Toes That Look Like Toes

Abstract

When designing assistive devices for people with disabilities in developing countries, product developers tend to prioritize economic and technical requirements, ignoring aesthetic and cultural issues. This can result in devices that create or reinforce social barriers, creating negative impacts on users’ self-esteem and sense of well-being. To understand the social implications of using prosthetic legs for Cambodian children, a pilot research study was conducted in Phnom Penh and surrounding provinces. I used innovative research methods to help children share their perspectives. The objective was to help product designers develop improved assistive devices that not only increase mobility for child prosthesis users but also support the sociocultural integration of these children and their families. A philosophical hermeneutics research approach was used to seek the views of three children. The findings are useful for nongovernmental organizations and product developers that focus on the needs of impoverished children in rural, predominantly Buddhist communities.