Product Ideation by Persons with Disabilities: An Analysis of Lead User Characteristics

Abstract

Product dissatisfaction among persons with disabilities is not uncommon. Innovation theory suggests that dissatisfied users who stand to benefit from having their unmet needs solved, are likely to be product innovators. However, among disabled persons, little empirical research has thus far been done to determine their degree of ideation, or which characteristics are associated with product ideators. Within this study, we present results from a survey of 178 persons with disabilities, exploring their ideas for products. A panel of two expert judges evaluated their ideas based on user value, feasibility and originality. Using the total score of these three attributes, we used a hierarchical multiple regression model to explore which user attributes can be associated with the best ideas. Our results indicate that overall product dissatisfaction and academic degree ownership both effect idea quality. Furthermore, 12% of respondents also generated ideas that are relevant for non-disabled people.