Design a vending machine for disabled people.

This question aims to assess your problem-solving ability, creativity, and understanding of inclusive design. The interviewer seeks to assess your ability to envision a product that is accessible and user-friendly for people with disabilities. When answering this question, it is important to consider various forms of disability, such as mobility impairments, visual impairments, hearing impairments, and cognitive disabilities. Also, it is crucial to maintain a user-centered perspective, focusing on how your design decisions would benefit the user.

Key points to focus on include:

1. Understand the user needs: Identify the needs and constraints of users with different types of disabilities.
2. Prioritize accessibility: Your design should be accessible to all users, regardless of their disability type.
3. Focus on practicality: Ensure that the machine is not just theoretical but practical and implementable.

Designing a vending machine for disabled people requires careful consideration to make it as inclusive as possible. This vending machine will be designed with accessibility features suitable for people with different forms of disabilities.

For those with mobility impairments, the machine would be at a lower height, so people in wheelchairs can easily access it. The buttons for selecting items would be large and easy to press.

Visually impaired users would benefit from Braille markings beside the buttons. To cater to this group, an audio feedback system can be integrated, where the selection button speaks out the product's name and price when pressed.

Hearing-impaired users would be taken into consideration by including visual feedback, like flashing lights or a screen that displays the steps being taken.

Moreover, for people with cognitive disabilities, a straightforward and clear interface with simple instructions would be available. This can be enhanced by color coding sections of the vending machine to highlight the payment, selection, and pickup areas distinctly.

All users would be able to reach customer service via a prominent 'help' button or a telephone service in case of difficulties. The machine would also be designed to be easy to service by maintenance personnel.

When designing a vending machine for disabled people, the first thing that comes to mind is inclusivity. To ensure the machine can be used by everyone, various accessibility features should be included.

Users with mobility impairments will be able to access lowered vending machine designs. Large buttons and a touch-screen interface that can be easily navigated would be included, making it accommodating for users with fine motor skill difficulties.

Visual guidance, such as high-contrast color coding and large icons, will make the vending machine user-friendly for visually impaired users. For users who can't read from the screen or Braille, an audio interface where the machine reads out loud the options as the user scrolls through them could be integrated, along with headphone jacks for element of privacy.

For users with hearing impairments, flashing light notifications for each action would be helpful. For users with cognitive impairments, an user-friendly interface can be designed that includes simple instructions, easy prompts and confirmation steps to avoid mistakes during selection or payment phases.

In addition, the vending machine could be equipped with a remote assistance feature. This feature allows a support person to guide the user remotely through the steps of using the machine, if they find it challenging.