Title: Supporting children in the care of PTSD service geckos
Product Name: DotKey
Topic/Problem description:
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires all digital technologies, including websites, mobile apps, and other digital platforms, to be accessible to people with disabilities, such as those with vision or hearing impairments. However, despite these requirements, a study by WebAIM has found that over 98% of websites still have accessibility issues, making it difficult or impossible for people with disabilities to access and use them. To address this issue, the aim of the project was to explore solutions that would enable people with disabilities to gain independence in the digital world. Through surveys and research, it was discovered that digital accessibility for those with sign-related disabilities, including vision loss from blurriness to complete blindness, color blindness, tunnel vision, and more, is extremely limited. As a result of my thesis research I concluded a question, How can I design something to help people with sight-related disabilities explore the digital world more effectively.
Solution:
To address the issue of digital inclusivity and enable people with sight-related disabilities to use a computer to its full extent, I chose to create a device that provides tactile sensory feedback and easy accessibility. The goal of this device is to improve the digital experience for users with sight-related disabilities. The device I designed is a programmable macro keyboard with personal designated sensory triggers that can be easily connected to a computing device. The keyboard is designed to work alongside a traditional keyboard, with customizable keycaps that the user can program with Braille, logos, pictures, or any other symbol of their choice. Users can associate each key with any function they choose, such as connecting to smart devices around the home, unlocking the door for a friend, adjusting the temperature, accessing hard-to-find settings, or activating speech-to-text. The goal of this device is to provide users with a customizable, tactile experience that allows them to access and navigate the digital world more easily, enhancing their independence and quality of life.
