12. Totally Not An Interview
As a part of my efforts to be sensitive about the issues people in wheelchairs face without being condescending, I reached out to a friend who shall not be named about their thoughts on the project. This person is someone who uses an electric wheelchair, who is also disability fit out specialist and interior designer, with specialisation in wayfinding. I'm trying very hard to sidestep the issue of ethics clearance, so I'll avoid any identifying characteristics of this person. Here's a rough transcript of our conversation which I've edited for clarity.
Me: So for my uni project, I want to make a desktop game that focuses on letting players have some insight into how life is with different disabilities. The main scenario I'm considering is a game where the user needs to navigate some busy city streets as a wheelchair user, and come across hurdles they might not have considered as an able-bodied person. Some examples I've thought of are things like ramps that are too steep, or someone parking their car across the ramp of a sidewalk so they're unable to cross a road. The first thing I want to ask is if you think people might find this distasteful? I know that it's not a game for people who rely on wheelchairs, it's a part of their lives.
Them: I think that thematically it's okay, but efficacy might be an issue, due to people not being fully immersed in it. Disability training in office spaces have moved away from having people blindfolded or having to move around in a wheelchair because it feels more like a novelty without any lasting impact. It's worth a shot though. If you could make it in VR that would be even better.
Me: I admit I hadn't really considered that. I'll try to keep impact in mind. What are some obstacles you've faced that you think I should include?
Them: Little things like the size of your wheels when coming into contact with potholes, "small" steps, grates. Moving between other vehicles is also tough, as well as trying to get onto public transport. The London tube is garbage haha. Weather can become a bigger challenge, as well as simple things like the size of handicapped toilets, or the height of counters for payment and information. ATMs (Automatic Teller Machines, otherwise know as Cash Machines) that are too short are annoying too. Those are just surface issues though. There are also psycho-social and psycho-geographical problems that need to be addressed if you want to have it not be a novelty.
Me: Wow, I'm really glad I reached out to you. My initial idea came out of this series of drawings, which made me realise how much I was taking for granted.
Them: Oh I love those images. You should definitely get in touch with this guy if it's part of your brief. Universal accessibility is a big issue, but I don't think we'll really see it until for a few more decades. Case studies for great cities are Nantes, France; and Melbourne, Australia.
Me: I've noticed something here that I never really see in Malaysia - self opening doors with the push pads. Do you find them helpful?
Them: Yes! Very much so! Provided the access pads are in the right place though. I've had experiences where the button is somewhere high or hard to maneuver around, and by the time I get back to the door they're closing.
Me: What are some other changes or designs that you've found helpful?
Them: Switches placed at lower heights, less steps in general, chair lifts, tube elevator implementation in older spaces, ramps everywhere (with the correct incline!) and BIG DOORS. Especially self-opening big doors. Back in uni some of the big automatic doors don't sense me because I'm too short and just refuse to open how stupid is that.
Me: Very.
Them: Any other questions or insights you need?
Me: Nah I'm good for now. I'm taking a look at these Game Accessibility Guidelines as a starting point for the game design. Any thoughts on that?
Them: Oh thanks for the link! That's new to me. Don't forget to check out the local building bylaws and disability act, they can help you with building codes and specifications for objects.
Me: Cool I'll check those out. Thanks so much for your help!
Them: No worries, let me know if you need anything else.
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So that was a very text-heavy post. Overall I'm really glad I got to talk to this person, and feel a little more confident moving forward with this project.
Me: So for my uni project, I want to make a desktop game that focuses on letting players have some insight into how life is with different disabilities. The main scenario I'm considering is a game where the user needs to navigate some busy city streets as a wheelchair user, and come across hurdles they might not have considered as an able-bodied person. Some examples I've thought of are things like ramps that are too steep, or someone parking their car across the ramp of a sidewalk so they're unable to cross a road. The first thing I want to ask is if you think people might find this distasteful? I know that it's not a game for people who rely on wheelchairs, it's a part of their lives.
Them: I think that thematically it's okay, but efficacy might be an issue, due to people not being fully immersed in it. Disability training in office spaces have moved away from having people blindfolded or having to move around in a wheelchair because it feels more like a novelty without any lasting impact. It's worth a shot though. If you could make it in VR that would be even better.
Me: I admit I hadn't really considered that. I'll try to keep impact in mind. What are some obstacles you've faced that you think I should include?
Them: Little things like the size of your wheels when coming into contact with potholes, "small" steps, grates. Moving between other vehicles is also tough, as well as trying to get onto public transport. The London tube is garbage haha. Weather can become a bigger challenge, as well as simple things like the size of handicapped toilets, or the height of counters for payment and information. ATMs (Automatic Teller Machines, otherwise know as Cash Machines) that are too short are annoying too. Those are just surface issues though. There are also psycho-social and psycho-geographical problems that need to be addressed if you want to have it not be a novelty.
Me: Wow, I'm really glad I reached out to you. My initial idea came out of this series of drawings, which made me realise how much I was taking for granted.
Them: Oh I love those images. You should definitely get in touch with this guy if it's part of your brief. Universal accessibility is a big issue, but I don't think we'll really see it until for a few more decades. Case studies for great cities are Nantes, France; and Melbourne, Australia.
Me: I've noticed something here that I never really see in Malaysia - self opening doors with the push pads. Do you find them helpful?
Them: Yes! Very much so! Provided the access pads are in the right place though. I've had experiences where the button is somewhere high or hard to maneuver around, and by the time I get back to the door they're closing.
Me: What are some other changes or designs that you've found helpful?
Them: Switches placed at lower heights, less steps in general, chair lifts, tube elevator implementation in older spaces, ramps everywhere (with the correct incline!) and BIG DOORS. Especially self-opening big doors. Back in uni some of the big automatic doors don't sense me because I'm too short and just refuse to open how stupid is that.
Me: Very.
Them: Any other questions or insights you need?
Me: Nah I'm good for now. I'm taking a look at these Game Accessibility Guidelines as a starting point for the game design. Any thoughts on that?
Them: Oh thanks for the link! That's new to me. Don't forget to check out the local building bylaws and disability act, they can help you with building codes and specifications for objects.
Me: Cool I'll check those out. Thanks so much for your help!
Them: No worries, let me know if you need anything else.
----------------------------------
So that was a very text-heavy post. Overall I'm really glad I got to talk to this person, and feel a little more confident moving forward with this project.
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