The Ugliness of Mobility Aids

Hello Aesthetics People!

Aesthetics permeates all aspects of our lives. This happens to such an extent that we easily overlook its impact, both positively and negatively. To illustrate this impact, here’s an example from a student project, which I have been given permission to share.

I teach a course at Massachusetts College of Art and Design called “History of Aesthetics: Putting Ideas into Practice.” While we primarily read selections from the history of philosophy, we spend a couple weeks on beauty politics—how aesthetics impacts social, political, and ethical issues. Many of these readings come from sociology. We discuss how beauty and aesthetics affect retail workers, climate change, and prison reform. And we discuss issues like colorism, blackfishing, and mental health.

The students are assigned a project where they have to present an issue that is impacted or affected by aesthetics, positively or negatively. One of my students, Liz Harby, focused on the ugliness of mobility aids for her project. For part of the project, she interviewed her friend Stella McLaughlin, who gets around in a wheelchair. Mobility aids are those devices, like canes, walkers, and wheelchairs, that help people move about in the world. While these devices certainly need to be functional, they do not need to be devoid of positive aesthetic features.

Such mobility aids are described as ugly, dull, inelegant, and institutional.

Why shouldn’t we think of mobility aids as merely functional? Let’s begin by saying that having that functionality is better than not having it, even if these mobility aids are ugly. But this should immediately strike people as insufficient. If you only needed a cane for a week, it may not matter so much what it looked like, as you use it with full knowledge of it being gone soon. But for many people, these aids are not temporary.

Suppose someone is a really gifted musician, say a guitar player. We might describe their guitar as an extension of their body. We say this because they’re talent is so good that their body and guitar seem united. Stella offers a similar thought when she says, “My wheelchair is an extension of my body, and I want it to be cute.” To people who rely on mobility aids, they are a part of their body and their identity. And this is why mobility aids should have better aesthetics.

To give another example, suppose you need to buy pants. Then, suppose further that after determining your price range, size, and other practical options, you have only two choices of pants. And you don’t like either one. But you need pants, so you buy the slightly better option, even though it is merely adequate. While these pants will fulfill the basic function of covering your legs or protecting you from cold, they don’t reflect anything about your identity because they do not possess an aesthetic that you like. This is analogous to the limited options for mobility aids.

One specific thing that Stella wants is more color options. Her wheelchair only had five color choices when she got it. She said, “Mobility aids aren’t sad, and they don’t need to be hidden.” They can be bright, loud, multi-colored, or covered with sparkles. They should reflect your personality. As another example, it shouldn’t be so difficult to customize your wheelchair. Stella uses a power chair, and she has searched for a custom joystick, spoke covers for her wheels, and colorful footplates. But these are not easily found. You can have these custom made, but they might not work as seamlessly with your chair model. And they are usually very expensive.

Functionality, as mentioned, is very important for mobility aids. But even there, they fail. For instance, Stella mentions, “I want adaptive backpacks (and not only in black), I want functional cup holders, phone holders, and umbrellas.” These accessories are available, albeit in limited stock, but they are too generic to be of good use for everyone.

In her project, Liz explained that it does not convey a positive message that mobility aids are usually ugly. While many younger people might be more vocal about the lack of aesthetics. The problem goes for all ages of mobility aid users. The ugliness helps reinforce the notion that people using mobility aids are stuck or helpless. In other words, the aesthetics means something, and better aesthetics for mobility aids could help change how we think about them as a culture.

A final word from Stella:

“It’s okay to compliment mobility aids! I have to work hard to find cute things to customize my chair and make it as cute as it is, and I LOVE when people tell me that they love it. It’s okay to love wheelchairs or any mobility aid. It’s okay to make mobility aid users feel confident in our mobility aids—we probably really need that.”

Conclusion

Form follows function. Many people have heard that phrase. It puts form as subordinate to function. They are reciprocal. They may not always need to be equal in every situation, but neither one is the sole leader that the other follows. This three-word phrase continues to plague our collective thinking, so that we often adopt the “good enough” attitude. Something functions and it looks good enough, so it’s fine. But this is not good enough.

Some companies refuse to settle for function without aesthetics. The Alternative Limb Project makes prosthetic limbs are functional but possess amazing aesthetic appeal, catered to each client. Yanko Design makes wooden wheelchairs that are both eco-friendly and aesthetically pleasing, all while serving an important function. Art Walking Sticks makes canes that help those with mobility or balance concerns, but they also have a more pleasing appearance.

People view mobility aids merely as medical devices, which is encouraged by their ugly appearances. The products offered by these companies help us think about mobility aids in a new way. And it is for the better. Aesthetic experience is a core aspect of our humanity, and we should strive to make it accessible for everyone, regardless of their situation.

Relevant ARL Articles

Aesthetic Experience: A Basic Reason for Action

Quality Improvement for Healthcare

Aesthetics and New Product Design

ARL News

I’m giving a talk for the Centre for Conscious Design on Wednesday, May 1 at 2pm EST. The title is “Aesthetic Experience as a Basic Good.”

To invite me to write for or speak to your group or organization, please email me at michaelrspicher@gmail.com