hands-on health

https://grandiose-magazine-68b.notion.site/Blog-Writing-1a65e6cea08c447599e81574a9d88334?pvs=4

Year:

2023

Skills/ Tools

Physical Computing, EduTech, Design Research

For my MFA Thesis project, I designed tactile and accessible tools to teach children with visual impairments anatomy and physiology in the context of sexual health. Hands-on Health kits are a set of “press-and-play” educational tools created to teach children with visual impairments between the age of 12 and 14 about anatomy and physiology in the context of sexual health and well-being. Understanding how your body works is an important step in feeling safe and comfortable about the changes that bodies go through during adolescence.

Studying resources and form

A separate curriculum does not exist for teaching anatomy and physiology to the visually impaired students. It is difficult to use images and text the same way for them. This is why I want to explore the use of textured or embossed surfaces and physical materials and objects that can be used to teach sex education to the visually impaired. The first attempt was made using laser engraving and cutting on MDF.

References from other people

I connected with Erika Teal, who is a teacher for visually impaired (TVI). She works on designing and redesigning existing games and curriculums to support teaching children with partial or complete blindness by making them accessible. Some of her further insights were that in the context of anatomy, tactility would play a primary role in communication because it is important for them to understand how things are spatially and how parts fit into the anatomy and that Giving verbal descriptions of what is happening plays an important role in teaching blind children.

Designing the final prototype

Wooden shape puzzles have been proven very useful in communicating shapes developing a sense of space and objects for the children. Based on that, I designed a 3D model using Blender to be then 3D printed. It included space for making electrical connections to an Arduino Soundboard by Adafruit to provide audio descriptions through play.

How it works?

The children receive the pieces and the base of one anatomical system at a time. The base has raised outlines to be able to feel and follow the shapes of each organ. It also has braille text labels for each organ.

Any audio output device like a speaker or headphones can be connected to the jack on the side using a 3.5mm auxiliary cables.

Once the red button is pressed, the experience will start with an audio introduction that guides them to the first organ. As they place each organ, the audio will give an explanation about the functions of that organ and guide them to the next one, thus giving a detailed overview of each anatomical system.

In Action

The prototype was tested at Poona School and Home for the Blind by members of Jnana Prabodhini's Institute of Psychology.

Credits

Jnana Prabodhini's Institute of Psychology and their Good Touch Bad Touch Initiative