KerimeSiller

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Kerime Siller | Product Design

Hanna Vice | User Research

Team

Sept-Dec 2025

Timeline

Physical Product

Platform

Creating an accessible product that empowers disabled

individuals to shower with ease.

Redefining shower accessibility with
Daily Living Labs

AT A GLANCE

Creating a platform that connects designers

with the real needs of disabled individuals

in their daily lives at home.

We created Daily Living Labs to help disabled individuals

find accessible products with ease and request to have

products created to help with their accessibility needs.

As part of the product development team, I created a low-

cost DIY shower accessibility aid that allows the user to

limit their time on task and stay stationary during their

shampoo process.

THE PROBLEM

We researched 40+ different accessibility aids and none of

them met the needs or required a caregiver for those who

struggle with MS (Ataxia), Cerebral Palsy, Parkinson's or other

disabilities that limit upper body movement.

There are no products on the market that

promote autonomy for shampooing.

Sarah Todd Hammer

Users have to struggle to keep their basic hygiene.

Sarah Todd Hammer

Users often get suboptimal results from self-shampooing.

Briel Adams-Wheatley

Users often need longer shower times due to disability.

THE QUESTION

How can I create a low-cost shampoo aid that

promotes autonomy for disabled individuals?

Our product team developed 6 products that assist in ADL’s. We initially sorted these concepts into an impact feasibility chart that would help inform our decision making.

Browse our Figjam here!

50+ concepts created, turned into 6 real products.

After our research team conducted interviews with caregivers and care recipients they found that the solutions created were mainly centering the space of the bathroom but not the activities going inside.

DISCOVERY

We identified 8 ADL barriers; bathing and

grooming being the most underrepresented.

Roll-in shower used by CG-1

Shower chair used by CG-1

ADL identification

After watching her accessible bathroom tour on Youtube I realized that she still lacked a way to comfortably and easily shampoo her hair due to her cerebral palsy.

I began sketching my concepts.

IDEATION

I became inspired by Sarah Todd Hammer’s

accessible bathroom that was still limited.

In this first sketch the soap dispenser would be powered by an air pump that would feed the soap into
the shower water and therefore onto the users head.
In this second sketch I wondered if there way a way to directly attach the soap dispenser
to the air pump (to no avail).
In my final sketch I finally introduced the idea of an automatic soap dispenser that
was wall-mounted.
In this first sketch the soap dispenser would be powered by an air pump that would feed the soap into
the shower water and therefore onto the users head.
In this second sketch I wondered if there way a way to directly attach the soap dispenser
to the air pump (to no avail).
In my final sketch I finally introduced the idea of an automatic soap dispenser that
was wall-mounted.
In this first sketch the soap dispenser would be powered by an air pump that would feed the soap into
the shower water and therefore onto the users head.
In this second sketch I wondered if there way a way to directly attach the soap dispenser
to the air pump (to no avail).
In my final sketch I finally introduced the idea of an automatic soap dispenser that
was wall-mounted.
In this first sketch the soap dispenser would be powered by an air pump that would feed the soap into
the shower water and therefore onto the users head.
In this second sketch I wondered if there way a way to directly attach the soap dispenser
to the air pump (to no avail).
In my final sketch I finally introduced the idea of an automatic soap dispenser that
was wall-mounted.

This prototype allowed the user to directly pump soap onto their head by pressing the button on the air pump.
I created my first working prototype.
In version 3.0 I introduced the suction cup mount, allowing for users to comfortably place their dispenser wherever.
I soon recognized the inability to re-fill
the shampoo dispenser.
In version 4 the motion sensor shampoo dispenser was introduced.
After testing with our first user, the idea of
automation was introduced.
Finally, after being tested by 7 disabled individuals at The Coventry Reserve the automatic soap dispenser needed to be completed with the addition of a scrub brush.
As more testing happened the need for a
complete package grew.
This prototype allowed the user to directly pump soap onto their head by pressing the button on the air pump.
I created my first working prototype.
In version 3.0 I introduced the suction cup mount, allowing for users to comfortably place their dispenser wherever.
I soon recognized the inability to re-fill
the shampoo dispenser.
In version 4 the motion sensor shampoo dispenser was introduced.
After testing with our first user, the idea of
automation was introduced.
Finally, after being tested by 7 disabled individuals at The Coventry Reserve the automatic soap dispenser needed to be completed with the addition of a scrub brush.
As more testing happened the need for a
complete package grew.
This prototype allowed the user to directly pump soap onto their head by pressing the button on the air pump.
I created my first working prototype.
In version 3.0 I introduced the suction cup mount, allowing for users to comfortably place their dispenser wherever.
I soon recognized the inability to re-fill
the shampoo dispenser.
In version 4 the motion sensor shampoo dispenser was introduced.
After testing with our first user, the idea of
automation was introduced.
Finally, after being tested by 7 disabled individuals at The Coventry Reserve the automatic soap dispenser needed to be completed with the addition of a scrub brush.
As more testing happened the need for a
complete package grew.
This prototype allowed the user to directly pump soap onto their head by pressing the button on the air pump.
I created my first working prototype.
In version 3.0 I introduced the suction cup mount, allowing for users to comfortably place their dispenser wherever.
I soon recognized the inability to re-fill
the shampoo dispenser.
In version 4 the motion sensor shampoo dispenser was introduced.
After testing with our first user, the idea of
automation was introduced.
Finally, after being tested by 7 disabled individuals at The Coventry Reserve the automatic soap dispenser needed to be completed with the addition of a scrub brush.
As more testing happened the need for a
complete package grew.

I aided in designing our "House of Possibilities" activity for our first workshop. This workshop's main purpose was to inform potential approaches and create a guide for future workshops.

Planning and executing our first workshop.

From my first iteration that was completely manual to my final product that is automatic and adjustable, I have learned that starting complex allows you to fine tune details into something so simple but truly accessible.

Zebreda, from Zebreda makes it work, taught me that accessible tools do not have to be beautiful and complicated, they simply have to work in tandem with the user.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Accessible products do not need to be

elaborate and expensive.

THE FEATURES

Retractable mount with telescoping arm highlights adaptability.

Cup holder allows for easy and quick refills.

Suction cup grip allows for easy install and re-adjustment.

Motion sensor activates automatic dispensing.

Stationary scrub brush allows for easy lathering.

Tool kit streamlines shampooing process.

After 6 user-tested iterations I created a shampoo kit that includes an automatic shampoo dispenser and scalp scrub brush that enables the user to complete their shampoo process in 3 simple steps.

It was imperative that both tools were adjustable to accommodate user’s needs. The motion sensor shampoo dispenser was crucial in creating a truly automatic product.

I designed an adjustable shampoo dispenser

and scrub brush for less than $40 each.

THE SOLUTION

3 steps to the perfect shampoo process.