Summary
For my senior thesis I designed a service that connects people with disabilities with makers. The main goals of this service are to promote collaborative design in assistive tech as well as create affordable yet reliable personalized assistive devices.
Project
Collaborative Assistive Tech Service / Industrial + Interaction Design Thesis
Role
User Interface/ User Experience/ User Research
The Assistive Technology Industry
Products are mass produced with a one size fits all design. Assistive technology products are what people use to complete instrumental activities of daily living and their individual needs vary.
Assistive devices are often disproportionately expensive because in some cases they can be covered by insurance.
The involvement of insurance companies requires appointments and long wait times. Any sort of modification can also add to this wait time tremendously.
Field Research
Conducted over the course of a year this research was the basis for every aspect of the Collaborative Collective service.
Primary Research
Interviews with industry professionals and people with disabilities.
Surveys through Syracuse University and Linkedin networks.
This step highlighted problems within the Assistive Technology industry.
Secondary Research
Interviews and consenting observation through the ARISE Adaptive Design Community.
Interviews with managing members, volunteer makers, and people with disabilities seeking alternative assistive solutions.
This step provided details in the process of creating personalized AT solutions from introduction to final product and after market adjustments to different products.
Tertiary Research
Design Prompts created with people with disabilities and conducted with Syracuse University design program professors and students.
Reviewing results with volunteer makers and disability professionals.
This step provided further insight into the depth of involvement required from both the user and maker in order to develop effective collaborative strategy without sacrificing convenience.
Key Opportunity
The emergence of independent makers, advancement of 3D printing resources, and availability of publicly sourced designs has created an opportunity for people with disabilities to take control of the assistive technology industry.
Workflow
This workflow was refined through peer and user review with a focus on intuitive navigation and accessibility. This process revealed unnecessary features and components that could be revised or removed to keep the service simple and accessible.
Wireframes
The low fidelity click through prototype of Collaborative Collective was an effective way to field test the navigation of the app during the peak of the pandemic.
Collaborative Collective
Mobile App
The Collaborative Collective Mobile App provides a resource connecting people with disabilities with makers around the world or in their own community.
Create a profile where you can interact with a worldwide Assistive Technology community
Maker Search
The maker search allows users to review makers and contact them to discuss original ideas or request specific products.
Product Library
The Product Library allows users to browse existing products, read reviews, and send requests to local makers.
Collaborate
Schedule meetings and calls to work collaboratively on projects.