Ikea Develops Printed Furniture Accessories for the Disabled

Ikea is known for affordable, flat-pack furniture with sleek, modern designs. However, not all of those designs are necessarily workable for people with disabilities.

Ikea Israel has partnered with two non-profit organizations–Milbat and Access Israel–to create a line of 3D-printed add-ons that can help the disabled better use Ikea’s furniture. The line, called ThisAbles, includes 13 different designs.

According to the company:

“As part of IKEA’s vision to ‘create a better everyday life for as many people as possible,’ we joined forces with the non-profit organizations Milbat and Access Israel, that specialize in creating special solutions for populations with special needs and disabilities, and developed a new and revolutionary line of products that bridge some of the gaps between existing IKEA products and the special needs of people belonging to these populations.”

Customers can download the print files for free, but have to find their own way to print them. The company has also released detailed assembly instructions.

The ThisAbles accessories can be slipped over the Ikea furniture to increase button sizes, for example, or raise a couch so that it is easier to get up off the cushions.

Ikea Israel has also released a series of video instructions on how to use the printed accessories on the company’s YouTube page.

Ikea Israel is also looking for additional suggestions about other product accessories that could help disabled customers.

Source: Ikea Israel