LifeLabs Presents the Design-athon

November 2013 – In November, United Cerebral Palsy’s Life Labs partnered with Enabled by Design and Futuregov to host the first International Enabled by Design-athon in Washington, D.C.  Over 100 participants not only had the chance to hear from experts on accessibility and design, but were able to participate in an “immersive usability workshop,” where they created prototypes of accessible and attractive products. Of the event, Stephen Bennett, President and CEO of UCP, noted, “United Cerebral Palsy is thrilled to have hosted this year’s exciting and hugely successful Design-athon. Many of the prototypes built today have the potential to be fully developed, brought to market—and to change the lives of people with disabilities. In just its first year in the United States, the Design-athon has proved that it is not only a great opportunity for discussion and collaboration, but is truly an inspiration for innovation among some of our country’s top science and technology experts.”  Of all the prototypes created at the event, the top prize went to “Sous Chef,” “a mobile kitchen island with variable height.”