Thriving Through Change @ CGH
What Is This Opportunity About?
Synopsis
At (these)abilities, PwDs are able to innovate and collaborate with others in order to come up with solutions for their everyday struggles. (these)abilities believe in levelling up the playing field for PwDs at home, work and play through creation of products that are meant for all to use. The social enterprise provides the experts and opportunities for PwDs and interested individuals/corporations to create the product together. They believe in creating WITH the PwDs and not FOR the PwDs. Besides that, (these)abilities provide the opportunity for training of PwDs in design thinking, product creation (i.e. through using the different machineries and technology) and engineering. Training provided may open up new employment opportunities for the PwDs.
Analysis of Opportunity
Participatory values that the opportunity promotes
- Choice & Control
- the PwDs are given the autonomy to come up with solutions for their everyday struggles together with other individuals
- Meaningful Engagement & Being a Part of
- instead of letting others create the product for them, the PwDs are able to take ownership over the project through design thinking and collaborative making
- Social Inclusion
- the whole process not only include the PwDs but also other members of the community as well, PwDs are able to work collaboratively with their caregivers and other members of community
- Access and Opportunities
- Typically, PwDs may not be actively involved in the design process of products and apps that are mass market (e.g. Grab App design). (these)Abilities breaks down such access issues by acting as a bridge between corporates, PwDs and volunteers to create new opportunities for advocacy, sharing of lived experiences, and to consider the unique abilities and skills that PwDs can offer, thereby creating new market opportunities for them
- Having an impact
- (these)Abilities have been involved in common problems that tend to involve more established companies and institutions such as public transport agencies, private hire/ride-sharing companies, and also real estate consultancies. Their involvement of PwDs often mean that the ideas, solutioning, and feedback go beyond individual discourses to collective advocacy within the public realm, thereby allowing greater visibility of not just needs, but also active contributions that PwDs can offer to the table for public or public-interest organizations as designing for disability demonstrates its appeal for user-centricity across the life span.
Facilitators To Participation
- Experienced facilitators who are inclusive in their group membership
- Supportive caregivers
- Ability to travel to locations where sessions are conducted
- Event calendar that allows for tracking of upcoming events
- Social media presence that highlights disability related events within Singapore and the region, particularly in the field of inclusive design and use of AT to facilitate participation
Barriers to Participation
- Sessions appear to be adhoc and there is limited exposure to (these)abilities within bigger health and social care space
- Time-consuming for PwDs to be involved in all sessions, particularly if caregivers also need to accompany PwDs
- Location-specific events can hinder participation for those who have difficulties travelling or coordinating for travels
Future Plans to Promote Participation
- Conceptualising and prototyping can be done online or through video platforms
- Collaboration with SAOT for greater exposure of (these)abilities to allied health practitioners in Singapore to encourage participation for clients
- Collaboration with befriending services (e.g. Lions Befrienders) to assist PwDs who need accompaniment
- Provide easy “hacking” or “personalization” kits and video “how-tos” that can appeal to different consumer groups for common ATs, so as to create multiple avenues of engagement (e.g. “hack” your walking stick, “hack” your geriatric chair, “hack” your gaming console) that relates to common occupations pursued by PwDs across the lifespan
For More Information
Acknoledgements
References/ Credits:
- http://www.theseabilities.com/about-us/
