Drivers for change: Initial insights from mapping half a century of inclusive paediatric mobility design

Abstract

Inclusive Paediatric Mobility (IPM) design is the application of an inclusive design process to create mobility interventions such as wheelchairs, walking aids and exoskeletons, with the fundamental goal of optimising the experience of childhood. The field of IPM has experienced growing attention from a wide range of disciplines and stakeholders, resulting in increased knowledge and the development of new interventions. However, there remains a myriad of issues around the viability, feasibility, and desirability of paediatric mobility products and services, as well as poor documentation of the successes, failures, and approaches used within the field. This paper maps out the history of the field across four categories of contributions i.e. Interventional, Theoretical, Methodological, and Empirical. Key drivers for change identified through the mapping review include Documentation and Representation, Design Approach, Interdisciplinarity, Regionality, and Operational and Market characteristics. These findings offer a starting point for reimagining the future of IPM design.