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Warning: Rant
My husband and I are both left-handed.

There are approximately 708 million left-handers in the world.

Over 9% of people are left-handed.

Apparently these numbers do not meet the threshold for inclusion in product design.

My former Mr. Coffee coffeemaker had ambidextrous functionality. The flap over the water reservoir opened to the back, allowing someone to pour water easily from either side.

My new Mr. Coffee coffeemaker includes a design change. The flap over the water reservoir opens to the left, making it almost impossible for me pour water into it.

I just bought a new electric water kettle. The first time I filled it with water, I guessed at the fill limit because I saw no markings inside.

Then I read the instruction manual that referenced the maximum fill line. What? Turns out, I can only see the fill line markings if I fill the kettle while holding it in my right hand. 🤦‍♀️

If you are a product designer, you commit design malpractice if you fail to acknowledge the existence of left-handers.

End rant.

#Accessibility #Lefthander #DEI #Inclusion #LefthandersArePeopleToo #Engineering #ProductDesign

A black Mr. Coffee coffeemaker on a kitchen counter. The water reservoir flap is up and hinges to the left. The only access for pouring is from the right.
A black electric water kettle on a kitchen counter. The handle is oriented to the right and the pour spout is on the left. The lid is flipped up. On the inside, stamped into the stainless steel, two fill line markers are visible.
#accessibility #engineering #inclusion #dei #productdesign #lefthander #lefthandersarepeopletoo

reshared this

in reply to Shannon Skinner (she/her)

wayfinder
wayfinder
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my personal pet peeve are playing cards that have the value in just two corners instead of all four - impossible to fan for left-handed players!
in reply to wayfinder

Shannon Skinner (she/her)
Shannon Skinner (she/her)
• •
My husband fans his cards out from the left. He has a difficult time playing card games due to this.
This entry was edited (3 months ago)
Unknown parent

Cavyherd
Cavyherd
• •

@PattyHanson
Leftie of my acquaintance would just flip the guitar over, though I'm confident that required extra Extra skill.

I've also heard of people who just reverse-string their guitars, which in many cases is serviceable *enough.* I imagine it depends a lot on the exact cross-section of the neck, though.

@PattyPancake
Unknown parent

Cavyherd
Cavyherd
• •

@PattyHanson
That's really interesting.

Granted, I saw this friend play something like 40 years ago.

But it does strongly suggest to me that it might be worth seeking a second (or third) opinion...?

@PattyPancake
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