Research Plan for People With Disabilities
Introduction
Using another one of Mel’s challenge prompts, I drafted a research plan for the problem statement: How can we better understand the way people with disabilities travel? I also delievered my insights and proposed some design considerations.
Research Plan
Background: People with disabilities face a lot of challenges, more so the challenge of transportation and mobility. Transportation is central to employment and economic development and unfortunately, people with disabilities face a major disadvantage in this. Some of these people prefer to stay home all day long due to expected difficulties and challenges of inaccessibility. This might, in the long run, cause depression, arouse feelings of stigmatization and make them withdrawn from their loved ones.
Problem Statement: How can we better understand the way people with disabilities travel?
Research Objectives:
- To find out challenges disabled people face while travelling.
- To find out existing measures put in place to help ease the stress of travelling on disabled people.
- To find out factors that influence/affect their choice of travelling medium.
Methodology
In order to assemble proper information about the travel behaviour of disabled people, I got my data from various sources including:
- Online communities for disabled people
- Articles about transport patterns of people with disabilities
Data Analysis: An affinity diagram will be used for quick analysis of data.
Confidentiality: Private data such as names and ages will be kept anonymous.
Affinity Mapping
After gathering my data from the different sources, I created an affinity map/diagram on FigJam so as to easily cluster different themes and sections of the data.
Insights
From the affinity diagram and the data from articles, I came up with some insights on how we can better understand the way people with disabilities travel:
- Collection of qualitative and quantitative data: Both qualitative and quantitative data collection methods should be used to gain a comprehensive understanding of the travel behavior of people with disabilities. Qualitative methods, such as in-depth interviews and focus groups, can provide rich and detailed information about the experiences, challenges, and preferences of individuals with disabilities in relation to travel. On the other hand, quantitative methods, such as surveys and observations, can provide a more generalizable understanding of the patterns and trends in travel behavior among people with disabilities.
- Consideration of diversity among individuals with disabilities: It is important to note that people with disabilities are a diverse group, and their travel behavior may vary based on factors such as age, gender, type and severity of disability, and personal preferences. Thus, it is crucial to consider the diversity of the population. I also found that, most transportation problems for disabled people were related to income alone; people who earn more had less transportation issues.
- Engagement with the community of people with disabilities: Engaging with the community of people with disabilities is very crucial in understanding their travel behavior. This can be achieved through partnerships with advocacy groups, disabilities services organizations, and community-based organizations. This will ensure that the perspectives and experiences of people with disabilities are captured and reflected in the research.
- Assessment of the physical and social environment: The physical and social environment, including transportation infrastructure, accessibility, and social attitudes, can significantly impact the travel behavior of people with disabilities. Thus, it is important to assess and incorporate the impact of these factors in the research.
- Use of technology and assistive devices: The use of technology and assistive devices can play a crucial role in the travel behavior of people with disabilities. Although some of these tools cannot be used 24 hours due to battery and network issues, it is important to consider the use of these tools and how they can be utilized to enhance the travel experience of individuals with disabilities.
In conclusion, a comprehensive and inclusive approach that considers the diversity of the population, engages with the community, assesses the physical and social environment, and takes into account the use of technology and assistive devices, will provide valuable insights into the travel behavior of people with disabilities.
Proposed design considerations
Based on the research conducted, data gotten, and delivered insights, the following design considerations can be proposed to enhance the travel experience of people with disabilities:
- Accessibility: Transportation infrastructure and facilities should be designed to be accessible and usable by individuals with disabilities. This includes the provision of accessible public transportation options, such as low-floor buses and accessible trains, and the installation of wheelchair ramps, elevators, and audio information systems.
- Usability: The design of transportation facilities and services should be user-friendly and easy to navigate for individuals with disabilities. This includes the provision of clear signage, easy-to-use information systems, and well-lit and spacious waiting areas.
- Integration of technology and assistive devices: The integration of technology and assistive devices, such as real-time information systems, mobile apps, and audio-visual announcements, can enhance the travel experience of individuals with disabilities.
- Social considerations: The design of transportation services should take into account the social environment and address any barriers that may impact the travel experience of individuals with disabilities. This includes raising awareness among staff and other travelers about the needs of individuals with disabilities and providing training on how to provide assistance.
- Customer feedback: Regular engagement with the community of people with disabilities to gather feedback on their travel experiences can help to identify areas for improvement and inform the design of transportation services.
- Inclusiveness: The design of transportation services should be inclusive, taking into account the needs of a diverse range of individuals with disabilities. This includes considering the needs of individuals with different types and severity of disabilities, as well as their different ages and preferences.
In conclusion, the design of transportation services should prioritize accessibility, usability, integration of technology and assistive devices, social considerations, customer feedback, and inclusiveness, to enhance the travel experience of individuals with disabilities.
Conclusion
Transportation is an extremely important issue for those with disabilities. The society needs to put more measures in place to make sure the wellbeing of people with disabilities is taken into consideration in the transport/traveling sector. The government, transport operators and the society at large all have a role to play in this.
This research was very insightful, I really did learn a lot about people with disabilities, problems they face, amongst others.
Thank you for reading this piece! Please let me know what you think and drop a clap if you like this.
Some resources I used:
