Designing seating for everyone: a student partnership with Ability Works
Designing seating for everyone: a student partnership with Ability Works
Public transport should be accessible, comfortable, and inclusive for all passengers. That was the goal when Ability Works partnered with Braydon Ligthart, a final‑year Product Design Engineering student from Swinburne University, to explore new seating solutions.
Braydon brought both academic knowledge and industry experience – having worked in rail engineering roles – but he knew the most important insights would come from people with lived experience. “I don’t have a disability, but I was designing for people who do,” he explained. “Their input made sure the seat was practical and useful. Without their feedback, the design would not be as strong.”
During his time at Ability Works, Braydon listened to employees with diverse needs and tested ideas that could make travel safer and more comfortable. Together, they explored features such as:
- Rotating armrests for easier access
- Braille buttons for passengers with vision impairment
- NFC tags to provide quick digital information
- Extra cushioning for added comfort
The prototype received enthusiastic feedback. Participants were excited about how these features could improve everyday journeys. For Braydon, the process was transformative: “I learned what makes a design accessible and how to integrate user needs and feedback into the process. It changed how I think about design.”
Looking ahead, Braydon plans to refine the prototype and collaborate with train operators to ensure the seating works in real‑world settings. He’s also committed to embedding lived experience into future projects through surveys, user testing, and focus groups. “This experience showed me how vital it is to involve people with lived experience,” he said. “It keeps the product truly user‑centred.”
This collaboration is more than a student project – it’s a step toward public transport that supports diversity, inclusion, and independence for everyone.