Research on the Design of Multi-Functional Dining Tables for an Accessible Dining Experience

Abstract

Traditional dining tables often lack adjustability in height, legroom, and operability for wheelchair users and disabled older adults, limiting their suitability in accessible dining contexts. This study proposes and evaluates three multifunctional dining table concepts tailored to diverse physical abilities. Field observations of home mealtime routines were conducted, user-journey maps were developed, and affinity diagramming was applied to synthesize requirements. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) reduced the dimensionality of the requirements and revealed latent factors shaping the accessible dining experience. Order Relation Analysis (ORA) and the Criteria Importance Through Intercriteria Correlation (CRITIC) method were used to derive combined subjective and objective indicator weights that informed the design specifications. Three wheelchair compatible prototypes were generated and comparatively assessed, and the Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to the Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) identified the top-performing concept. Results indicate improvements in functional reach, operational convenience, and dining safety relative to conventional tables. The study provides a replicable workflow that integrates user research with multi-criteria decision making for accessible furniture design. Future work will embed sensing and actuation to enhance automation and adaptability, facilitating broader deployment in universal design.