Matching Items (3)
Description
Waggle Ballet explores the possibility of increasing access to ballet for blind audience members by using a combination of live music, accessible choreography, a sensory based workshop, and wearable sonification technology. Waggle Ballet is a classical ballet excerpt that addresses the limitations presented by audio descriptions. Where audio descriptions serve to describe exactly what can be seen on stage for audience members with blindness or vision impairments, Waggle Ballet uses other sensory elements to trigger the imagination and create a sound environment that is generated through ballet movements with the help of motion capturing sensors and thematic sound outputs. The piece was performed in front of a live audience of varying sight abilities with the live musical accompaniment of the bass clarinet. A mini workshop was given that incorporated storytelling and touch to help audience members become familiar with the environment created in the piece. With all the elements coming together, Waggle Ballet hopes to evoke a unique experience that draws from the aspects of ballet performance beyond purely visual aesthetics.
ContributorsFelder, Kiara (Author) / Cechanowicz, Laura (Thesis director) / Puruhito, Krista (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / School of Art (Contributor) / School of Human Evolution & Social Change (Contributor) / School of Sustainability (Contributor)
Created2024-05
Description
It is well understood that many people who experience hearing loss do not realize the extent of their loss and often do not seek help. This resistance to intervention puts them at risk of social isolation, depression and even serious neurological issues such as dementia.
This research explores first, the attitudes that people have toward hearing loss and how these attitudes affect the adoption of products and services that could help them. This may not seem like a design question, but it is paramount to designers who seek to improve the quality of life for this population. It is no longer enough to create beautiful, functional products. In order to make a difference in people’s lives, designers need to understand the underlying motivations that drive behavior. This informs the second question this study seeks to answer, what changes can be made to current products and services on the market in order to increase adoption.
Through a series of qualitative interviews with seniors experiencing hearing loss, this study finds that the main factors in their attitudes towards hearing loss are their feelings towards aging in general, their susceptibility to stigma, and their perceptions of the cost and functionality of the hearing devices available. However, the most important factor found in this study is a lack of awareness. Awareness of their own level of hearing loss. Awareness of the risks associated with putting off intervention. And awareness of the products and services available to help. Thus, design solutions that focus on visibility of services and patient education will have the most meaningful impact on quality of life for those who suffer from hearing loss.
This research explores first, the attitudes that people have toward hearing loss and how these attitudes affect the adoption of products and services that could help them. This may not seem like a design question, but it is paramount to designers who seek to improve the quality of life for this population. It is no longer enough to create beautiful, functional products. In order to make a difference in people’s lives, designers need to understand the underlying motivations that drive behavior. This informs the second question this study seeks to answer, what changes can be made to current products and services on the market in order to increase adoption.
Through a series of qualitative interviews with seniors experiencing hearing loss, this study finds that the main factors in their attitudes towards hearing loss are their feelings towards aging in general, their susceptibility to stigma, and their perceptions of the cost and functionality of the hearing devices available. However, the most important factor found in this study is a lack of awareness. Awareness of their own level of hearing loss. Awareness of the risks associated with putting off intervention. And awareness of the products and services available to help. Thus, design solutions that focus on visibility of services and patient education will have the most meaningful impact on quality of life for those who suffer from hearing loss.
ContributorsSavage Tongay, Noone (Author) / Sanft, Alfred (Thesis advisor) / Peña, Lisa (Thesis advisor) / Waldron, Kathleen (Committee member) / Arizona State University (Publisher)
Created2019
Description
ABSTRACTThis study focuses on the patient-therapist relationship in the physical therapy and
rehabilitative field. It also studies the concept of stigma that users of assistive and
rehabilitative devices face intrinsically and extrinsically. Stigma users of these devices
face while going through therapy often leads to device abandonment and regression in
rehabilitation. The purpose of this study is to identify the most common types of stigma
experienced by these users, to evaluate how patients and therapist interact, and what
possible gaps in communication they may have, ultimately to explore the potential
benefits of incorporating industrial design practices into the physical therapy and
rehabilitative field, in an attempt to alleviate the identify pain points in regards to the
aforementioned. A mixed-method qualitative/quantitative approach was taken through
the use of survey, interviews, and observational study. Weekly, 2-3 hour site visits to
SWAN Rehab in Phoenix, AZ were made to conduct said interviews and observation,
while digital surveys were dispersed through multiple online channels. Key findings
include that common stigmas experienced by device users are being labeled as “other”
or being seen as “less than” by others, and that assistive and rehabilitative devices leave
much to be desired. Lastly, the implementation of an industrial designer into the
patient-therapist relationship is a route that needs to be explored further. Agile design is
a facet of industrial design that may prove useful in this field, but require future research
to substantiate. This future research may include applied projects involving a patient,
therapist, and designer, where assistive and rehabilitative devices are customized
specifically for the patient in question. An ethnographic study is also necessary to gain a
deeper understanding of what physical therapy truly entails.
Keywords: Stigma, Patient-Therapist Relationship, Industrial Design
ContributorsJanes, Solomon (Author) / Takamura, John (Thesis advisor) / Shin, Dosun (Committee member) / Hoffner, Kristin (Committee member) / Arizona State University (Publisher)
Created2023