Open AccessBuild Your Own Body Mod: Empowerment through Prototyping and Design
Author(s) -
Anaiss Arreola,
Make Just Right,
Katherine R. Ganim,
Born Just Right
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
journal of science education for students with disabilities
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1940-9923
pISSN - 1530-7859
DOI - 10.14448/jsesd.13.0007
Subject(s) - mindset , engineering design process , empowerment , computer science , process (computing) , engineering , engineering management , mechanical engineering , artificial intelligence , political science , law , operating system
When you don’t have a hand, what could you have instead? This article introduces the impact of inviting youth with disabilities to learn tools and technology to design their own solutions and advocate for their own future. This approach to programming is rooted in a mindset of designing WITH, not FOR. Not only are design outcomes improved when users are incorporated into the process, but this approach has been shown to improve confidence in creating one’s own solutions. These programs include hands-on “design-your-own-body-mod” workshops, as well as a budding inclusive design consultancy led by youth with disabilities. Through this programming, youth not only develop technical and cutting edge skills, confidence, and meaningful solutions, but they also develop a clearer understanding of design and engineering career paths and establish their own network of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM) professionals.