redesigning the provision of electronic communication aids to people with disabilities

Challenge

People with communication limitations have speech-, language- and voice problems. There are a lot of different causes of adults older than 50 obtaining these kind of disabilities. Communication aids are intelligent products, that support the user in the communication or even substitute it completely. These aids are not easy to learn and ask a lot of insight of the user. As a result of this, and because of the lack of support, there is a large percentage of non-use for this kind of aids, thus my focus on re-use. This project was initiated by the VAPH (Flemish agency for people with disability) and the Ministry of Health and Wellfare of the Flemish Government. End goal, redesign of an integrated service, including an accesible digital platform.

Approach

In the first part there was a large amount of research done by two students (Vanessa Marschik and myself), to get a better understanding of communication limitations and its consequences for all the stakeholders. She focussed on children and I on adults. To immerse ourselfs in the topic, we held a couple of co-creation sessions or workshops besides the in-depth interviews we held using our own tools. By using a Delphi method I started on an interface for the advising experts on communication aids. Through an online survey I evaluated three scenario’s. I then used an modular abstract prototype for the user platform before creating a prototype in Axure. These prototypes were perfected after a usability test with the target groups.

Result

“Voxi” is an integrated solution for the advice and supply of electronic communication aids to adults older than 50 with obtained communication limitations. Voxi offers an integral solution for the end-user, so not just aids. The producers deliver their products to voxi and obtain valuable feedback on their products from the users. By letting the users evaluate the products during use and give their feedback to the producers, the development of a new generation of products is stimulated. An added value is the continuous support of the end-users. This support starts by establishing the participation problem (ex: not being able to communicate with others). The user is then supported when choosing the right aid, learning how to use it and select the right solution. Through continuous monitoring, information is gathered, this ensures an optimal support. The voxi-service exists out of four parts, three of them where developed in this dissertation. A service, an extensive digital platform and a smartplug. That smartplug is mounted on the fourth part  -the communication aid itself. The concept of that has been developed to be applicable to all sorts of communication aids (so it can be used independently from the producers engagement).

voxi center

In Flanders there are a few voxi centers. In these centers users can receive personal support. The aids can be tested extensively, before the user chooses one. The advisory team can conduct house-calls if needed, for clients with mobility limitations.  In this center “offline community” event take place, through the voxi-events. Like this external experts (such as ergo- and speech therapists) receive valuable information about everything that concerns the communication aids.

voxi platform

The digital platform is different for every stakeholder. The user-platform is designed in a way that it is suited for elderly people and people with communication problems. The most important value of this platform is the sharing of information, through an elaborated user profile. The content of the platform adapts to the current stage of the customer journey of the user, growing along with the user. The online community allows them to get in contact with each other.

voxi smartplug

The smartplug sends an SMS message after every charging cycle. These signals are processed automatically in the voxi-system. If there hasn’t been any signal sent for over two weeks, non-use is registered in the voxi-center. This small add-on allows the real use to be monitored, without violating the privacy of the user. The smartplug is simply mounted on the charger of the appliance itself. The special design of the plug allows it to be placed on all  different types of chargers.

let's have ☕️

yalenka.marien@gmail.com

+32 484 94 58 75

© 2017 Yalenka Marien - All rights reserved