Jona: Assistive design for the moments that matter most
Jona is a supportive belt system that allows toddlers to safely ride on their parent's lap while the parent uses a wheelchair. This product reflects the beauty of how a simple solution can make a meaningful difference in the “small moments” of life — moments that mean the world to the people who experience them.
The Client
Yonatan tennenbaum
Main Goals
Enabling safe and stable lap-carrying of toddlers while using a wheelchair.
Overview
Yonatan, a father of two, loved letting his kids ride on his lap - but was concerned about their safety, especially outdoors.
This project was born from his desire for a safer way to carry toddlers while using a wheelchair. It was developed as part of "Accessible Parenting" by Milbat–Sheba, through the Fixperts program, where industrial design students create solutions for people with disabilities.
Optimal fit for toddlers aged 8 to 18 months.
Easy assembly and disassembly, optimized for one-handed operation.
Compact and foldable design for easy daily storage and transport.
Designed to fit various wheelchair models.
Target audience
Rolling parents
8-18 month old toddlers
My Process
Here's my journey in taking a product idea through to an advanced prototype.
01. Market Landscape
Before diving into how the product should be made and what it requires, we explored existing solutions to understand why they don’t fully address the need.
02. Discovery & Definition
In order to develop the optimal product, we first defined a set of core principles to guide us throughout the process.
Understanding the main key point:
Physical comfort
As we observed in many existing products on the market, a significant number are not well-suited for wheelchair users — mainly due to difficulties in operation and discomfort caused by leaning against the backrest.
Emotional comfort
A toddler’s safety is the top priority for any parent. That’s why trust in the product and its ability to securely stabilize the child on the parent’s lap is absolutely critical.
Operational ease
Parenting a toddler already involves carrying a lot of gear — so if our solution isn’t easy to use and compact, it simply won’t be relevant.
Appropriate appearance
It’s easy to forget that a product can function perfectly, yet still be rejected if it doesn’t fit the way users choose to present themselves. For our solution to truly work, it had to match the user's style and feel comfortable to be seen with in public.
Product Users
Rolling parent
Primary Operator
Professional
Passive user
3rd Person
Supporting user
(only if needed)
This user assists
when the primary user cannot fully operate the product, with min involvement.
User Scenario
Lifting the toddler
Securing the toddler
Stopping and Releasing toddler
Detaching from wheelchair
.png){kind=small}
.png){kind=small}
.png){kind=small}
Attaching to wheelchair
Seating the toddler
Riding together
Placing the toddler down
Folding and storing
Product Requirements
After identifying the value propositions and key aspects of the product, we moved on to crafting a set of product requirements. This document outlines the product’s core requirements in a clear and measurable way, helping us define the boundaries and direction for the next stages of development.
.png){kind=small}
Secure seating for toddlers on the parent’s lap
.png){kind=small}
Protection against impact during collisions
.png){kind=small}
Access to essential wheelchair functions
Comfortable posture for parent and toddler
Allows toddler slight movement, not fully enclosed
.png){kind=small}
Secure and convenient attachment to wheelchair
Sense of safety for both parent and child
Modern, aesthetic design aligned with baby gear
Easy to carry and store
Easy to clean
Long-term durability
After establishing the precise product requirements, we explored several product concepts and selected the most suitable and viable one for implementation.
Initial Concept Directions
Option 1
Padded safety harness connected to the wheelchair
Option 2
Toddler harness connected to the wheelchair
Option 3
Harness for physical parent–toddler connection
03. Prototypes & User tests
In this case, we evaluated the different concepts through hands-on prototypes tested directly by the user. Each iteration was shaped by the user's feedback, helping us refine the direction and make informed design decisions based on real needs and reactions.
After identifying the most suitable concept, we developed a series of prototypes - each one helping us learn and refine the product step by step. With every iteration, we discovered adjustments that brought us closer to an ideal solution.
Here are the key features we focused on throughout the process:
Buckles
Once we chose the safety harness concept, a key challenge was finding where to attach it on the wheelchair. We decided to connect it to two structural bars ,one behind the backrest and one under the seat. At first, we considered designing a custom connector, but eventually realized we could repurpose a solution from a different domain: garden hose clamps. After reviewing several options, we selected one that was both strong and easy to use.
Shape and Fit
The harness cut went through multiple iterations before reaching the ideal version.
Throughout the process, we tested different fabrics, padding materials, and cut patterns to best fit the toddler’s body structure.
User-friendly and functional
To make the product durable, easy to use in messy situations, and compact enough for everyday use, we designed it to fit into small wheelchair-mounted bags.The padding can be easily removed for washing, and we included a small pocket and attachment points for storing essentials like a pacifier, diaper, or toy - keeping them within easy reach
-
Requires the user to lean forward in the wheelchair.
-
Creates a limited and uncomfortable feeling for the parent
-
Insufficient support for the toddler’s posture
-
Significantly restricts the toddler’s movement.
-
Does not provide a full sense of safety and stability
-
Time-efficient - no need for complex harness handling
-
Allows positioning in an ideal operating zone
-
Provides control over tightening and releasing options
This was our
winning concept!
04. Final Product Concept
All of the hard work led to this thoughtful and human-centered product - built with care, shaped by real needs, and designed to support meaningful everyday moments between parent and child.
Did you know? This product is a TOM GLOBAL competition winner.
To make the product accessible to anyone who wants to benefit from it, we created a detailed guide that includes a list of materials and clear instructions - so anyone can make it themselves.
05. What I learned
-
When working with potential users, it’s important to remember they don’t always know how to imagine the ideal product for themselves. A quick prototype can help illustrate the concept and build real connection.
-
A solution that seems “perfect” on paper is often the worst in practice — simply because it’s too complex. It’s always worth carefully examining what already exists before rushing to reinvent the wheel.
-
Never underestimate your users. As professionals, we may have the tools, but users often provide the most valuable feedback - even if they don’t express it in technical terms.
Thanks for reviewing this project!
Check out more projects before you go
