Education for the differently abled

SuperhumansDesigning for the differently abled

thank youAdapt(formerly known as spastics society of India) for all the resources.

Asha Kumar (Director, Adapt Bandra) for so much support and undying faith in me.

Alannah D souza for being the guide that everyone deserves. It truly wouldn’t have been possible with-out you.

Tejashree and all the special educators at Adapt for answering the endless questions so patiently despite their super busy schedules.

Vikram and Rafiq for giving me a kick start into the technicalities.

My advisors- Binu, Smriti, Ramesh and Ajai for boost-ing my confidence whenever I needed it the most. And of course the constructive feedback that made this project possible.

My students- Abuzaar, Atharv, Aryan, Hast, Sarthak, Ridhi, Palak, Maitri and Deval for li�ing up my days, inspiring me and being oh-so-enthusiastic about every small tool or game I made.

Moral support- Akshitta Kohli, Shreya Kumar and Ekta Paraswani for the bottomless love and ca�eine.

Lastly, my beautiful family for understanding me, suporting me thorougly and loving me for everything I do. You give me the strength to go on.

Hi! This book is about a project that I'm currently working on. This project is based in a learning and development centre for children with disability called Adapt(Formerly Known As Spastic Society Of India). The area of Assistive Technology for the disabled has progressed substantially in various parts of the world. But unfortunately, India is not one of those. There is a huge void that cant be filled by importing expensive aids because of the simple reason that its not a�ordable and accessible to most. At the Computer Aided Learning Lab in Adapt, children are trained to use a set of assistive devices to access the computer. This lab was setup about an year ago.

Now that the children have been well acquainted with the computers and assistive devices, Adapt wants to take assistive technology to the classroom to help increase communication, participation and learning.

This is where I come in as a Product and Interface Designer and this is exactly my brief. I am a part time employee and a part time researcher at Adapt. This book is a record of my experience, findings and the process of deciphering this complex brief.

Foreword

CHHAVI JATWANI

CONTENTS

CHOSEN DIRECTION

Refining the single-minded propositionExploring platformsMaking relevant decisions & choices

IDEATION

Understanding specific user group(Special educators)Focused competitive & complementary researchExploring possibilities through wireframesFinalising contents

HARDWAREReadymade switches Low-cost interface

PROJECT PROPOSALClient brief & backgroundHypothesis

APPLICATION ScreensFlows

Primary ResearchGap indentificationPotential areas of workRESEARCH

SCOPEEcosystemWhat next

PROJECT PROPOSAL

Background and brief

Adapt (Able disabled all people together) was the first school for children with special needs in the country. It was founded by Dr. Alur forty years ago.

It is a learning and development centre for children with disabilities like cerebral palsy, autism, dyslexia etc.

Within a single classroom there is great variation in children’s abilities- motor, speech, cognitive etc.

Therefore there isn’t any one way to communicate and the teacher needs to modify and customize the exercise to suit individual needs. The communica-tion is mostly one-on-one and response time is long.

For eg. In an exercise when the teacher puts flash cards with words written on them in front of a kid and asks him/her to point at the word that is being called out, the rest of the kids are idle and lose interest while waiting for their turn. Less gets done in more time. The current method sometimes also proves to be uninteresting for the children.

Background and brief

Adapt has a Computer-Aided Learning Lab where the children are learning computer skills through some of the assistive devices you can see in the picture. The big red and green buttons are called adaptive switches. They have been mentioned a number of times in the following pages referred to as switches. These are alternative modes of input. For children who are unable to hold a mouse or press the keyboard keys, use these to input a value.

Most of the computer functions can be brought down to two simple tasks- Navigate and choose. One uses tab/space key to navigate and the enter key to chose the option.

The switches do the same job using an interface that converts the switch-press to the keyboard-press as tab/space and enter repectively.

Children are able to express what they learnt in class through interactive games.

Hypothesis

The level of participation in a classroom in Adapt is low due to a lack of exposure to and use of assistive technology.

Classroom participation and learning can be enhanced by creating/ providing multiple means (tools and methods) of communication and sources of motivation to the learners.”

“

Gap identification

Assistive technology is a set of tools and devices for people with disabilities. These devices aim to make them independent by enabling them to perform tasks that they were formerly unable to accomplish or faced di�iculty in accomplishing.

Commercial assistive technology products when implemented need to be chosen in consultation with a physiotherapist and a special educator to understand a child’s motor and cognitive abilities. One needs to identify a Reliable motor movement (these are the 2 movements that the child can make comfortably in order to press the switches) and work with a physiotherapist to see if there is a need of any adaptive aid. Simultaneously work with a special educator to know the academic and intellectual level of the child.

Gap identification

Problems that are faced with existing commercial AT products are that:

There are people with a variety of disabilities therefore assistance and training is required for them to use it. Not considering factors like the precise placement of the equipment can render it unusable.

It is hard to find manpower for special schools that can train the kids to use these tools.

These tools are commercial and non-specific. They cannot be used o� the shelf without supportive equipment.

These items are imported, therefore comes at a cost that is not a�ordable to most

So the fact remains that even a�er a lot being there in the market, it is not reaching its end audience.

Primary research

How much time and motivation do teachers at Adapt have to mae sure that the child is learning?If you make something for the teachers you have to make sure its simple and quick.

“In an inclusive school scenario, you can try to build tools for peer help. So that all the input is not

coming from the teacher.”

Sharmila Donde (H.O.D. Teacher training department at Adapt)

InterviewsI conducted interviews with relevant people. One of them was the head of the teacher training department. I got insights into the teacher psycology by this interaction. Following are relevant exerpts from the interview:

Tejashree(Special educator at adapt)

Primary research

What are the di�erent ways in which kids answer?Every child is di�erent. Some of them answer through Eye-gaze, some through gestures and pointing, flash cards, some have unclear speech but I can understand.

Do you think you would have the time and motivation to build small tools to augment classroom learn-ing?I think teachers around here are moti-vated. If you tell me how to do some-thing I will do it.

InterviewsI conducted various informal interviews with Tejashree. She was my constant source of feedback and information. Some relevant information I received is the following:

Primary research

MAKE-A-STORYThis is an experiment on the idea of having a metallic desk top and magnetic blocks for the kids to be able to grab and compile a story or a sentence or even to solve preblems, as a way of communication and expression. In this picture, there is a metal board and cut outs from magnet sheet with one side to be written over.

FEEDBACKThe blocks need to be raised (thick) for them to be able to grab them.

Also for ease of holding a square is not the ideal shape. Maybe something more jaggered like a puzzle piece.

Instead of writing or drawing with a marker on the blocks, its better to stick something over because while they are attempting to grab, the ink gets wiped o�.

More than the blocks sticking to the surface it is importand for them to stick to each other.

Research through designAn important part of my research was formed by making simple assistive tools.

Primary research

Printed communication board

Online communication board

Research through designThis one was of use in the computer lab. The things that one takes for granted can sometimes be a challenge in certain situations. In this particular case, I was teaching a girl to use the communication board on the computer using switches. Communication boards are used by children with unclear speech to express themselves. Children with visual perception problems find it di�icult to relate to a virtual communi-cation board.The idea of navigating between options and then picking one did not come easily to her. Therefore, as she pressed the switch I moved the paper highlighter to help her relate to the same phenomenon on the screen.This made her colate the two mediums as the same mode of expression.

They cant have secretsImagine having your life all out in the open

A lot of time gets wasted in the one-on-one teaching method 75% of the time is spent in waiting for your turn

Overcoming their inability to communicate is the biggest challenge for any designer or therapist

Is there any way to use this inability to their benefit?

Insights

End of research phaseAll the fly-on-the-wall observation sessions, the interviews, the feedback from research tools etc. culminated into three important insights. These insights address the emotional aspects, practical aspects and scope of a day-in-the-life-of-Adapt. I could choose or address all in my final design. I eventually chose one of them which one will identify as we go forward.

Potential areas of work

#1Game making applicationDesign an application for special educators that enables them to construct learning games easily. There is a low cost (XO)laptop designed for places where education is inaccessible. The machine has the potential to run these games and to be used by students within a classroom in adapt.


#2Tool kit for teachersOne the areas to work in is to develop a low tech teachers communication kit. Contents of this kit can be:- Communication tools- Eg. di�erent pointers to accomodate di�erent grips, eyegaze board etc. Story making tools - Eg. magnetic flashcards for the kids to be able to put together a story or sentences etc.Academic- Eg. Led boards to give anwers etc.


#3Table top deviceThis is again a mid tech device for each child on table. It will be more like the table top itself. Which is their space to express in the classroom. It will be limited to the conversations and communications of a classroom. So it will accomodate a metallic surface and magnetic picture cards, buzzer switches with sound feedback to answer in yes-no/truefalse, a screen for multiple choice questions to flash and buttons to choose a,b,c,d options etc.

CHOSEN DIRECTION

chosen direction

Game making applicationDesign an application for special educators that enables them to construct learning games easily. There is a low cost (XO)laptop designed for places where education is inaccessible. The machine has the potential to run these games and to be used by students within a classroom in adapt.

Single-minded propositionDesign a game building application for teachers and parents to enable them to construct simple games that re-inforce classroom learning in a fun and engaging manner for the teacher as well as the child.

What will it do?

chosen direction

VERY SIMPLEEasy to learn and use.

EXPERIENTIONALteachers & parents should want to use this application

FEEDBACKThere should be something to gain for the teacher/parent

GAME-BUILDING aplication that enables TEACHERS/PARENTS to contruct games to reinforce CLASSROOM LEARNING.

SUBJECT-WISEThe game could be built for any subject.

CREATIVE FREEDOMIt will have a set of elements and themes for the teacher/parent to go creative.

PLATFORMthat enables a teacher to have more control over the classroom communication

CUSTOMIZABLETool to build games depending upon the classroom needs

COMMUNICATION TOOLThis becomes an easy way to reinforce learning as well as judge wether the child is interested in the subject, is understanding the subject, etc.

TWO-FUNCTIONThe game can be played by tab-enter, space-enter, le� click-right click

Breaking down each element

ideal scenario

A teacher is eargely waiting to find free time so that she can work on these games

Finishes lecture and puts this game for the kids in the last 15 minutes of the period.

Kids play the same game on their computers using their own AT tools.

The teacher gets a fair idea of how much each kid understood and can work on individual needs.

Positioning the application in a real life context#2

#1

#4

#3

operating system consiDeration

DESIGN FOR IOS/WINDOWS DESIGN A BROWSER AP

Its a open-source platform, there-fore gives di�erent users flexibitily to modify the code

Is one of the most common platforms.

Does not allow much flexibility to make changes

The Sugar OS is di�icult to find among common public

Is not specific to operating systems. Only requires to be designed according to browser specifications

DESIGN ONLY FOR OLPC(SUGAR)

Flexibity depends on the way it is designed or coded

Specific to Sugar, cannot work on any other OS

Specific to Mac/windows, cannot work on any other OS

V/SV/S

Choosing the most e�icient and e�ective platformA platform that is easily available universally, does not have machine-based constraints and has a language that is understood by most while being easy to adapt. A�er analysing these factors on three di�erent platforms, the conclusion is that having an internet based browser application would most likely ensure the maximum use of this application.

Does not depend on the OS or the Machine. Works on all independently.

IDEATION

MApping

MATHS ENGLISH GEOGRAPHYREQUIREMENTS& CRITERIA

Spell the word- Phonetics

Puzzle- Join to reveal, Break to reveal

COLLABORATIVE GAMES

INDIVIDUAL GAMES

On-screen calculator2 function gameplay

2 function gameplay

Guess the word.

Match the word

World map puzzle-monuments, captials etc.

Auditory outputAuditory output2 function gameplay

Match the number

On-screen keyboard

Audio visual dictionory

Take a walk through the map

Match the place

Subject-wise requirement analysis I took the backwards approach. First figure out the kind of games that can be made on this application and then go into designing ‘how to build these games’ part. To give myself a start, I mapped out the requirements of the games subject-wise. I decided to do it only for three subjects to avoid getting lost.

inspiration

Looking aroundI spent time in the classroom observing various teaching tools and mapping the learning methods. I thought I could translate these teaching tools into simple game ideas whereby its easy for the teacher to make di�erent versions of each. Instead of making a whole di�erent tool everytime, tweak it for your needs and its ready. The following are a few examples that inspired me.

Ideation

10+2?6(10)?

6-2?

3(2+3)?

7 ?2

10+2?

6(10)?

6-2?

3(2+3)?

7 ?2

10+2?

6(10)?

6-2?

3(2+3)?

7 ?2

10+2?6(10)?

6-2?

3(2+3)?7 ?

2

10+2?

6(10)?

6-2?

3(2+3)?7 ?

2

Inititial wireframingThis is a wireframe of a solve-to-reveal game. Keep solving the sums to reveal an image or an animation. This is a multi player game. This game gave me the idea to keep a calculator as an accessory.

Ideation

Inititial wireframingThis one is a game called ‘How is it?’ that is played in the classroom. One kid gets a word and the others ask him to describe it. While he describes it using adjectives, others guess the word. I translated it into a digital game. I didnt take this forward because it involved too many steps to acheive the goal.

other construction aps

Defining the elements Once I got an idea of the kind of games that could be made, I started looking at other construction aps. Aps that allowed its users to create something. There were aps that let you contruct stories, communication boards, comic strips, animations, avatars etc. The key was to create the most intuitive flow. That is what made a construction ap a success or a failure.

Ideation

Defining the elements By this time I had identified the layers that make a game functional. These became elements of the ‘game-making’ part of the application. My plan was to reduce the steps to make a game to a minimum number. I tried di�erent permutations and combinations using the elements you can see in the pictures. A�er the designed had been minimalised to its basic functions, the next step was to design the look.

APPLICATION

Visual design

Font explorationsOnce the interface was worked out, I started exploring fonts for the logo as well as the name for the application. I fixed on to MAKE. PLAY. SHARE.

Block by Block

Build ‘n’ Play

Build-A-Game of fun (B.A.G. of fun)

Spun for funMake. Play. Share.

Make. Play. Share.

MAKE. PLAY. SHARE.

Visual design

Layout explorations

Visual design

Final design

1. Match monuments to states- By Tejashree 12:30 02-10-2013

2. This is a picture of?- By Sharmila 10:00 02-10-2013

EditPlay

EditPlay

Make learning fun by making fun learning games!

Home > Published games

Activities

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Qutub minar |

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Agra,U.P.Sanchi,M.P.

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2. Taj mahal

3. Sanchi stupa

4. Brihadeshwara temple

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MAKE. PLAY. SHARE. Hi Abuzar! My classroom

Delhi


Tamil nadu

Match Monuments To States

1. Qutub Minar

2. Taj mahal

3. Sanchi stupa


Answers:1. Qutub minar- Delhi2. Taj Mahal- Agra3. Sanchi Stupa- Sanchi, M.P.4. Brihadeshwara temple- Tamil Nadu

Bravo! you have 4 right answers.

Abuzaar

MAKE. PLAY. SHARE. Hi Tejashree! My classroom

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name/emailpassword

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teacher / parent / student

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NAmeemail

passwordDesignation

Organisation

[email protected]


Spastics society of india

Abc


I come from the parallel world

I can fix everything

I love nature I am a foodie I love mad science

I just wanna sleep

I will solve your problems

Im ancient I love to swim I believe i can fly

Choose your avatar

Done


Published games

1. Match monuments to states- By Tejashree 12:30 02-10-2013 2 switch game to learn about indian monuments

2. This is a picture of?- By Sharmila 10:00 02-10-2013 Name the object, fill in the blanks

EditPlay

EditPlay

HARDWARE

low cost interface

Keyboard hack interfaceThis interface is made by hacking a keyboard. It works almost similar to the hitch interface that costs a lot more than this hack. The plan is to develop a low cost circuit that can be used more commonly.

ready-made switches

Low- cost switchesThese switches/buttons are easily available in the market. They have been attached to male connectors so that they can be attached to our interface. These switches work exactly like the big switches and may prove to be much more functional and e�ecient too.

ready-made switches

Switch holdersI explored various positions to hold these switches with the kids, to design a set of universal straps. These are a few pictures of the exploration study.

ready-made switches

Head gear Children with major motor disabilities have minimal contron on their limbs, therefore I developed a headgear that can accomodate these switches. These children are seated in chairs that have head supports. Therefore these switches can be used by pressing against the head supports.

SCOPE

Ecosystem

One can buy a set of switches with a circuit/interface for minimum cost.

People can build games and share them here.

To discuss everything about the product and service.

Complete source file of the application and the interface circuit.

The folder of the application will be available to download for free on the website

DOWNLOAD AP BUY $ UPLOAD DISCUSSION SOURCE

Online platform with supportWhile exploring the scope of this application, there was a need to think about everything that would be required to make the use of this application possible. It was important to think from a sales and service design point of view as well. Therefore the following is a wireframe that suggests di�erent elements that need to be worked out in the design as well.

What next

ScalabilityThis design was made keeping in mind specific users and specific user situations. Therefore it was not designed for scalability. Now bearing scalability constraints in mind this layout needs to go through another iterative process which allows its use in non-specific scenarios as well.

PhoneticsAudio feedback is a neccessary part of an application for special needs. And it is also a project in itself that requires a great amount of research and development. That part will start now in consultation with speech and hearing experts.

AnimationThere is going to be animated feedback in the games. The animations need to be designed and executed in collaboration with an animator.

DevelopmentLastly, the application has to be developed in html5 by a team of/individual coder.

PilotOnce developmed it will go through a pilot for atleast a month. It will be used by the special educators at Adapt. And eventually important decisions like ‘Will it be specific to adapt?’ or ‘Is it going to be an open source application?’ will be made.

Documents

Education for the differently abled