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innovations for pwd
The Innovations for Independent Living among People with Disabilities in India study aims to assess how Information and Communications Technology (ICT) can enable independent living for persons with disabilities in India. This study has been conceptualised by LIRNEasia, a Sri Lanka based regional ICT policy and regulation think tank, in partnership with Vihara Innovation Network. LIRNEasia aims to strengthen independent living opportunities in India and South Asia for people with disabilities, by catalyzing the use of ICT.
1. The Process
A qualitative and ethnographic research exercise was carried out with 86 people with disabilities and 9 key informants from the community. Three segments from the disability space were selected for the study a. speech and hearing impaired + deaf segment; b. visually impaired + blind segment; c. locomotor or orthopaedically impaired segment. We targeted respondents with a single type of disability across different income groups (low, middle, and upper), maintained gender parity, and targeted for ICT users. A functional understanding of disability (based on whether an individual was able to perform physical functions) was followed to understand how disabled the person with disability is/ feels, and we recruited study participants reporting a range of impairments from some difficulty in performing the function, to complete impairment of the function itself.
From field data inputs, which were collected using ethnographic research methods, we mapped the notions of independent living. Data was simultaneously analysed to arrive at insights or the ways in which people with disabilities negotiated public and private life.
This led us to identify a set of problem patterns (experience of barriers in different domains of everyday life), and a set of enablers (people, processes, institutions, and artefacts which allow people with disabilities to operate in daily life).
The choice framework was developed using the notions of independent living to understand what independent living choices people with disabilities could exercise, and with which degree of assistance.
From field data inputs, which were collected using ethnographic research methods, we mapped the notions of independent living. Data was simultaneously analysed to arrive at insights or the ways in which people with disabilities negotiated public and private life.
This led us to identify a set of problem patterns (experience of barriers in different domains of everyday life), and a set of enablers (people, processes, institutions, and artefacts which allow people with disabilities to operate in daily life).
The choice framework was developed using the notions of independent living to understand what independent living choices people with disabilities could exercise, and with which degree of assistance.
2. The Choice Framework
Using phenomenological (deriving knowledge from direct experience) methods, we used experiences of persons with disabilities as data. We gathered their narratives, with specific questions on the users’ experiences of educational facilities, public spaces and transport, health facilities, emergency situations, places of employment, legal systems, and technological interventions that may have eased their integration into the same. The original research problem centred on assessing the respondent’s/user’s ability to live independently, as well as understanding the pain points, or points of disruption, caused directly or indirectly by the respondent’s disability. We used the identified areas of inquiry, supported by the notions of independent living, to generate a basic phenomenological lens, or framework with which to review and filter the raw data. We chose to call this the experience framework. Reviewing user cases across different disability segments through this lens, led us to the conclusion that independent living, for our entire respondent sample, is defined by and dependent on the range of choices they perceive as being available to them.
3. The Priority Indicator Framework
In addition to existing legal frameworks and community based support centres, other enablers which contributed directly to people’s ability to navigate their daily lives that emerged included ICT based apps, and sensitised peer and family networks. Additionally, wealth too enabled access to different technologies and opportunity areas. For the most part, individuals who had access to support centres, basic digital literacy, and wealth, were able to perform better according to the outlined independent living parameters. The priority indicator framework was developed to understand which groups benefited most from the enablers, and which require further, targeted support.
Enablers
3. Outcomes
These framework analyse the in-depth interviews, focus group discussions and focused ethnographies.
We arrived at 12 thematic insights and 37 problem areas, each having an associated design principle, design brief, and possible solutions for the problem area. You can access the full published report of the project using the link below.
Let's collaborate, say hi.
The Team
Gayathri, Raikamal,
Debasmita, Kislay, Amarinder
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