Sensory Social Case Study

UX

RESEARCH & PROGRAM DESIGN

How might we leverage game design to assist people with sensory disturbances to better integrate into mainstream society?

A BEHAVIOR SCIENCE STUDY

A social inclusion project that focuses on sensory processing disturbances and ways Design Management methods might streamline mainstream acceptance through better understanding of social environments.

THE CHALLENGES

According to The CDC and NIMH

The number of young adults in America who face difficulty integrating into mainstream society has an increasing prevalence by %15 to 1 in 59, due to hyper disruptive sensory and perception responses associated with sensory processing disorders such as autism, ADHD, and anxiety.
7.1% of U.S. adults have social anxiety.
Past year prevalence of social anxiety among adults was higher for females 8% than for males 6.1%.

THE OUTCOME

A user-friendly method of digitally communicating new social experiences through sensory design that works to increase mainstream social integration.

Experiential and sensory aware design is at the center of user experience UX research and consideration of social inclusive environments. Design managers can use new UX protocols to build impactful sensory aware communication processes that benefit families, customers and businesses alike. The adoption of theses methods will aid designers working as event managers, advertisement agencies, product merchandisers, and platform architects.

The World At Large
As communication between caregivers and people with sensory disturbances improves, positive social experience will increase, allowing for innovative advancements in their social development. Sensory social integration standards and regulations could evolve into a new normal, resulting in ADA policy improvements.

SECONDARY RESEARCH

SCOPE OF UX RESEARCH

Location: Orlando & Tampa Florida, Washington D.C., phone and video interviews with program managers, parents, and caregivers.

Context: Primary research was conducted by digital and in-person surveys, long format interviews, and observation. Collectively this research focused on understanding various pain points, ways of coping, methods of communicating and public interaction with other sensory groups. I have identified the gaps in communication and missing content while analyzing the most effective whys to give and receive information.

Coffee Talks
Interviews
Surveys
Open ended discussions
Fly on the wall observation

PERSONAS & EMPATHY MAPS

JOURNEY MAP FLOW CHART

DEV MODE

Usability Study

Each venue uploads a video walkthrough map to preview and explore to gain familiarity. Some venues incorporated VR games for discovery and connection.

Business Structure

The founders are leveraging a working relationship with our application and venue designers, along with advocacy groups and associations.

In situ Prototype Testing

The zoo in Florida hosted our product testing which allowed for rapid iteration and adjustments based on direct on site testing and observation.

WIREFRAMES

Low fidelity wireframes ensure the developers and client get a clear understanding of the functionalists, features, and design that the software needs to support.

Figma software is used to develop clean wireframe diagrams in preparation for designing the user interface (UI) graphics.

WORKING PROTOTYPE

The Sensory user group has options to measure sensitivities and self-train to build responses instead of reaction to triggers. Game design is used to calm the user and to offer a walk through experience to familiarize with event locations such as the Zoo or hotels.

The Caregiver user group can sync access to the sensory training statistics and event experiences. They can input new events and streamline caregiver tasks such as meal tracking, ordering gut health tests, and making appointments with the occupational therapist.

BUSINESS MODEL CANVAS + SWOT

MEASURES OF PERFORMANCE & SUCCESS

With an understanding of new environments before attending events, sensory meltdowns, that are triggered by surprising or new actions, can be mitigated. Training people with sensory disturbances about the new environment will enable their reactions to turn into learned behavior response.

New built environments can follow a set of design protocols that will either warn caregivers of a possible trigger (sound, lights, strange corridors, etc.) or build sensory aware quiet places and interactive sensory stations for a pause and regroup. Existing environments can retrofit sensory calming spaces and stations, or create an awareness map of possible trigger and red flags.