An Ecosystem of Support: A U.S. State Government-Supported DIY-AT Program for Residents with Disabilities

Abstract

While Do-It-Yourself (DIY) approaches to producing customized assistive technology (AT) have been shown to support end-user agency and further technology democratization, research has shown that the utilization of digital fabrication tools requires a high level of technical expertise as well as financial investment. Facilitation of collaborations between end users and makers is a possible solution to these issues, however, previous efforts have uncovered issues around shared language, lack of consistent communication, and liability concerns. A promising direction for addressing these issues is to conceive of new types of multi-organizational collaborations that draw on complementary strengths. We explored these possibilities through an Action Research study in which we collaborated with the Maryland department of disability to launch a state level DIY-AT program. Through developing and supporting this program, we studied motivations for participation, relationships to creating and customizing AT, how individuals participated in and grew the program, and how the program allowed for individuals to reflect on their disabilities and AT use. Our findings generated an ecosystem model describing the interdependent relationships between and roles held by each stakeholder in the state DIY-AT program as well as a description of how this ecosystem encouraged expanding and transcending the understandings and definitions of AT and disability. We offer lessons learned for the design of future government-supported DIY-AT programs and reflections on the role of HCI researchers within these ecosystems.