What if we could enable the visually impaired to give their own exams?
Typically they find themselves dependent on scribes who write their exams based on dictation
Design for Social Impact
Classroom Project, 2018
2 weeksIdentified Problem Area
Competitive exams for visually impaired candidates.
People with a non-"normal” range of abilities face a barrier to a lot of employment opportunities. They bring about a different skillset to the table that can be utilised for the benefit of all.
Course Brief
It was an open-ended, inclusivity oriented instruction set to help explore the possibilities of the state of technology and how it would assist people with varying needs.
My Role
As a student I was expected to explore varied domains and define a problem area. Once set I was to conduct research, identify intervention opportunities and prototype a solution. I had to make sure this would bring about valuable change for our users with a minimum learning curve. For this I stayed in close contact with one of the users throughout the process
Process
Secondary Research
Common Job Placements for visually impaired candidates
Music
Typing
Statistical Realities
1 out of every 38,000 selected
Applicant selection criteria
Nobody should have to work through odds like these
Interviews
Siddhesh, Scribe
“I have been asked by candidates to do the test by myself and to not ask them an answer that I already know because we had limited time.”
Adi Padad, Candidate
“If I can’t even give the exams by myself then post-job independence must be a lie.”
Contextual Inquiry
I found that all differently-abled candidates were dependent on “normal” people to write the exam for them since the test was not in a format consumable by them.
Analysis
I gathered mock papers of the SBI-PO exam and analysed the Q & A patterns
Math
English
Insight
Candidates Miss out on exams due to unforeseen problems and timings with scribes.
Formalities increased due to scribe verification.
The question and answer methodology are based on learning objectives for people without any special needs.
Ideation
Concept 1
Mock tests on the job
Mock environments marked and rated on the performance of each individual on job-related tasks in stipulated time.
Rejected due to the scale and expensive nature of the undertaking
Concept 2
Redefining the job profile
Redefining the duties of the differently-abled candidates such that they work to their strength. Eg. PR/Telephonic conversation.
Rejected due to course scope
Concept 3
Eliminating the scribe
Doing away with the scribes would reduce effort and load on candidates and allow them to focus on the content and their abilities will be truly put to the test.
Selected
Proposed journey
Yogesh V, Pearson Education
“The same questions need to be asked different to enable the differently-abled”
“The questions are set on the basis of the learning needs and outcomes as specified by the employer.
A change in what's asked would mean a change in the learning outcome and hence would not adhere to the requirements set.”
Restructuring Questions
1.Math
Original Question
571-863-427-654-912
If all the three digits of each of the numbers are multiplied together, the product of which of the following numbers will be the second-highest?
571
863
427
654
912
Problems
Redesigned Question
5718-6342-7654
If all the four digits of each of the numbers are multiplied together, the product of which of the following numbers will be the second-highest?
5718
6342
7654
Wins
2.English
Original Question
Select the correct option
We have hired an advertising agency to prepare a campaign to encourage people votes.
People from voting
voting for people
People to vote
Votes by people
No correction required
Problems
Redesigned Question
We have hired an advertising agency to prepare a campaign to encourage people votes.
We have hired an advertising agency to prepare a campaign to encourage voting for people
We have hired an advertising agency to prepare a campaign to encourage
people from votingWe have hired an advertising agency to prepare a campaign to encourage
people to vote
Wins
Only a few question types were taken into the scope of this project due to time constraints and to demonstrate the kind of changes that could be undertaken
Rapid Prototype
Wireframe
*Modelled in Fusion 360, rendered in Keyshot
A voice-enabled interactive walkthrough of the device was created to enable the candidate to know the options and have complete control over the interface.
Why Mobile?
Mobile is inclusive and democratic.
It is approachable and affordable. Hence, familiar to all.
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