I had to illustrate, through graphics and a written essay, my thesis statement and purpose of research.
I decided to design three eye charts with a different message on each one.
The first one on the left is how a person with Cataract Disease would see. It reads: "Independence and freedom, along with safety, are what blind & visually impaired want in order to live a life without limitations because of their disability. What if it was you with this disability. What would you ask designers to do to make your life better?"
The middle chart is how a person with Diabetic Retinopathy would see. It reads: "Engage all possible senses to increase a multi sensory experience for everyone. Make a difference in the world for the blind & visually impaired today through design. How are you going to help spread social awareness today on blindness and visual impairment?"
The last chart is how someone with Glaucoma would see. It reads: "Architecture beyond vision to create equality between blind & visually impaired. The blind & visually impaired can still imagine what a space looks like with other senses. Will you do anything to help spread social awareness today on blind and visual impairment?
It is very difficult to see the smaller words, or even see any of the letters with these eye diseases. It is easy for sighted individuals to forget because they don't see life through that perspective.
Under the charts, there is a collage of key words related to my research. Some of the words are: hear, smell, tough, safety, wayfinding, memory, multi-sensory, etc.
There is also a tactile floor plan on the table. The purpose of this is for people to close their eyes and try to memorize the plan and try to draw it from memory. This is exactly what a blind person has to do- memorize the plan through their other senses and navigate through what the can remember. There is also a materials palette for people to touch with their eyes closed and try to make out what each material is.
Another element in my presentation was an audio clip of a hotel lobby in Las Vegas. The purpose of this was for people to listen to it and try to figure out where they would be. If you listened very carefully, you would be able to tell where you were. There was a sound a slot machine in the distance, and there was an elevator noise. Even though there were these clues, out of 18 people, no one was able to figure it out. This goes to show how difficult it must be to try to navigate as a blind individual.
"Open your eyes. Open your minds. Engage your senses."
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