Could the Design Features of a Wheelchair Influence the User Experience and Stigmatization Perceptions of the Users?

In the last years, the ergonomic studies of wheelchairs emphasized only the mechanical functionalities, like materials, durability, and biomechanical aspects of wheelchair propulsion. However, despite the importance of these characteristics for the independence of people, few studies have highlighted the aspects related to their user experience (UX). An Assistive Technology is not objects of desire, like a mobile phone. A wheelchair can stigmatize the user and therefore influence their UX. This paper aims to evaluate the UX and perception of stigmatization, related to two wheelchairs, with different design solutions, by crossing this data with their self-esteem. AttralkDiff2, Perceived Stigmatization Questionnaire and Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale were applied to 26 wheelchair users during the visualization of two videos with the wheelchairs in a virtual 3D environment. Results indicate that a wheelchair with an innovative design, presents a better UX and less association with stigma when compared to a traditional wheelchair.