Abstract
How can the co-creation of bespoke, handmade playful objects support children who have complex communication needs? 'Fabric Fobs' are prototypes of digitally tagged objects that comprise key touchpoints of a service system that enables independent access to online communication in a demanding family-centred healthcare context.
In a project funded by the Scottish Funding Council through its Spirit Innovation Voucher Scheme, the research team used a co-design method: grounded in the understanding of the real life experiences, ideas and skills of the people, who use, need and run services. Design and craft methods were used to create an environment in which new digitally tagged objects could be created by parents, children and health professionals to explore relationships and observation, participation, conversation, prototyping and manufacturing could happen in the same space.
The collaborative workshops uncovered a latent need which the team are currently working on – designing a service system to enable the parents and carers of children with complex communication needs to share information about their child’s personality, likes and environmental needs.
Working with children, their families and carers in ‘craft cocreation’ workshops enabled conversations about family relationships, home, music, films, sounds and other activities which paint a picture of the life of a child who cannot communicate be shared and documented. The families and carers of children with complex communication needs became designers of their own interactions. This paper discusses the staff and parents' responses to the process and recommendations for the next stage of the process.
In a project funded by the Scottish Funding Council through its Spirit Innovation Voucher Scheme, the research team used a co-design method: grounded in the understanding of the real life experiences, ideas and skills of the people, who use, need and run services. Design and craft methods were used to create an environment in which new digitally tagged objects could be created by parents, children and health professionals to explore relationships and observation, participation, conversation, prototyping and manufacturing could happen in the same space.
The collaborative workshops uncovered a latent need which the team are currently working on – designing a service system to enable the parents and carers of children with complex communication needs to share information about their child’s personality, likes and environmental needs.
Working with children, their families and carers in ‘craft cocreation’ workshops enabled conversations about family relationships, home, music, films, sounds and other activities which paint a picture of the life of a child who cannot communicate be shared and documented. The families and carers of children with complex communication needs became designers of their own interactions. This paper discusses the staff and parents' responses to the process and recommendations for the next stage of the process.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | Research Through Design |
| Subtitle of host publication | Praxis and Poetics Conference 2013 |
| Editors | Jayne Wallace, Joyce Yee, Abigail Durrant |
| Place of Publication | Newcastle |
| Publisher | University of Northumbria at Newcastle |
| Number of pages | 5 |
| ISBN (Electronic) | 9780954958794 |
| Publication status | Published - 3 Sept 2013 |