Making Of
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How might we evolve D-School’s attractiveness, readiness, and accessibility for diversified communities?
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We developed a pilot program to test core assumptions and “quick fixes” of our new inclusion strategy.
Context
Taking into consideration HPI D-School’s framing of diversity for teams and human-centered innovation, we aim to diversify the study- and work experience at the D-School, while improving our overall organizational culture.
Very few but distinct past experiences with participants with disabilities showed both the fact that many aspects of the D-School learning environment are suited for them, but also that there are large gaps in media usage and local knowledge.
Solution
Access for All is an HPI D-School initiative to foster inclusion of students with disabilities into our core program offerings. User research, site visits, expert interviews, and secondary research led to defining additional criteria for student-selection, physical requirements, and transparent online communication.
We re-designed material, space, furniture, media to improve overall accessibility and implemented new selection processes that diversify ethnic/gender diversity across staff and coaches.
1
System Insight
Innovation spaces in Germany are often exclusive to people with all types of disabilities because of their work-modes and communication-cutlure.
3
Prototype Insight
The development process including several well-prepared testing-interactions showed that all efforts planned or implemented so far are relevant and are manageable by existing human resources.
2
Human Insight
Both knowledge providers and potential learners (with disabilities) are open to overcoming their biases, experiment, and learn from each other in order to improve the environment and culture.
Access for All
An inclusion & diversity strategy for an educational institution
2018-20
with Stefanie Schwerdtfeger
Client/Partner
HPI School of Design Thinking
Topics
Innovation Spaces, Education, Diversity & Inclusion
Approaches
Applied User Research, Change Management, Social Innovation, Network Building
Output
Service Strategy, Experience Design, Masterclass, Pilot-Program
Project Details
"Your Access" Card
A welcome card for people with physical disabilities (esp. wheelchair users) will grant the receivers self-determined orientation and access to the HPI D-School.
© HPI D-School, Christian Smirnow, Stefanie Schwerdtfeger
Multi-Modal Studio Spaces
A welcome card for people with physical disabilities (esp. wheelchair users) will grant the receivers self-determined orientation and access to the HPI D-School.
© HPI D-School, Jana Legler
"Your Access" Letter & Card
A personalized welcome letter is isssued to the recipient including the welcome card and electronic key fob.
© HPI D-School, Christian Smirnow, Stefanie Schwerdtfeger
Barrier-free Gate
Luckily, one of the campus gates opens electronically and has no barriers.
© HPI D-School, Christian Smirnow, Stefanie Schwerdtfeger
Low-hanging Wall-boards
New System180 Flex Board system installed at a comfortable height for small people, wheelchair users, and children.
© HPI D-School, Christian Smirnow, Stefanie Schwerdtfeger
Barrier-free Supply-Cart
Translucent boxes and clear labels make it easy to identify which supplies can be found in which box. It's all at an arm's reach and also accessible for children and small people.
© HPI D-School, Christian Smirnow, Stefanie Schwerdtfeger
Barrier-free Material-shelves
Open boxes and clear labels allow for easy access to all prototyping materials provided. Heavier items are sotred further down.
© HPI D-School, Christian Smirnow, Stefanie Schwerdtfeger
Adjusted Table-height
Various different furniture options are available and can easily be replaced in order to specific adjust to user needs.
© HPI D-School, Christian Smirnow, Stefanie Schwerdtfeger
