designing for special needs slide share 11.13

Designing for Special NeedsJacob Esparza

June 6th, 2013

Wednesday, November 13, 13

Hi, I’m Jacob EsparzaCEO & Co-Founder, Making Friends Inc.

@jacobespa @MakingFriendsSF


Who Has Special Needs?

Individuals with physical or mental health conditions requiring services

Autism Spectrum Disorder

Cerebral Palsy

Speech & Language Impairments

ADD/ADHD

1:1 Behavioral Therapy

Medication & Tangibles

Speech Therapy & Adaptive Tools

Occupational Therapy


Autism

1:88 children born in US are diagnosedPrimary characteristic are behavioral deficits

90% have sensory issues

65% of free time is spent on digital devices

3.5 hours/day on digital entertainment

333,000 age 4-10


Special Needs UX Challenges

Motor Skills (coordination)

Speech & Language

Interactions

Visual & auditory processing

Sensory Visual & sound


Types Sensory Needs

Auditory Processing Language, tone/pitch, volume

Human touch, clothing,food (texture)

Tactile (touch)

Olfactory (taste & smell) Diet, environment

Visual-Perceptual Skills Depth perception, memory, motion

Vestibular Balance, movement


Coping Mechanisms

“Stimming”: Repetitive behavior that helps individuals self-regulate

Auditory Yelling

Chirping

Scripting

Physical Tapping/Clapping

Spinning/Rocking

Jumping

Visual

Focus

Staring

Turning Objects


Imagine seeing this...when everyone else see that


Customer Persona

Ethan

Demographics

• “I don’t know how to make friends”• Obsessed with Pixar films• Loves mobile apps

• 7 years old, 2nd grader• Mid-Functioning autism• High sensory sensitivity• 20 hours/week therapy

Needs & Goals

Behaviors• 3 hrs/day playing apps: Youtube, Angry Birds, etc.• 8/10 can’t interpret conversations with others

• Wants friends• Anxious with new people• Needs to avoid being socially left behind


Product Needs

Skills: Educators + Product Designers

Engagement: Leverage animation, interactions, interests

Education: Enhance, not translate

Scope/Price: Make it an investment, but don’t price-gouge


Market Opportunities

Assessment Education Daily Living Communication


Rules of Thumb

Always Assume Intelligence


Avoid In-App Purchases

That’s nice Just looking Must have


The YouTube Test

Navigation Navigation The experience

If you’re navigation is more complicated than YouTube, start over


Avoid Rote Learning

Bee is not in app Button spacing! No visuals


Give Room For Creativity

Pick a Character Choose Clothes Customize Finished Product

But keep options simple


Combine Interests + Learning

Zombies, check! Addition, check! Awesome stars, check!


Provide Visual Help

No visual instruction No help option

But avoid creating dependency


Sequential Tutorials Are Awesome


Overcome Color Blindness

Shapes & Patterns help di!erentiate Colors

Correct


What Levers Do We Have?

Animation Speed, number of objects moving, frequency, etc.

Sound Language, tone/pitch, volume, frequency

User-Interface Copy, Layout, button size, colors, patterns, shapes

User Interactions Gestures, reaction times


Thank You!Jacob Esparza CEO & Co-Founder,

Making Friends Inc.

@jacobespa @MakingFriendsSF


designing for special needs slide share 11.13

Health & Medicine

product needs skills

visual help

friends anxious

sensory issues

help option

product designers engagement

behavioral decits

digital devices