Design and Develop Digital Resource for Supporting Local People with Disabilities in North-East Engl

Relevant Programme-level

Relevant Programme-level

This assignment contributes to the following Programme-level

• Demonstrate a comprehensive knowledge and critical understanding of essential facts, concepts, principles, theories, methods, techniques and tools in the application and management of a range of current and emerging aspects of computer science
• Apply a comprehensive understanding of the professional, ethical, legal and social issues involved in the development and operation of a range of aspects of computer science.
• Systematically identify and analyse complex problems of a familiar and unfamiliar nature working both individually or as a member of a team and offer appropriate strategic solutions using a range of effective methods and tools
• Use appropriate techniques, tools and knowledge to support effective project management
• Demonstrate creativity in problem solving and decision making in complex and unpredictable situations

On completion of the assignment, students should have achieved the following learning outcomes (module learning outcomes can be found in full in the module handbook):

• Understanding human-centred design principles, approaches, and techniques
• Understanding design skills for social change
• Development of an interactive artefact or environment to support social change

Task Overview

This is an individual assignment. You must respond to the brief below by designing and prototyping an appropriate interactive technology. The deliverables for this assignment are (1) a 10-minute presentation of your design process and a demo of your interactive prototype, (2) a report documenting your design process and interactive prototype, following the guidelines below, and (3) your interactive prototype. Your prototype can be low-fidelity but it must be interactive (e.g. interface mock-ups, wireframes, and user journeys). You should demonstrate an Understanding of human-centred design principles, approaches, and techniques and an Understanding of design skills for social change through your documentation of the design process and your rationale and critical reflection on the prototype you produce.

You should use your Pictorial (report) as the basis for your presentation.

To bring the voice of people with disabilities into the heart of Government. Their aim is to bring together the views, ideas, and lived experiences of the disabled community and those who work with them (ranging from family and social care to bodies in local government, charities, the NHS, and beyond). Comprised of either regional hubs, the establishing of the RSN represents the latest attempt to shift to a more localised approach to engage with disabled people living in England, focusing on the hyper-local challenges and opportunities for improvement with the goal of feeding back into the national policies.

Weeks after announcing the RSN the COVID-19 pandemic took hold of the UK and lockdown measures were enforced. Social distancing restrictions and forced closure of many relied on support services have further exacerbated the everyday difficulties and challenges for the 7million+ people in the UK living with disabilities – placing an already vulnerable population at greater risk and need of support.

Despite efforts to supply technology and training, large proportions of this community are not digitally connected and must remain at home shielding for their health (even outside of lockdowns). (NE) hub are struggling to identify and engage with the local disabled communities and urgently need innovative solutions to connect and consult those individuals and groups. However, as we shall see, new digital technologies are creating opportunities for people to organise themselves around issues important to them and can be disruptive of top-down initiatives driven by the latest government policies.

You have been asked to research, design and develop a digital resource to support local people with disabilities here in North-East England. This could be based on the values of the RSN NE, which seeks to capture their voices and experiences to report back to the UK Government. Equally, it could create new opportunities for disabled community members to connect with each other to drive action in relation to issues important to them. Your technology should be applicable to an issue of local importance, e.g. transport, housing or employment (this is not an exhaustive list). RSN NE often works with other local organisations and support services – you may wish to consider such collaborations in the design of your digital resource. Whatever form it takes, your design decisions should be justified with respect to your research and design work.