Week 1 (09/08/23)
Today was the first meeting for the VIP Team, Everyday Assistive Technologies. After initial introductions, we discussed the different projects we can work on this semester. I was most drawn to the opportunity to work with a non-profit, Luv Michael Granola, to adapt kitchen tools and digital content to be more accessible. By next week, I want to look more into the opportunities for involvement with them. I am also very interested in exploring the makerspace training classes as it would be a great way to prototype and bring my ideas to life.
Week 2 (09/15/23)
During the week, I started on a few different tracks.
Firstly, I looked into the MakerSpace Trainings and completed the orientation. Next, I did some more research on Luv Michael Granola, to find opportunities I can get involved with. I could not attend the weekly meeting for more than a few minutes this week as I was at the NYU Career Fair. However, during the time that I was there, I shared my progress with everyone.
For next week, I will be connecting with Angela to discuss space organization for The Ability Project.
Week 3 (09/22/23)
This week, I was able to connect with Angelique and discuss the idea of redesigning and reorganizing the IDM space. We discussed what the space currently looks like and potential ideas.
The plan for next week would be to visit the IDM lab space and start thinking of ways we can reorganize it to be more accessible.
Week 4 (09/29/23)
Today’s meeting was online, because of the flood warning. However, during the week, we were able to get a start on redesigning the IDM lab spaces to be more accessible.
Firstly, I was able to visit the space and take a picture of the shelves we would like to organize first. Then, Angelique and I were able to connect and discuss initial ideas for making the space more accessible. Some of our initial ideas include:
- Creating a give-take space for students to share used materials
- Organizing using labels and cubbies
- Finding a stool to reach the shelves higher up
Week 5 (10/06/23)
I could not attend the meeting today as I was attending a VIP workshop on Teamwork and Collaboration. It was a great reflection and learning experience!
For the IDM open lab spaces, I was able to visit the ITP maker space and take some inspirational photos. Angelique and I then had a discussion about what we could learn from the photos. Here are some of our notes from our discussions:
- Drawing inspiration from student work on display
- Maybe we can display more student work around these spaces? Already exists in some areas such as the riso print area
- Can be joined with the student gallery outside the Ability Project lab space?
- Use lots of cubbies
- Makes everything look much more organized
- Labeling materials
- What we can do: create a map
- Angelique’s observations from the lab visit:
- Less materials than last year
- Organized differently, seemingly worse, as there are less materials and not any direction as to where they are/how to access them
- Heavy machines at the top, which can be hard to reach for others and creates issue of inaccessibility
- Could potentially fall on someone who might be trying to reach it
- Where are the stools?
- Needs labeling and organization
Week 6 (10/13/23)
This week Angelique and I decided that we could speak to some of the people who currently work in the IDM Lab space to better understand their needs, challenges, and observations. We could also maybe run our current ideas by them and collaborate to bring them to life.
Week 7 (10/20/23)
This week was a bit more slow because of Midterms. However, I was able to go to the IDM Lab Space and speak to one of the technicians about possibly connecting with the team. They suggested I write an email to them, which I did. Now we are just waiting to hear back from them.
Also on the track of Luv Michael Granola, I wrote back to the students from the Developing Assistive Technologies class today, and we will try to set up a quick connect once midterms are over.
Week 8 (10/27/23)
This week we were able to set some time with the IDM Lab space technicians for next week, and also think of some questions we would want to ask them.
I also followed up with the students working on Luv Michael Granola. In the next few weeks, we will try to connect with them to plan for the project. We also got some initial resources that could help us stay up to date with what is currently being planned.
Week 9 (11/03/23)
This week I was able to speak to Don, who is the Design Lab GA about any accessibility-related needs of the Lab space. Some of the points from the discussion were:
- Can you go over the current lab setup?
- Nothing where the projector screen is
- Supplies that are dangerous – in tools cabinet (locked – after hrs), upon request
- Craft shelves – anyone can take what they want
- Ladders cannot be used without ladder training
- Usually top shelves – materials we do not use
- Most used supplies – at eye level
- Could use a stool
- What are some accessibility related challenges you see people face in the IDM Lab?
- Blue rack – can’t see the scissors
- Specific materials they do not have yet
- Labels to categorize materials – did not feel the necessity, but would be nice
- How do you think the lab can be made more accessible?
- Safety banner
- Info on reception desk
- White space – fill up with info
- Written and visual guides
Based on this, our next steps would be to discuss a few projects we would like to take on with the IDM Lab to help make it more accessible.
Week 10 (11/10/23), 11 (11/17/23)
For Week 10 and 11, I mainly focused on kicking off our project collaboration with Luv Michael Granola.
I connected with Diane Chudley from Luv Michael Granola, and visited the kitchen. She showed us around and also gave us an introduction into the project they would like us to work on. The project description is:
A holder for the gift bags that can be used to stabilize the gift bags, helping the employees tie it with ease. The tool should also provide a guide to show where the bag needs to be tied, and how the bow needs to be made.
For next week, the goal is to ideate on how we can meet the project requirements individually, and then connect as a group to discuss our ideas.
Week 12 (11/24/23), 13(12/1/23)
Week 12 was Thanksgiving Week, but for Week 13, I did some ideation for Luv Michael Granola.
My inspiration for the concept was a table clamp that is used in woodworking.
Based on this, I created a concept where the apparatus is clamped onto the table, and subsequently clamps the bag.
Once I did some ideation, Sophie Ana and I connected to discuss our concepts. We realized that our concepts were very different, and we would need to validate our concepts with some real testing. So, for the next few weeks of the semester, our goal is to create CAD files of our concept, and if possible, 3D print them, and experiment with them.
Week 14 (12/8/23)
Today, I showed Amy some of the renderings I have been working on for the Luv Michael Granola project. It was a very helpful discussion! Firstly, we realized that there may be products already on the market that we can use as a starting point to make our products. We found this one product on Amazon that we then ordered for our prototyping (Here is the link).
We also wrote to Diane, to get her thoughts on what we have so far before we proceed to more concrete prototypes.
While we wait to hear back from her, we plan to experiment with the bag holders that we found on Amazon, and see how we can use that to meet the needs of the Luv Michael Granola team.
Week 15 (12/15/23)
Today is the last meeting for the semester!
I did not work on our VIP this week because of finals, but we discussed our achievements from the semester, which I had some time to reflect on. I don’t think I have one big achievement from the VIP I want to highlight, but I do have smaller achievements throughout this semester:
- I did some MakerSpace trainings, and learned how to Laser cut and 3D print.
- I learned a lot about accessibility needs and considerations in both digital and physical design.
- Angelique and I got to know the IDM MakerSpace Lab team, and prompted them to think about accessibility needs in the space.
- I was able to connect with the Luv Michael Granola team, and help them meet their needs by designing a physical product for them (WIP).
I am excited to continue working on these projects, and learning more about accessibility design in the next semester!