AKW launched the 'Mullen Shower Mat,' an accessible showering solution for people with visual impairments. This shower mat is not a traditional rubber non-slip mat for shower access, though. Instead, this mat provides a level-access showering solution by raising a certain area of the floor. The raised, textured shower mat allows users to determine the boundaries of the shower without needing to physically see the floor.
AKW's Mullen Shower Mat is easy to install and can be installed on either wood or concrete floors. Once installed, the mat provides a non-slip surface with the ability to support up to 420 pounds. For users that may find the raised rim of the mat challenging, AKW bundles its shower mat with a raised ramp that can be installed on either side of the mat. For users who would rather mount the shower mat to be flush with the wall, it is approximately 1-inch tall, requiring a 1-inch recess to be installed in the floor.
Image Credit: AKW
Key Themes Behind This Trend
- Accessible Shower Solutions
- There is an opportunity to design a range of innovative products that cater to people with disabilities and the elderly, providing them with accessible showering options that are easy to install and cost-effective.
- Visual Impairment Assistance Devices
- There is an opportunity to create more devices that help people with disabilities and the elderly navigate their daily lives independently, especially in cases where visual impairment is a challenge, such as the AKW Mullen Shower Mat.
- Textured Non-slip Mats
- There is an opportunity to design non-slip mats with texture markers and beveled edges that cater to people with disabilities and the elderly, assisting them in navigating their daily lives more easily and safely.
Where This Applies
- Assistive Technology
- The assistive technology industry has an opportunity to develop more effective and affordable technologies for people with disabilities and the elderly, such as the AKW Mullen Shower Mat.
- Healthcare
- The healthcare industry can embrace accessible showering solutions as a way to care and provide for older populations with disabilities, preserving their dignity and independence.
- Home Improvement
- The home improvement industry can introduce new cost-effective design options to serve households with elderly people and those with disabilities, aiming to provide safe and accessible homeware via solutions such as the AKW Mullen Shower Mat.
