OUGD603 - Hidden Figures - Analysing the Brief

Myself and Dani have decided to work together on a competition brief, RSA Student Design awards.

The brief we have chosen is 'Hidden Figures'.


Brief 
Design a way to break down the physical, organisational or attitudinal barriers that people with hidden disabilities or impairments can face in society, to enable them to live their lives to the full.


Background 
– There is growing awareness of the less visible forms of disability – including mental health conditions, autism, learning disabilities, early onset dementia, and chronic pain conditions. These are classified as ‘hidden disabilities and impairments’. 

– Disabled people can face barriers in everyday life that prevent them from participating fully in society. Private dwellings and specific environments can often be customised to meet the particular needs of disabled people, but there is still a lot to do when it comes to making all public spaces and all services truly inclusive.

– The social model of disability is a widely accepted theory that states that disabled people are not disabled by their impairment or condition, but by the barriers they face in society. 

– Using the social model means focusing on solutions to the barriers: physical (inaccessibility of buildings, services and information), organisational (inflexible policies and practices) and attitudinal (stereotyping, discrimination and prejudice).

 – Current UK equality law takes a social model approach, with policy development needing to understand the barriers disabled people face and take account of their views on overcoming them. Disabled people should be involved in defining the barrier; and designing the solution


How should you approach this brief? 
– Focus on addressing physical, organisational and/or attitudinal barriers that people with hidden disabilities or impairments experience outside of the private domain. How might we adapt spaces, assets and services to meet their needs? How might we change attitudes to ensure that people with hidden disabilities are fully included in society and can live the lives they want to? 

–Any space that allows lots of people from all walks of life to come together is worthy of inclusion. For example, this includes transport hubs, museums, leisure centres, national heritage sites, supermarkets, shopping centres and stadiums. Services include health, education or employment support, but also broadcasting, media or e-commerce. 

– You can focus on the barriers facing people with hidden disabilities anywhere in the world, but make sure you challenge your assumptions and explore the real user needs of your target audience through rigorous research. 

– If possible, engage with people who have lived experience of a hidden disability – what are their needs? What might allow them to have the same experience as people who are not disabled? Try to involve potential users in your development process, and get feedback on your solution from them if you can. 

– We are looking for solutions that have the potential to scale. You may choose to focus on an enabling solution for people with a particular hidden disability, or you could apply the principles of inclusive design to develop a solution that is not targeted solely at people with one condition, but instead is more usable, accessible or empowering for everyone. 

– Technology is a key enabler. We live in an age where tracking and sensing can be easily deployed and interfaces and displays can cost pennies. Consider using existing, emerging and cost effective technologies to empower and fulfil. What are the emotional benefits? How can technology help break down societal barriers so that people are fully included and can live independently?

 – Solutions can be physical, digital, communication or service focused, or a combination of any suited to addressing the specific barrier/s you decide to tackle. For the purposes of illustration only, viable responses could include: – A reconsideration of public spaces and environments to improve social inclusivity. – A product or service that breaks down barriers.

 – A behaviour change intervention that facilitates inclusion.

 – An innovative personal device that facilitates greater inclusion and personal independence through its interface with public spaces.



We wanted to focus on autism for our 'hidden disability', as Dani herself has been diagnosed with this herself. Working with somebody who has first hand experience of this disability themselves will help push the project forward, and make it fully informed.

We plan to do some in-depth research into autism to inform our design process.