From CheckMark to Mindset
Created by Jacky Marquardt & Camilo Lizarralde
Problem Statement
People with mobility disabilities are constantly struggling with transportation in NYC due to limited infrastructure, outdated systems, poorly maintained streets, and historical marginalization.
Primary Research
Methodology:
● Public space approach (Street, Parks, Bus) , 8 total interactions (wheelchair and abled-bodied users)
● Building on existing connections
● Organizations
● Survey, 21 participants
● Workshop, 4 participants
Friends/Family/Music Supporting well-being in the midst of mobility
Greater Challenge
Limited accessibility, lack of reliability, Impact on life quality, Dependence, Frustration, Isolation, Anger, ar.
Within the NYC design community, how might we change the current narrative and make accessibility a crucial Design Value?
Context
Nothing about us without us
-Disability rights activist James Charlton
The cost of incorporating accessibility features in new construction is <1%
Costs of accessibility design (when subsequently added)
US: 15-25%
Globally: 15%
Purchasing power of people with disabilities
Disability touches 73% of consumers globally*
*The American Institute for Research (AIR) report
409$ Billion 13$ Trillion in disposable income
(https://www.air.org/sites/default/files/2022-03/Hidden-Market-Spending-Power-of-People-with-Disabilities-April-2018.pdf)
Concept
● Campaign that drives attention and making visible the fact that making accessibility as checkbox tends to rise the cost of the design process due to redesign costs
● Use of compelling visual comparison to evidence design fails
● Direct messages “Make Accessibility a design value” “From checkbox to mindset” “this could be avoided”
● Accessibility Champion Program
GEN Z: Designers, Architects, Mobility and Urban Planners/Engineers
Why?
Future decision makers and creators
Behavior Change
1. Awareness: Be present where D/A/P&E spent time and gather information & inspiration
2. Call to action: Aimed at decision makers and creators
3. Harvest: Create a community of champions
Contact point
NYC Designers, Architects & Mobility and Urban Planners get their information from: Educational institutions, Magazines, Billboards, Instagram & Tik Tok Videos(>7h screen time), NYC Streets, Design blogs (Medium,Substack…)
https://www.apple.com/the-greatest/
https://disabilityisdiversity.com/billboard
https://www.tiktok.com/@casshuff/video/7320755642095111470?lang=en
https://www.instagram.com/p/CsrZ5aSvD5j/
https://www.instagram.com/p/CvVBR5wMnFe/
Milestones
1. Start & gain traction in social media (IG,TikTok)
Focus on hashtags like: #AccessMindset
Use additional hashtags: #disability #accessibility
#disabled #newnormal #wecare #futuresofcare
#accessibilitychampion
2. Billboards and street posters
3. Publish blog posts and advertise in design oriented publications
4. Provide tools and training for designers for them to be empowered to design for accessibility
