EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
DESIGN OPPORTUNITY
Elsa, an 8-year-old girl in a wheelchair with limited strength and range of motion due to arthrogryposis, is
currently unable to put on and take off a shirt on her own.
PURPOSE AND SCOPE
We designed a device that will aid our user in putting on her Chicago Public Schools polo shirt. The design
had to allow her to put on and take off a shirt in under five minutes with little to no outside assistance, be
safe, portable, easy to use and compact. Our primary user is Elsa, though our design may be modified to
assist other users with arthrogryposis.
METHODOLOGY
We evaluated, modified and eliminated several mockups through performance testing, two user testing
sessions, a client interview and an expert interview. Through this iterative process of designing, testing and
reviewing, we decided on our final design due to its simplicity, compactness and ease of use.
DESIGN AND BENEFITS
The DressyBars is a simple, easy-to-use device that consists of two folding bars and a folding clip
attachment mounted to a board which hangs over a door by a pair of nylon straps and a set of six suction
cups. For use, the bars are pulled out toward the user and a shirt is mounted on their ends, held open by
the clip attachment. The user then leans forward to insert their arms and head into the shirt, and leans back
to remove the shirt from the device. For storage, the bars and clip attachment fold flat against the board.
Figure 1 displays usage of the device. Table 1 outlines key features of the design.
Figure 1: Using the DressyBars
Feature
Ease of use
Time Efficiency
Space Efficiency
Portability
Benefit
A shirt is quickly and easily mounted to the device so the user simply bends forward
and back to insert their arms and head into the shirt.
Total setup and use of the device takes less than three minutes.
The foldable, over-the-door design is only 3.5 inches deep when in the storage position.
The device is lightweight and easily mounted to any standard door.
Table 1: Features and benefits of the DressyBars
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