgetown and Maryland University medical centers. She died in 2001.

Lovitky filed the lawsuit on behalf of the American Council of the Blind, arguing that the Treasury Department is violating the law by failing to design and issue currency that is readily distinguishable to people who are blind or have visual impairments.

A recent favorable ruling on the case by a federal appeals court could force the U.S. to redesign its money.

Earlier post here.

(AP photo)

From the [Oklahoma City] Oklahoman:

As baby boomers age, homebuyers are increasingly looking for universal design elements that will help people with disabilities live independently. Features such as wheelchair accessibility, open floor plans, walk-in showers and ground floor bedrooms are gaining in popularity.

“As people age, they get scared about giving up their independence. We are trying to provide independence, but in a much safer environment, security wise and medical wise,” said builder Jim McWhirter, president of the Central Oklahoma Home Builders Association.

From the Canadian Press:

Canada’s currency has tiny bumps in the upper right corner to help people with impaired vision know the denomination of each bill. The dots were introduced in 2001 after consultation with advocacy groups, and were chemically treated for durability. Still, authorities say, they have been flattening out with use. The Bank of Canada is exploring other possibilities to enhance accessibility for its next series of notes, which will be issued in 2011.

The most recent series of Canadian banknotes also has other features to help those with poor vision — larger numbers and contrasting colors. In addition, the bank provides eligible people with a device that reads bills and indicates their denomination by tone, vibration or voice.

“It’s not the best solution,” said Cathy Moore of the Canadian National Institute for the Blind, “because it’s a little thing you have to carry in your pocket. And it reads out loud so you feel a little bit of a goof in a store with your reader saying ’20′, ’20′.”

Many see no need, doubt it will happen

From the Cleveland Plain Dealer:

A federal appeals court ruled this week that the country’s paper currency, with its uniform size and shape of bills, discriminates against blind people, but the system hasn’t slowed down blind business operators downtown.

In Cleveland, several government buildings have snack stands operated by blind people. Some vendors said they were unaware of the court’s decision and have ways to work around their impairment.

… Barbara Pierce, president of the Ohio chapter of the National Federation of the Blind, said blind people have more-pressing needs.