?Welcome to the second edition of the Z2E KommunityChronicles Newsletter ?

Dear Fellow Komune members,?

In this issue, we're addressing a crucial and often misunderstood topic: Dis-Ability.?

Frequently seen as a hindrance, people with disabilities are often excluded from mainstream society, making them feel they can't do what others can. But that's not true—they are simply differently abled and have abilities unlike others.

This issue focuses on raising awareness about sensory disabilities—conditions that affect how people perceive the world, such as blindness, deafness, and anaphia (inability to feel pain or temperature). Our goal is to help you understand the challenges they face and inspire creative solutions to support them. Let’s get started!

?Look at the challenge stages and create something amazing!? Don’t forget to share it on your profile or the comments section with the hashtag #MakerChallengeZ2E2 ?

Calling everyone who loves to tinker and create!??

We’re focusing on anaphia, where people can't feel the sense of touch, affecting their ability to sense temperature.?Individuals with it may have difficulty distinguishing between hot and cold sensations, which can lead to challenges in maintaining comfort and avoiding potential hazards; increasing the risk of burns or frostbite, etc.

Your mission??

? Build a temperature-sensing device that helps those with Anaphia!

Challenge Stage 1: Simple DIY Temperature Sensing Tool

Materials Needed: Water, coloring ink, transparent container, straw.

• Prepare the Device: Fill a small, transparent container with water and add a few drops of coloring ink for better visibility. (1)
• Insert the Straw: Place a straw into the container, ensuring it is submerged in the water but does not touch the bottom.
• Observe Temperature Changes: The water level in the straw will rise or fall based on temperature changes. As the temperature increases, the water expands and moves up the straw; as it decreases, the water contracts and moves down.

?Tip: Experiment with different water levels and straw placements to find the most sensitive and accurate setup.

Challenge Stage 2: Basic Temperature Sensor with Arduino

Materials Needed: Temperature sensor (e.g., LM35 or TMP36), LEDs or LCD screen, Arduino board.

• Connect the Sensor: Attach the temperature sensor to the Arduino board according to the sensor’s datasheet.
• Program the Arduino: Write a simple program to read the temperature data from the sensor and display it on an LED or LCD screen.
• Test the Device: Place the sensor in different temperature environments and observe how the device responds.

? Tip: Choose a sensor with the right range and calibration that suits your project. Eg. Use LEDs for visual feedback, such as blue for cold and red for hot, etc.

Challenge Stage 3: Make the temperature-sensing device wearable

Now that you understand how to create a temperature-sensing device, try to see how you can make such a device suitable for people with anaphia. Experiment with gloves, caps, footwear, and other accessories that you can wear to create something useful and valuable.

Conclusion:?

Addressing anaphia and temperature sensing challenges can foster innovation! And building DIY temperature-sensing devices at varying complexity levels sharpens your problem-solving skills while helping create inclusive solutions for individuals with sensory disabilities.

References:

1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H4bRsclmiyo?
2. https://bc-robotics.com/tutorials/using-a-tmp36-temperature-sensor-with-arduino/?
3. https://www.instructables.com/Wearable-Temperature-Sensors-For-Working-in-Extrem/

Today’s activity is inspired by the Vietnamese story "Open the Window, Eyes Closed," which highlights how sensory activation enriches experiences for everyone, not just those with disabilities. While people with sensory disabilities often develop heightened other senses, everyone benefits from tuning into their environment. Sensory perception is how we experience and interact with the world. Our senses—sight, sound, touch, taste, and smell—shape our understanding, creativity, and problem-solving. Mapping based on sensory input deepens your observation skills, builds empathy, and brings attention to details that make you a better innovator.?

So, can you Imagine navigating your neighborhood without sight or sound? Let’s find out!

Your Mission: Create Your Sensory Own Maps?

Create sensory maps from point A to B in your locality, rating experiences (0 to 5) on touch, smell, and hearing. Name and customize your scale!?

Create Your Sensory Map: A Simple Guide

1. Pick Your Path: Choose a familiar route in your locality, like your walk to school or a nearby park.
2. Focus on Senses: Pay attention to what you feel, smell, and hear along the way. Think of textures, scents, and sounds.
3. Create a Fun Scale: Rate your experiences from 0 to 5. Get creative—name your scale (e.g., "Whisper" for quiet sounds, "Velvet" for smooth surfaces).
4. Map Your Journey: Walk your route and note your sensory experiences. Rate each one and add any sketches or thoughts.
5. Share and Reflect: Share your map with friends, and discuss what you noticed. Think about how these senses might affect someone with a sensory disability and brainstorm ideas for making your area more accessible.

Enjoyed the activity? Keep a journal of sensory observations—what you hear, see, smell, touch, and taste. Reflect on how these experiences influence your thoughts and creativity and let's get those ideas rolling!

References:

1. https://sensorymaps.blogspot.com/2016/04/development-of-smellwalk-methodologies.html
2. https://www.bookwormhanoi.com/open-the-window-eyes-closed-1

Most of the jobs dedicated to these individuals are low-paying and underutilize their talents, completely overlooking the immense potential because of failing to fully leverage their skills & talents! What if as makers, innovators, and entrepreneurs, we opened more opportunities, especially in industries where their skills can be recognized & better utilized???

The Possibilities:

Of the endless possible directions, we’ll explore Sound Technology as a powerful tool for visually impaired individuals! Let’s start with understanding how sound gives meaning to a visually impaired person’s life- Many visually impaired individuals use echolocation by clicking their tongues or using a cane, listening to the echoes to "see" their surroundings, similar to bats and dolphins. Technologies like JAWS or NVDA read text aloud on a screen, enabling blind individuals to use computers and smartphones. Now that you understand a visually impaired person’s interaction with sound better, let’s look at a few opportunities that give them a headstart in the space of sound :?

Sound Design and Engineering:

• Opportunity: Visually impaired individuals' acute hearing makes them ideal for crafting and editing soundscapes for games, films, and VR.?
• Example: An entrepreneur could start a sound design studio, prioritizing blind sound engineers, and providing training and tools for success.
• Case Study: Lighthouse Central Florida, a nonprofit dedicated to empowering individuals with vision loss, had launched a training program for visually impaired individuals in sound design and engineering. As a result, graduates have secured jobs in film and gaming, with their sound editing and design skills highly valued.

Audio Book Narration and Production:

• Opportunity: Narrating and producing audiobooks. Visually impaired individuals can utilize their vocal skills and editing attention.
• Example: An audiobook company could hire visually impaired narrators and editors, providing workstations with screen readers and voice-command tech.
• Case Study: National Braille Press expanded into audiobook production, hiring visually impaired narrators and editors.

Music Production and Composition:

• Opportunity: Composing and producing music for various industries. Visually impaired individuals offer unique perspectives on music and sound.
• Example: A music production company could create internships for visually impaired musicians, offering experience with advanced production tools.
• Case Study: Abilities Arts Festival ?(which showcases the artistic talents of individuals with disabilities) offered music production workshops for visually impaired artists with access to professional equipment. As an outcome, participants have released albums and worked on commercial projects, showcasing the potential of blind musicians.

Assistive Technology Development:

• Opportunity: Developing and refining assistive technologies like screen readers and voice-controlled devices. Visually impaired individuals’ experience makes them ideal for this work.
• Example: A tech startup focused on accessibility could hire visually impaired developers and testers to enhance products for their community.
• Case Study: IBM’s Accessibility Research group recruited visually impaired developers and testers to work on assistive technologies like screen readers and AI tools. Their input has led to user-friendly products and innovations benefiting the visually impaired community.

Podcasting:

• Opportunity: Hosting and producing podcasts on diverse topics. Visually impaired individuals bring unique storytelling and sound skills.
• Example: A podcast network could launch a channel for visually impaired hosts, providing training in production and content creation.
• Case Study: StoryCorps (an organization that records and shares the stories of everyday Americans) created a podcast series with visually impaired hosts and producers, providing accessible equipment and production training. The series gained popularity for its unique perspectives, and several blind hosts started their successful podcasts.

By leveraging the strengths of visually impaired individuals and creating accessible job opportunities, entrepreneurs can build successful businesses and foster a more inclusive society. These case studies show how thoughtful hiring and innovation benefit both companies and their visually impaired employees.

References:

1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IkQk8ZbToNo?
2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3FVjLXIaBC4?
3. https://www.miamilighthouse.org/Music_Program.asp?
4. https://huntnewsnu.com/68722/city/national-braille-press-creates-new-technology-for-blind-community-in-21st-century/?
5. https://afb.org/aw/5/5/14687?
6. https://storycorps.org/storycorps-studios/?

Are you passionate about making the world a more inclusive place? There’s a growing field dedicated to creating products and services that are accessible to everyone, including those with disabilities. Here’s how you can get involved:?

Key Roles to Explore:

• Accessibility Designer: Focuses on creating products that everyone can use, regardless of ability.
• Inclusive Product Manager: Ensures that new products meet the needs of diverse users.
• Assistive Technology Developer: Creates tools and devices that help people with disabilities live more independently.

A Few Good Reads to help you get there :?

• "Designing for Accessibility: A Business Guide to Countering the Exclusion of the Disabled" by Sarah Horton and Whitney Quesenbery
• A practical guide on designing accessible digital products.
• "The Design of Everyday Things" by Don Norman (While not solely about accessibility, this classic book offers essential insights into user-friendly design)
• "Inclusive Design Patterns" by Heydon Pickering (This book focuses on creating web experiences that are accessible to all users)
• "Disability Visibility: First-Person Stories from the Twenty-First Century" edited by Alice Wong

Are you already working in the accessibility space and have open opportunities that might benefit our Kommunity? DM our group admins and we will be sure to spread the word across on our #OpportunityFridayZ2E to help you find the best folks suited for the job!

We recently held an event featuring our alumnus Hunny Baghchandani, who shared insights on Jyoti AI—a groundbreaking project focused on accessibility! Sharing a few insights from his session below or by clicking here to watch the full video:

Whether you attended or not, we’d love to hear your takeaways. What inspired you? What ideas did you come away with? Share your thoughts, and let’s keep the conversation going!

Myth: “Designing for accessibility reduces your market size.”

Fact: When you design for accessibility, you’re expanding your market! By catering to a dual-use case—products that serve both disabled and non-disabled users—you reach more people and create more value. Think about it: many features designed for accessibility, like voice commands, are used by everyone. So, designing for accessibility isn’t just the right thing to do; it’s also smart business! Want to know how? Hear Prof Raj talk about it in the video here:

?That’s it for this edition of Z2E Kommunity Chronicles! ?

Remember, the key to innovation is empathy. Let’s keep exploring how we can make the world more inclusive for everyone. See you next time! Don’t forget to subscribe!

Looking to download this as a PDF? Click on the Word document and download it in your preferred language ? English