1st State : Interview with Need Knowers

About the Need Knower

Name : Aanya Fernando
Age : 5 years
Background : Diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy and Cortical Visual Impairment since birth. Have communication frustration along with limited mobility. Relies mainly on parents for almost everything in daily life. Very helpful family.

Speciality

Interests : Loves story books, enjoys engaging, favourite color is yellow, interested in sudden moving things.
Strengths : Banging, recognition, knows how to show excitement by raising hands, knows how to show dislike by pushing things away, communicate through facial and bodily expressions.

Physical Characteristics

Physical : Stiff body, minimal verbal communication, hearing is very good, whole body needs support when walking, involuntary hand movements, excellent biological clock, difficulty in touching, pointing and grabbing.

Mental Characteristics

Mental : Gross (walking) and fine ( eg: grabbing) motor coordination problems, Good memory and understanding, good recognition, inertia towards changing routines.

Key Persons Involved

Mother and Father

Desired Need

Being able to say "yes" and "no" on her own. A simple communication system to communicate basic needs in a way she likes.

Need Knower Anthropometric Data

Current Communication Situation

Have been practicing with AVAZ app for about an year. Has a little improvement. But a bit complex.

2nd state : Problem Identification

Framing the Design Challenge

"How might we uplift the quality of life of Aanya by enabling better communication and independance?"

3rd State : Ideation

A brainstorming session was conducted followed by mind mapping, affinity mapping and empathy mapping to cluster the information gathered.

Banging was chosen as one of her main strength that could be used for effective communication.

Idea 1

Idea 2

Idea 3

4th State : Concept development & Refinement

After going through several ideations and identifying possibilities and limitations, the concept was narrowed down.

Targeted Activity

What : A device to choose between her meal options and communicate it effectively

How to Accomplish

A simple rotating device mounted on a stepper motor with 3 compartments containing 3 feeding choices. The device rotates upon banging on a buzzer displaying 1 choice at a time through partially visible device . Another buzzer when banged opens the compartment and makes it accessible.

When & Where

When : During feeding time

Where : Feeding chair/ Table

Precedent Studies

Precedent studies were conducted to research on similar push mechanism and rotating devices used by kids