A growing demand for packaging which caters for the disabled and ageing has prompted the Australian Institute of Packaging (AIP) to organise a half-day training course on accessible packaging design.
The course, to be held on 3 August in Melbourne, will explain how to meet the needs of people who find it difficult to open packaging, whether children, the elderly, or those with disabilities.
The course presenter will be AIP president Michael Grima, who, with his company QDesign Enterprises, recently helped Nestle Health Science design a 'sipper cup'-type product called Resource ThickenUp Hydration for dysphagia sufferers.
Michael Grima, above.
Grima will explain why accessible design and ease-of-use are increasingly important design elements in packaging.
The training course has been developed in conjunction with Arthritis Australia and Georgia Tech Research Institute in the US.
It will cover the accessible design guidelines that are available as tools locally and overseas.
Grima will give examples from around the world, provide information on changing household demographics, meal preparation requirements, case studies from users, and measuring techniques.
Earlier this year, Health Purchasing Victoria (HPV) signed a catering supplies contract to mandate that public hospital suppliers provide Packaging Accessibility Ratings.
You can register for the course, to be held in St Kilda, here.
