Designing Health Apps Together: Lessons from a Swedish Co‑Design Team

People with intellectual disabilities often face a high number of health problems that could be avoided. Low levels of physical activity and unhealthy eating patterns are frequent contributors. Digital health solutions hold great promise for improving outcomes, but many existing tools remain difficult for this population to navigate. A group of researchers decided to explore a different approach that puts users at the center of the design.

The researchers organized a series of 17 collaborative workshops to gather ideas and prototypes. After the workshops, they scheduled five reflective meetings to capture the team’s experiences. Eight carefully selected individuals took part, representing a mix of expertise. Four were academic researchers, two were user‑experience designers, one was a support worker, and one was a co‑researcher who lives with an intellectual disability. During these sessions, participants shared successes, challenges, and suggestions for improvement.

Several important insights emerged from the discussions. Clear, plain language and uncluttered visual layouts were repeatedly highlighted as essential. The co‑researcher’s perspective helped the team identify barriers that might otherwise be missed. Flexible pacing and intuitive icons were praised for keeping participants engaged. The group also cautioned that tight deadlines and jargon can alienate users and undermine the whole effort.

The overall lesson is that inclusive collaboration can produce digital health tools that are truly accessible. Future initiatives should build in early testing phases, use straightforward instructions, and ensure that people with intellectual disabilities have a genuine voice in the design process. By doing so, developers may help close the health gap for this underserved group. The study provides concrete recommendations for anyone aiming to create similar interventions.