WEEK 5: INCLUSIVE DESIGN Online Instruction
Inclusive Design to Inspire & Empower
We're almost to the end of this difficult and crazy semester as we enter our fifth and final week of CORE 1929 online instruction. I hope you are all well and taking care of yourselves to get through this final week of classes.
This week we are going to focus on some much needed stories of inspiration and empowerment. These are stories about individuals who have changed lives and the quality of life for themselves and others by advocating for and practicing inclusive design in their professional and personal lives. They are positive change makers who have embraced design to change the world.
This week we are going to focus on some much needed stories of inspiration and empowerment. These are stories about individuals who have changed lives and the quality of life for themselves and others by advocating for and practicing inclusive design in their professional and personal lives. They are positive change makers who have embraced design to change the world.
1. Let's Get Started
Be a Mr. Jenson
In this first story we will meet Clint and Mr. Jenson and learn how a single moment in time can change a person's life.
“When we help friends, team members, students, and co-workers to become more of who they already are – retention improves, sales increase, academic success soars and your people win...Be a Mr. Jensen!"
Be the best for the world. You're not a problem, you're something else you may have not discovered yet.
“When we help friends, team members, students, and co-workers to become more of who they already are – retention improves, sales increase, academic success soars and your people win...Be a Mr. Jensen!"
Be the best for the world. You're not a problem, you're something else you may have not discovered yet.
2. Wilson Smith & Designing for Diversity
Next we'll meet Wilson W. Smith III who is a Design Director at Nike, Inc. in the Center of Design Excellence, (CoDE,) in Academic Outreach and Talent Development.
What has consistently defined Wilson is his incredible passion around coaching, teaching and giving back. Whether serving as innovation lead for N7, aiding recovery efforts in Haiti, serving as an adjunct professor at the U of O or leading projects for the Better World Team or Nike's Ability Network, Wilson's commitment to the next generation of designers and the power of design to positively impact the world has created a presence and legacy that will only grow stronger.
Wilson has been honored as one of America's top African-American designers by Black Enterprise magazine.
What has consistently defined Wilson is his incredible passion around coaching, teaching and giving back. Whether serving as innovation lead for N7, aiding recovery efforts in Haiti, serving as an adjunct professor at the U of O or leading projects for the Better World Team or Nike's Ability Network, Wilson's commitment to the next generation of designers and the power of design to positively impact the world has created a presence and legacy that will only grow stronger.
Wilson has been honored as one of America's top African-American designers by Black Enterprise magazine.
3. Grace Jun & Designing for a Inclusive and Considered Future
In our next story we'll meet Grace Jun, a social entrepreneur and designer who creates innovative garments for individuals with disabilities. Her design thinking is underpinned by an altruistic consideration for the entire population. She designs clothing that is comfortable, stylish, and functional for people with disabilities, not limited to aging or injury.
“If we’re going to be designing for the future, shouldn’t we be challenging ourselves to design beyond human augmentation?” asks Jun, “And not just restoring it, as we see in many cases for assistive tech or medical products.”
During her time at Samsung Electronics and the Parsons School of Design, Jun started researching the shortcomings of fashion and its lack of consideration for those living with long term illness or physical impairment. She identified that not having accommodating clothing options has been a barrier for not only people living with disabilities but also those who have sustained injury or are recovering from surgery.
Jun’s exploration of the subject eventually led her to Open Style Lab, an organization that shared her passion for accessible clothing, for which she now serves as Executive Director.
“If we’re going to be designing for the future, shouldn’t we be challenging ourselves to design beyond human augmentation?” asks Jun, “And not just restoring it, as we see in many cases for assistive tech or medical products.”
During her time at Samsung Electronics and the Parsons School of Design, Jun started researching the shortcomings of fashion and its lack of consideration for those living with long term illness or physical impairment. She identified that not having accommodating clothing options has been a barrier for not only people living with disabilities but also those who have sustained injury or are recovering from surgery.
Jun’s exploration of the subject eventually led her to Open Style Lab, an organization that shared her passion for accessible clothing, for which she now serves as Executive Director.
4. Love LEGOS For Empowerment
The next couple of stories are about how creative and innovative thinkers have used LEGO bricks to change their lives and the lives of others. #RebuildTheWorld #RebuilderStories
How I Built My Prosthetic Arm With LEGO Bricks
David Aguilar built his own working prosthetic arm – from LEGO bricks. The genius engineering student was born without a right forearm, but now makes his own prosthetics using the creative power of LEGO bricks. This is his amazing story.
What Happens When You Bring LEGO Bricks to a Retirement Home
Kitty Short is a teacher who found that wonderful things can happen when you bring LEGO bricks into a retirement home. LEGO bricks + retirement home = pure happiness!
German Grandma Builds Wheelchair Ramps From Lego
HANAU, Germany (Reuters) - Faced with rows of inaccessible shops and cafes, wheelchair user Rita Ebel has devised a low-tech high-fun solution - ramps made of Lego.
“For me it is just about trying to sensitize the world a little bit to barrier-free travel,” Ebel said in the German town of Hanau. She has been using a wheelchair since she was involved in a car accident 25 years ago.
“Anyone could suddenly end up in a situation that puts them in a wheelchair, like it did me,” the 62-year-old grandmother said.
Helped by her husband, Ebel often spends two to three hours a day building the made-to-order ramps which contain several hundred of the small plastic bricks stuck together with up to eight tubes of glue.
“For me it is just about trying to sensitize the world a little bit to barrier-free travel,” Ebel said in the German town of Hanau. She has been using a wheelchair since she was involved in a car accident 25 years ago.
“Anyone could suddenly end up in a situation that puts them in a wheelchair, like it did me,” the 62-year-old grandmother said.
Helped by her husband, Ebel often spends two to three hours a day building the made-to-order ramps which contain several hundred of the small plastic bricks stuck together with up to eight tubes of glue.
> Small Group Discussion for Week Five
Who is your "Mr. Jensen?" Your final week of discussion is going to pretty simple, but intended to really get you to reflect about yourself and the people in your lives who have influenced you, supported you, and helped you to discover who you are and the talents and abilities you have. Those that have been the best in your world.
This can be a family member, friend, teacher, coach, or anyone. It can also be someone you may have met and known for a relatively short time, but still had a major impact on empowering you as an individual.
In your initial post, share your personal story and then engage with each other about who you "Mr. Jenson" is, and how "single moments in time" have changed your lives.
This can be a family member, friend, teacher, coach, or anyone. It can also be someone you may have met and known for a relatively short time, but still had a major impact on empowering you as an individual.
In your initial post, share your personal story and then engage with each other about who you "Mr. Jenson" is, and how "single moments in time" have changed your lives.