This project is themed around the challenges that people with hidden disabilities face. The term ‘hidden disabilities’ is an umbrella term that covers a wide range of challenges that are primarily neurological in nature. It may include fibromyalgia, dyslexia, diabetes, sleep disorders, visual or auditory problems, Crohn’s disease, Aspergers, anxiety, biopolar, autism, lupus.

The inspiration for this piece, my final major project, came from talking to people who have neurological problems and considering appropriate responses. For the purposes of narrowing down the research within the timescale set for the project, I concentrated on dyspraxia because it’s something I know a lot about.

Research

I was moved by the account of a young lady with dyspraxia who, due to severe, high functioning balance issues, was sat on the seats on a train that are reserved for people with disabilities. She is registered disabled and sometimes uses a stick when she’s tired and her balance goes to pieces. As you can imagine train journeys are awful and this one, on packed train, was awful. It was made worse by passengers telling her she had to move as she wasn’t disabled. This induced an anxiety attack and she had to leave the train at the next stop. All because nobody knew was dyspraxia was and she was unable to articulate what it was as her speech is affected when highly stressed.

This story was a common tale sadly. Neuro-typical peoples ignorance about the condition affects the person who has the hidden disability.  As communication can be a problem, I devised different ways to collect responses that would make the project accessible. There was a workshop, an online survey and some first-person conversations. I also updated this site and received many emails. I also spoke to support organisations.

Workshop

At the workshop we looked at the material available. Tools sold by groups and foundations comprise of factsheets, pens or pencils with grip and an assortment of promotional pieces including a wrist band, hats and trolley coins. The factsheets came under special scrutiny. Whilst the content is clearly peer reviewed and offers advice from specialists, I was surprised to see it laid across an A4 page with very long line lengths with little visual divisions. This makes it hard to digest.

These support groups also have problems. Limited budgets means it’s hard for them to have fancy advertising as their funds are ploughed into research and diagnosis.

Interpretation

I heard from a coach from a football team, a social worker and a firefighter. Tony has problems with escalators which almost made him move away from London. He said that for a while he felt like a prisoner in his city because every journey involved a challenge as his balance hard to manage but not enough to qualify for support. He overcame his fear of the underground with NLP and wanted to share that. He does not feel comfortable wearing a daisy lanyard.

My research told me that the solution had to be

• low cost

• easy to update

• modern and appropriate to a wide range of ages

• a template that could be used for all sorts of disabilities

• accessible

Solution

• I wrote down a list of common challenges and mined the survey and social media to find people within a 60-mile radius of my location to interview.

• Then I came up with a template that took into account accessible typefaces and colours.

• In a change of plan to my proposal which considered asking people to send in photos, art or words, I decided to control the content into a sophisticated piece aimed at adults because dyspraxia is for life, but it need not be difficult.

• The theme was positive messages from ordinary people who just happen to have dyspraxia and to inform others. 

• I also designed a set of postcards which can be used to inform when the person is struggling to cope. The back is blank apart from the website.

• A website (only live for the duration of the module) contained the poster set in full with the text and links to portals that contain more advice. 

• Peer review was required by The Dyspraxia Foundation and DORE.

Further development

• This could include postcard packs, poster display and a portable item such as a badge or bag with a QR code to resources. Modern, sustainable and fashionable lanyard designs.

•  The set of posters were displayed at an exhibition on dyspraxia in Birmingham at DORE

• The templates can be adapted for other content.