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functional limitations associated with ageing. The suit was developed after
a thorough review of the physiological effects of the ageing process and its
consequences for older drivers, such as reduced mobility of joints and im-
paired vision. The aim was to enable engineers in the vehicle design indus-
try to immerse themselves in 'being a third ager', wearing the suit to climb
in and out of vehicles and to drive them. The impact of the Third Age Suit
on design practice has yet to be systematically assessed, but anecdotal evi-
dence suggests that wearing the suit sensitizes designers to the reality of
having special needs, and the importance therefore of designing to accom-
modate 'extraordinary' users.
9.7 Consensus Building
The myriad of different perspectives that the different stakeholders bring
with them to a design project means that there is potential for conflicting
views about their needs and priorities, or what constitutes the 'best' or
right solution in any given situation. Tools and techniques which help to
expose these differences and enable participants to discuss them and build
consensus will be important at different stages in the decision making
process. As Chapter 4 has shown, there are many examples of good prac-
tice in engaging citizens in shaping aspects of their own future. A first step
in creating technologies that positively contribute to a desirable future is
to enable participants not only to imagine and envision what a desirable
future might be for themselves, but to discuss, negotiate and arrive at a
consensus with other stakeholders about what it should be. Subsequently
stakeholders will need to achieve consensus about the way forward. While
positive endorsement of all aspects of a plan by stakeholders may not be
feasible, the process will expose disagreement or dissent which can then
be discussed and used to inform plans further.
9.7.1 The Search Conference
An effective participatory technique for this process is the Search Confer-
ence (Emery and Purser 1996) - sometimes called a Future Search Confer-
ence. This approach was used in the Macatawa Area Coordinating Council
case. A Search Conference is a participatory event that enables a group to
create and implement a plan. Based on the view that people have a desire
to make decisions about their own lives and futures, a Search Conference
brings together between twenty and thirty-five people who work together
as a group to develop strategic plans for a system they share. (This system
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