Prototype of VIP World Website
V
I
P
isually
WORLD
mpaired
eople
VIP World is a service for you to enhance the digital platform of your company, web or mobile, to meet the requirements of visually impaired people by co-designing with the VIP World Community based in the UK.
Prototypes of Co-design Sessions
UAL Website Inclusivity Testing
Video Recordings
Desktop Website Testing performed by Michael, Sozi and Sebastian
Mobile Website Testing performed by Kazeem
Digital catapult space accessibility testing
Video Recordings
Testing the staircase area
Checking safety measures and danger points
Testing desk area and day to day essential space movements
NHS Health center for space accessibility
NHS Southwark Clinical Commissioning Group wanted to test the site accessibility for a healthcentre. The United Reformed Church, East Dulwich Grove, SE22 8RH is going to be renovated as a new health center in the area. The NHS researchers were organised a workshop on 8th November at the church to empathize with the needs of different demographics. The objective of the workshop was:
-
To look at the interior design including color schemes and finishes for floors and walls.
-
To make sure that the building is as accessible as possible for those with physical and sensory needs and those with dementia.
The United Reformed Church Entrance
Workshop with Participants
The workshop was well planned with a team of experienced researchers facilitating the process. The audience comprised of a diverse group of professionals and service users. (30- 40 people) Most of them being senior citizens. The organizer did not consent to click photographs and will not be sharing any pictures because part of the group did not want to be clicked.
The presenter demonstrated the floor plan, location of the different departments and the various services that are going to be in the facility. The design of the space was based on a separate color code for each department in the health center. So, 6 departments will have 6 different colors. The participation from the audience was great as the queries and questions ranged from all perspectives.
Learnings from the Workshop
1. The workshop organizers do not have an understanding of the interpretation ability of the visually impaired.
2. The organizers had designed the prototype space model without analyzing and understanding the needs of the users. The good part was that in the workshop, they were testing their design. The audience was vocal on giving feedback on all of the aspects.
3. The organizers did not brainstorm or plan for the visually impaired. The response from the presenter lacked thought. It was important for me as a Service Designer to sensitive and promote the interests of the visually impaired people I was representing. But, it has to be done in a gentle way.
Please Click on the button to open the recommendation letter from the Blind Aid Charity
Profiles of VIP
Michael Johnsson
Age - 56 years
Gender - Male
Originally from Jamaica
Worked as a Caterer for 15 years
Fit and popularly known as the Muscleman among his friends
Area Living Currently - Vauxhall
Area Comfortable to Travel for Work - Anywhere in London, Easily uses public transport, including the bus service, tube network and overground
​
Medical Condition of the Eye - Diabetes made the eyesight very weak.
In 2014, I started losing my eyesight. I went through diabetes classes.
During an incident in 2014, I lost one eye because of an accident. Was wearing a contact lens and the accident damaged the eye. Many operations took place and I gained a little vision. I cannot take the focussed light on me at all. So, wear sunglasses everywhere I go.
Skills -
Technical: NVDA (6/10), JAWS (5/10)
Life: Practising Gym Trainer (6/10)
Communication Skills: English Speaker, Outgoing
To schedule a testing session with Michael, please click on the button
Patrick Braichwchet
Age - 51 years
Gender - Male
Originally from the Caribbean
Hard working and composed
Area Living Currently - New Cross
Area Comfortable to Travel for Work - 5 miles radius to New Cross in London. Needs to be arranged a cab service to travel independently.
Medical Condition of the Eye - He lost his eyesight because of Glaucoma in 2010
So, he can recognize things with the memory of shapes in my mind.
He keeps himself engaged from Monday to Friday. He also participates in Jenesis radio station from time to time. In other days, he goes to Seniors Lodge in Stanstead Road to play drums.
Skills -
Technical: NVDA (8/10), JAWS (7/10)
Life: Befriending Volunteer
Communication Skills: English Speaker, Confident Orator
To schedule a testing session with Patrick, please click on the button
Pitch in London
UAL Pitch It competition, held in CSM, Nov 2018
Digital Catapult Pitch Jan 2019
London Design fringe festival Pitch October 2018
