We Vibe
Mobile App
Project
Context
We live in a society bloated with data yet starved for wisdom. We're connected 24/7, yet anxiety, fear, depression and loneliness is at an all-time high. The mental health crisis has greatly affected the world and we set out to understand how we can potentially tackle this for people who have some form of physical disability.
Role: Lead UX Research and Design
Duration: 10 weeks
Data Gather sessions: User interviews, Ethnographic field observations, Survey and Workshops Low fidelity wireframes, High fidelity prototype, Usability testing, Card sorting and User journey mapping
Tools: Figma, Adobe Photoshop, Miro and Keynote
Project
Scope
Coping with life after acquiring a disability later in life is uncomfortable and extremely difficult. Disabilities force changes to one's private and social lives, leading to loneliness, social isolation, and anxiety. Most of these changes happen gradually and unintentionally without any malice. These chains of events lead to a reduction in opportunities to connect with their friends, family, and community.
How might we improve organic interactions between people with disabilities and the community around them to reduce the feeling of loneliness and social isolation?
Project
Goals
In-order to tackle the challenge, we set out to understand the following which formed the goals for the research.
01
Secondary Deep dive
Exploratory research mapping the life with disability, key facts and figures, what signals are emerging in the landscape
03
Perceptions + Stigma
Understand the perceptions and stigma surrounding people with disabilities
02
People with disability
Understand the coping mechanisms of people with acquired disability
04
Social isolation
Understand the implications of loneliness and social isolation on an individual’s well being.
Project
Challenge
How might we improve organic interactions between people with disabilities and the community around them to reduce the feeling of loneliness and social isolation??
WeVibe app
A mobile application that helps reduce loneliness and social isolation by promoting organic interactions among people with disabilities and their closest connections. The platform provides creative avenues to promote interactions digitally and physically, acting like a virtual support group. This helps people who acquire disabilities to cope with their situation in a positive manner and makes their closest connections agents of positive change.
Functionality
Primary: Create a sense of belongingness through organic interactions and peer support.
The idea for the mobile application was inspired by people born with disabilities stressing the importance of a strong support system. Developing a strong support system after acquiring a disability later in life is extremely difficult, making coping with life even more so. This mobile application focusses on creating, retaining, and growing peer support networks for people who acquire a disability.
Secondary: The core idea of the app is to increase interaction and provide a motivated, strong support system to a person who acquired a disability. Support the interactions through secondary features such as 1-1 online games, hobbies and events, motivational podcasts, and mental health guidance.
• Find interesting events
• Watch motivational videos and listen to podcasts
• Guidance and Mentorship
• Play multiplayer games with your kids
• Connect with your doctor for urgent medical assistance
Mapping -
• Map of all places accessible to specific type of disability
• Peer group session virtual
• Emergency response
• Read about new developments and articles about your disability
• Optional Live location visibility
How to
use the app
The application has defined roles for each of the five members of the peer support group of the main user. The intimate size of the group promotes stronger and more sustainable relationships among a smaller number of people.
The roles are interchangeable and a person can act as more than one role and can be customised to each person specific.
Admin: The person who controls the app, either the person with a disability or a guardian.
Mentor and Guide: A person with disability who can help by acting as a guide throughout their journey.
Caretaker: The person who will help take care of the persons daily needs. Crisis advocate: The person who will help when there is an emergency.
Friend: The closest friend of the person.
