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SignBridge Employment

IOS Mobile app

A Mobile App Bridging Deaf Clients with their Hard-of-Hearing, Deaf and/or Hearing Job Coaches at the workplace.

Role
Product Designer

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Category
Employment Services

When
Apr 2024 - May 2024

Starting a new job can be fun but stressful. Imagine not being able to hear the instructions needed to do your job or important news is being discussed and you have no idea whats going on. Pretty frustrating huh?

SignBridge Employment guides Deaf clients who face unique communication challenges in the workplace, often relying on interpreters or written communication to interact with hearing colleagues and supervisors. Job coaches, typically both hearing and deaf individuals, play a crucial role in bridging this communication gap by providing advocacy, training, and assistance in navigating the job market.

INTRO

To address this challenge, a mobile app has been developed to facilitate seamless communication between deaf clients and their hard-of-hearing, deaf and/or hearing job coaches, ensuring they can stay in contact for work-related purposes effortlessly.

After doing a bit of research, I discovered there is not a user experience out there that caters to job coaches and their clients. There are only speech-to-text apps that are semi-helpful.

OUR CHALLENGE

Keep it simple

PROJECT GOALS

With the mobile app created, the goals to meet the user needs are the following.

  1. Facilitating real-time communication: The app enables instant messaging and video calls, allowing deaf clients and job coaches to communicate effortlessly, regardless of their location or time zone.

  2. Providing accessibility features: The app incorporates accessibility features such as text-to-speech and speech-to-text functionalities, ensuring that both deaf and hearing users can engage in conversations effectively.

  3. Streamlining job-related tasks: The app offers features for scheduling appointments with their job coach for work related sessions, and sharing documents or resources relevant to the job.

  4. Promoting empowerment and independence: By facilitating direct communication between deaf clients and job coaches, the app empowers individuals to advocate for their needs, seek support when necessary, and take proactive steps towards achieving their employment goals.

USER RESEARCH

Key Research Insights

In order to build realistic user stories, I surveyed 10 people, aged between 22 to 52, who are deaf and/or hard of hearing and work either part-time or full-time. The questions focused about communication at the work site. Main takeaways:

  • All ten said they had experience communication barriers at the work place

  • Seven said they are interested in using a mobile app specifically designed to facilitate communication

  • Three said they currently have a job coach assisting them at the job site

Pain Points

Communication Barriers Exist: Deaf clients face difficulties in understanding verbal instructions, announcements, and discussions in the workplace such as training sessions due to their hearing impairment. This can lead to misunderstandings, errors in tasks, and feelings of isolation.

Documents: Translation of work related forms and documents. Deaf individuals struggle to understand written documents especially those for work related purposes

Visits: Scheduling onsite visits with their job coaches is a struggle, causing important work related issues to be missed and making the client feel isolated and not perform to his or hers top potential

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After all the research was concluded, the mobile app started to come to light starting with some sketches on paper and followed by a final ideation in Figma.

From scribbles to prototypes

IDEATE

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USABILITY

Testing

User testing and feedback iterations were conducted to refine the app's usability and accessibility.

CHANGE #1

Calendar

The overall view of the calendar was not fluid, users felt overwhelmed and preferred something with a easy to view calendar

New calendar view

CHANGE #2

Add + new pet

There was a need to add a new pet directly from the records page. Added a new pet button for a easy new registration

+ Add new pet option

Pawsy Pet Haven project was to create a pet registration form and dashboard. It’s user friendly process makes it easy for the target users to complete

FINAL SOLUTIONS

Pawsy Pet Haven

Add new pet, simple side form

Form straight from the registration tab

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The mobile app serves as a valuable tool in bridging the communication gap between deaf clients and hearing job coaches, facilitating a more inclusive and supportive environment in the employment sector. By leveraging technology to enhance communication and collaboration, the app empowers individuals with hearing disabilities to pursue their career aspirations with confidence and independence

Outcomes

Adoption Rate: By streamlining the registration process and providing real-time insights through the dashboard, we anticipate an increase in the adoption rate of shelter animals.

User Engagement: The user-friendly design of the registration form and dashboard aims to increase user engagement, as reflected in the number of completed registrations and interactions with the dashboard features.

Operational Efficiency: With the implementation of real-time monitoring and efficient record-keeping, we aim to improve operational efficiency within the animal shelter, reducing administrative overhead and time spent on manual processes.

Project summary

Making a pet registration form and dashboard is a big deal because it makes adopting pets easier and encourages responsible ownership. The dashboard gives us real-time updates, helping us take better care of our shelter animals. It's not just about paperwork; it's about creating a community that cares for our furry friends.

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