I’m starting to recognize how many products lack accessible design

I recently learned something valuable: Not every item we buy is made to accommodate people with disabilities. This realization came with a mix of frustration and enlightenment, sparked by something as mundane — and essential — as a computer screen.

My epiphany started when my wife‘s laptop broke, the screen fracturing in a way that made it impossible to use. Jill, my wife, was mortified and immediately blamed herself. She worried that her Huntington’s disease, with its hallmark involuntary movements caused by chorea, had caused her to move in just the wrong way, pressing too hard or snapping the hinge too quickly. Her guilt was so overwhelming that she didn’t even want to replace it, convinced that she’d just break it again.

Her computer, though, is more than just a device. It’s a tool that enables her to connect to the world, express herself, and find entertainment. And in many ways, it helps her to be independent. I couldn’t stand the thought of her losing those lifelines, so I insisted we get it repaired.

Then, several days later, my laptop screen cracked, too. And while I may be many things, I’m certain I don’t have chorea. In fact, Jill teases me about how carefully I handle my computer, likening it to how someone would cradle a newborn. That’s when I realized something wasn’t adding up.

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When we went to an Apple Store’s Genius Bar to check on both of our screens, we got our answer. It turns out the computer screens weren’t broken by Jill’s movements — or by my carelessness. We were told that these laptops are so fragile that even a crumb left on the keyboard when you close the lid can crack the screen. Opening it too quickly or at the wrong angle can do the same.

The relief on Jill’s face was immediate. She hadn’t done anything wrong.

But as we left the store, Jill made a simple yet profound observation: “If it’s this fragile, how are people like me supposed to use it? Or anyone with a disability, really?”

Her words stayed with me. She wasn’t just talking about the computer. Jill’s comment opened the door to a broader realization about how so many of the items we use in our daily lives are not designed for people with disabilities.

A turning point

Take something as simple as a jar of peanut butter. A sturdy grip and steady hand are needed to twist it open. For someone with chorea, it’s a small battle every time. Even kitchen utensils, remote controls, or furniture can be challenging when their design assumes a level of dexterity, strength, or stillness that some people just don’t have.

It’s not just frustrating; it’s disheartening. These items are meant to make our lives easier, but for people with disabilities, they can often become obstacles instead.

Jill’s experience with the laptop screen was a turning point for us. It wasn’t just about replacing a device; it was about recognizing how the world is often built without considering the full spectrum of human needs. And that has to change.

Manufacturers, designers, and engineers, this is our plea to you: Think bigger. Think beyond the “average user.” Consider the hands that might tremble, the movements that might not be fluid, the bodies that are tired from battling diseases like Huntington’s. Your products don’t just exist in an abstract market — they exist in our lives, in our homes, and in our hands.

What Jill and I both realized this week is that inclusivity shouldn’t be an afterthought, but rather the foundation of good design. The more accessible and durable a product is, the more people it can serve. That’s not just good business; it’s basic humanity.

For now, we’ve replaced Jill’s laptop, and she’s back to the online world she loves. But this experience has stayed with us as a reminder of how fragile life and things can be — and how resilient people like Jill must be to navigate a world that often isn’t built for them.

Our hope is that one day, the tools we all rely on will reflect the diverse ways we move, think, and live. Because everyone, regardless of ability, deserves to feel that the world was made with them in mind.

Note: Huntington’s Disease News is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Huntington’s Disease News or its parent company, Bionews, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to Huntington’s disease.