Herzfroh 2.0
Herzfroh 2.0 is a web-based application that provides educational resources on intimacy topics for adolescent students with cognitive and hearing impairments in an educational and care setting. The objective of the project is twofold: firstly, to enhance accessibility to educational materials and, secondly, to facilitate comprehension through the use of visualised stories. The research project is a collaboration between the University of Lucerne, Federal Centre of Health Education in Cologne and Herzfroh magazine.
Tools
Figma
Adobe XD
Photoshop
Role
Visual Designer
User Researcher
01
Problem Statement
Discussing intimate topics in a school environment can be difficult for students. This study aims to reduce these barriers, making it easier for students to access and use educational materials in their private lives. However, digitized educational materials often present significant challenges for students with cognitive and learning impairments, particularly in educational and care settings. To address this, the first step was to identify different learning behaviors and information processing patterns associated with learning impairments, ensuring the materials are accessible and tailored to their needs.
02
Research
Individuals with Down syndrome often face challenges in reading smaller texts and distinguishing fine details. Additionally, there is a 5–10% probability of developing epilepsy due to flickering lights and animations, making it essential to minimize such visual triggers.
Cognitive development in individuals with Down syndrome typically progresses faster than motor development until about five years of age, after which this trend reverses. To accommodate these needs, it is important to use clear, easily understandable wording.
For individuals with autism, visualizing emotions is generally easier, and maintaining a consistent layout is crucial to avoid causing uncertainty or confusion. Similarly, people with fragile X syndrome often struggle with memory, so reusing the same wording can support their ability to recall information effectively.
Lastly, incorporating a read-aloud function would be highly beneficial for users with visual impairments, enhancing accessibility and inclusivity.
03
Solution
A pedagogical concept has been formulated that facilitates the discovery of learning material through the medium of storytelling. The accessibility of the platform is enhanced by the provision of audio readings, catering to the needs of pupils facing challenges with reading comprehension. The platform provides teachers with the capability to upload learning materials in the form of homework or exercises, which can be completed digitally by the pupils. Concurrently, educators are able to monitor the completion of tasks by their pupils. The layout has been meticulously designed to ensure consistency, and the font sizes have been optimised to enhance readability and accessibility for all users.
04
Result
The project took place during the COVID-19 pandemic, which unfortunately led to the cancellation of usability tests with students with disabilities. As a result, the project remains a theoretical concept that would require extensive research and usability testing to validate its proof of concept. Despite these challenges, working on the project was both exciting and highly rewarding. I would have loved the opportunity to develop it further and fully explore its potential. Since then, the initiative has continued to evolve, undergoing significant changes from its original form.