Making Things Better Together: A New Way to Design with People Who Have Communication Challenges

People who have trouble speaking or understanding words need special attention when designing services or research projects. This is because most design methods rely heavily on talking and writing. But, there's a way to include them effectively. It's called Experience-Based Co-Design (EBCD). It's becoming more popular, but not many have tried adapting it for those with communication disabilities. A recent project used EBCD to create a self-management platform called Communication Connect. This platform is for people who have aphasia after a stroke or cognitive-communication disability from a brain injury. The team had to make changes to the usual EBCD process to make it work for these users. First, they had to plan carefully. They needed to find ways to include everyone, even those who can't speak or write well. This meant using different methods to gather ideas and feedback. For example, they might use pictures, gestures, or even technology to help people express their thoughts. The team also had to be flexible. They had to be ready to change their plans if something wasn't working. This is important because everyone's needs are different. What works for one person might not work for another. The goal of this project was to create a platform that helps people manage their communication challenges. But, it's also about something bigger. It's about showing that everyone can be included in the design process, no matter their abilities. This is important because it can lead to better services and research that truly meet people's needs.