At the start of the new millenium, it is time to reflect on a changed reality with potent implications for design. Never before in human history have humans lived so long or survived illness and injury so much. The old assumptions about users - that most fell within average norms and a small and readily identifiable percentage had special needs - must be put aside. Science, medicine, and technology have succeeded in dramatically extending our lives. It is time for design to catch up. Variation in ability is not special but ordinary and effects most of us for some part of our lives.
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This article originally appeared in the February/March 2002 issue of the Taiwanese publication Design.
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148
