The Influence of Innovative Product Design and Brand Personality on Purchase Intent - Valuing Persons with Special Needs

There are many individuals with developmental disabilities who have the capacity to make everyday purchases and frequent particular brands. Out of the 54 million of Americans that have either a physical or intellectual disability in the United States (ADA National Network, 2019), there are as many as 200 million people worldwide who have an intellectual disability; and there is minimal data that exists on their purchasing preferences and buying habits (“Quantifying The Market,” 2015).

This study empirically investigates the innovative product design and brand personality preferences of professional staff and persons supported on purchase intent within the ACLD community. Adults and Children with Learning and Developmental Disabilities (ACLD) is a Long Island not-for-profit agency that serves the needs of over 3,000 individuals with developmental disabilities (a.k.a. persons supported).

Improving the marketing value of this underserved population (Burnett & Paul, 1996, “Quantifying The Market,” 2015) can positively impact future purchasing decisions of persons supported, which would allow this equitable population to lead more enviable lives while advancing theoretical research.