Problem statement
The lack of adapted spaces for people with disabilities limits their development and full participation in society, which contributes to a constant exclusion.
Description of the issue
Mobility and security represent a challenge in Latin America, especially for vulnerable groups such as people with visual disabilities. The lack of attention to inclusion proposals makes the autonomy of this sector in society harder to achieve by increasing inequalities.
Target group
Blind and visually impaired people located in the city of San Luis Potosí, S.L.P., Mexico (for the pilot period). Local government and enterprises to assure accessibility in public and private spaces.
Proposed solution
Creation and implementation of haptic products such as signage and maps for the location of necessary public and private spaces (e.g. schools, supermarkets and government offices) as well as material for raising awareness about the limitations of visual disability.
Hub's approach
This project is based on empathy and awareness. The re-adaptation of spaces has the goal of minimum effort with maximum impact, seeking that each area in which work is carried out impacts multiple people at the same time.
Hub activities for this project
The hub will be developed along 4 key areas:
- Strategic Alliances.
- Production.
- Administration.
- Education.
Within these pillars, members will have the chance to learn about ways in which we can create a more dignified state for the disabled community, while giving back with their own skills.
Actions to address the problem
Learn Braille and encourage its learning in the state, raise awareness about the challenges faced by the visually impaired community and share this through connections with agents of change in the city to then implement accessibility in strategic spaces.
Our goals
Short term: Create a strong consciousness in the community.
Mid-term: Implement haptic signages in high priority spaces such as local hospitals.
Long-term: Readapt leisure places such as museums and historic buildings churches, which are a pillar in our culture and regional tourism.
Outline the desired outcomes
We hope to have a pilot application aimed at the health sector in the city's Central Hospital. In this way, we will be able to evaluate the application of our proposals and generate modifications to achieve the maximum benefit for the users.
Metrics
- Number of implemented haptic products
- Number of people (for users and as promotion of inclusive spaces for the people without disability)
- Number of institutions or closed spaces impacted (e.g. schools)
- Percentage of accessible districts in the city.
Desired output and impact metrics
Number of hub members who received a sensitization and awareness workshop, work on prototypes to guarantee creation and implementation at a low price and number of people it will reach in the city, after having raised the proposal with IPACIDEVI.
Collaborators
IPACIDEVI (acronym in Spanish for “Institute For Blind And Visually Impaired People”) of San Luis Potosí, being the biggest educational and integral institution in the country for this disability.
Involved organizations
Tecnológico de Monterrey (ITESM) and IPACIDEVI.
Contacts: