Research

I had the task of identifying the needs of a profoundly deaf user, and doing quantitative research to understand the user and their needs. Identifying a need and providing a solution in the form of an app, accompanied by wearable technology. By applying accessibility guidelines to the designs I am able to create a user-friendly app that is fully usable for my profoundly deaf user, Shalem Oman.

Problem

Many people suffer from hearing disabilities, which inhibits their ability to use content to its full potential unless their needs are taken into consideration, these struggles include:

- Language Barrier
- No surrounding sound awareness
- Online content limitations
- Unable to drive

Solution

Creating a safe space with the help of technology works as ears for the user. Implementing cameras and microphones in each room and connecting them to the App to allow surveillance of surrounding environments.

- Alerting users of surrounding events
- Converting sound into visuals and text
- Extending awareness with wearable tech

Design Question

How might we enable deaf user to be aware of their surroundings with the help of assisstive technologies

Empathy

By doing research on the daily routine of hearing dissabled people I am able to sympathise with their daily struggles, the adaptation they have to make to complete normal tasks, and what type of technologies are used to accomplish them. Lastly exploring possible tools that could help the hearing disabled

Assessability Research

To understand what is required regarding design for assessability, I had to familiarise myself with the Web Content Assessability Guidelines (WCAG). By following the principles and guidelines for mobile, educational content, and the do’s and don't, I am able to understand my responsibility as a designer and abide by the laws

Key assessability guidelines that I will follow in my designs:

Color: Never rely on color alone, use sizing, lines, text, and icons to indicate changes

Contrast: The minimum contrast ratio for content is 4.5:1. For Bigger elements above 18pt, ratio should be minimum 3:1.

Audio & Video: Audio needs closed captions or subtitles. Transcripts are used to describe sound and visuals.

User Input: The dictation option allows speaking over typing. Selecting feedback method should be available (call/text)

Simplicity: Use repeated interactions to create familiarity. A uniform color scheme creates a well-rounded experience

Haptics: Use haptic feedback to indicate actions (Alerts). Urgency indicated by repeating haptic vibrations (Ringtone)

Persona

Ideation

Sketches

By putting my ideas on paper I enable my creative juices to flow without the worry of exerting too much energy. This allows for the exploration of the app and how it would work, acting as the base to build my designs on

User Journey

To create a seamless user experience I mapped a user journey throughout the use of the application, for this journey the user needs to react to an alert concerning a noise coming from the kitchen

Wire Flow

To further my design process I created wireframes to illustrate the layout and functionality of the app. To explain the flow of the app the wireframes are put in a wire-flow for an easily understandable process, allowing me to indicate the effectiveness of the navigation, features, and functions built in.

Prototype

Final Designs

Completed the app and smartwatch designs to have a simplistic style that follows the WCAG's, AA accessibility standards. Users are able to observe their surrounding environment through sound and video, receiving alerts from unexpected sounds or movements which can then be reported to authorities or trusted contacts.