Author: Jane Bringolf

Co-designing organisational change

Co-designing with users is gaining momentum and being applied in many different situations. Participatory Action Research is familiar to academics and now the concepts are underpinning collaborative methods in different fields of endeavour. Co-designing organisational change is a good way to bring everyone on board.

Hospitals are large bureaucratic enterprises comprising staff from varied backgrounds and skill sets. Add in the diversity of patients and visitors and we can see the difficulty of pleasing most, let alone all stakeholders.

A CT scanner with two medical staff one each side of the patient undergoing the scan process. The image has a blue hue.

Organisational change is a complex process that requires all parties to agree to change. To overcome some of this complexity, Australian researchers used arts-based research methods and arts-based knowledge translation. Their paper outlines the steps in the process and includes some of the participants’ drawings. Workshops, photovoice, photography and digital narratives all had a part to play.

From the conclusion

Both the co-design workshop and visual methods provided opportunities to connect people in an honest and respectful dialogue. System change must engage, educate, support and connect people. Transforming a system is really about transforming relationships between people who make up the system.

Too often organisations, groups, and individuals work on the same problem but work in isolation from each other. Bringing people together is the way to create a positive impact for change.

The arts-based design thinking processes provided a visual mechanism to explore creative solutions. It provided a place for clinicians and consumers to connect and discuss the proposed change strategies. The visual methods enabled time for reflection and then new conversations about care practices emerged.

The title of the article is, The Art of Transformation: Enabling Organisational Change in Healthcare Through Design Thinking, Appreciative Inquiry, and Creative Arts-Based Visual Storytelling.

From the abstract

This chapter tells the story of a complex organisational change to a healthcare service. It is about splitting rehabilitation functions across two hospitals in the same region. The design project was to help healthcare providers from both hospitals reach an understanding of the strengths that each hospital provided to its patients. One was a large metropolitan hospital, and the other a small hospital in a rural area.

Arts-based design methods were used. They included workshops, journey maps, and photovoice experiences from both providers and consumers. The team were able to help the rehabilitation service providers see the value of the organisational change and the potential benefits in the new service.

Co-design in healthcare

Health care is a service and like any service, you want the best for your customers. Customer feedback is common with most services, but knowing the problems after the event is not very effective. The first step is setting up a process that is going to get the most useful design decisions. That means co-designing from the very beginning including co-designing the research method.

Entrance to the emergency section of a hospital.. Co-design in health care.

An inclusive design approach means listening

A Canadian study documents the process of using an inclusive design approach to design the study. As a report of the process the paper necessarily includes many stories from participants. These stories are rich in information not limited by survey or interview formats and questions. It is up to the listener or researcher to guide these experiences into practical solutions.

The methods in this study are applicable to any public service, such as transport or education.

Storytelling and research design

Storytelling often goes beyond describing the immediate barriers and difficulties in using a service to reveal the impact on a person’s life.

“The inclusive design approach to the study was not rigid because inclusive design is about diversity, variability and complexity.”

A young man enters the therapy room. He is using Canadian crutches. He is shaking hands with the therapist

Design exercises

The study reports on three options for design exercises:

Option One: co-designers talk about any part of the health care service that needs re-design. Then the group imagines a future where the barrier no longer exists.

Option Two: co-designers discuss their own or another’s experience during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Option 3: co-designers use the research centre’s “virtuous tornado” exercise. The virtuous tornado is a diagram with three circles, In the centre is the statement, “Like and Use”. The next ring has the statement “Don’t like or have difficulty using”. The outer ring has the statement “Can’t Use”. See the diagram below.

Three rings of a circle indicating the three statements.

Figure 1 from the report with the three options for activities

The title of the article is, Co-Design as Applied to Accessibility in Health Care, and comes from researchers based in Canada.

Preferences for shared space design

Pedestrians and cyclists sharing space is based on the idea of everyone being socially responsible. It’s expected that whoever is present in the space will politely negotiate the right of way. That’s because there are few, if any traffic controls, barriers or road markings. More recently, shared space has come under scrutiny because some pedestrians avoid such routes. So what are the preferences for shared space design? Researchers in Germany used a video-based survey to find out.

Shared space revolves around integrating different road users into a common physical space. 408 participants evaluated different case designs and considered the placement of street furniture. Image of a street in Frankfurt, Germany.

A street in Frankfurt Germany with old and new buildings, a wide footpath with bollards on the kerbside and bike racks on one side of the road.

For some people who do not drive or own a car, a bike is a good way to get around. However, everyone needs to feel safe. Safety is all down to perception and that’s why dedicated lanes for pedestrians, bikes and cars is the optimum.

The title of the article is, Exploring pedestrian and cyclist preferences for shared space design: A video-based online survey. There’s a lot of detail in this paper.

From the abstract

This paper explores the preferences of pedestrians and cyclists for shared space design. It looks at configurations that emphasise the sense of place, integration, and informal segregation. In an online survey, 408 participants experienced videos of virtual environments with different designs. They were asked to assess various attributes and their influence on the perception of the space and crossing behaviour.

The results indicate that pedestrians and cyclists do favour similar attributes and space configurations. Both find motor vehicles undesirable, but they hold a positive view of the central placement of design elements and protective barriers.

Do Bike Lanes Slow Traffic?

Compared to many other countries, Australia has a low rate of bike riding. Researchers from Swinburne and Melbourne universities decided to check out the issue of cycling infrastructure. That’s because cities that prioritise cycling infrastructure have higher rates of people cycling. But there is community resistance to this infrastructure with comments such as bike lanes slow traffic

The researchers used a modelling technique to find out if retrofitting separate bike lanes into residential streets slowed traffic. When done well, it increased car travel times by 7%. Cycling times increased marginally due to avoiding streets without bike lanes.

Two street images showing bike lanes for cyclists, pedestrian footpaths and a roadway.

Images from the article. Cycle lanes are narrow (less than 0.6 m wide) with no physical separation by a concrete kerb. (left) Kensington and (right) Collins Street Melbourne.

Reduction in vehicle speeds are another key factor, but this alone does not prevent traffic injuries for cyclists. Running into car doors due to poor separation is the reason for most accidents. Safe and separated cycling lanes are good for pedestrians too, especially those who fear shared paths.

The title of the article is, Do Safe Bike Lanes Really Slow Down Cars? A Simulation-Based Approach to Investigate the Effect of Retrofitting Safe Cycling Lanes on Vehicular Traffic. There is much more to this research project to digest.

From the abstract

Cycling is a sustainable transportation mode that provides many health, economic and environmental benefits. Cities with high rates of cycling can better address challenges of densification, and carbon-neutral goals. Participation rates in Australian cities are critically low and declining.

This low participation rate is often attributed to the dangers of Australian cycle infrastructure that mixes cyclists with car traffic. Residents of car-dependent Australian suburbs are resistant to the installation of cycle infrastructure. That’s because they are perceived as a threat to traffic flow and less on-street parking.

This low participation rate is often attributed to the dangers of Australian cycle infrastructure that mixes cyclists with car traffic. Residents of car-dependent Australian suburbs are resistant to the installation of cycle infrastructure. This is because they are perceived as a threat to traffic flow and less on-street parking.

We investigated the effects on traffic behaviour of retrofitting safe, separate cycling lanes into existing residential streets in a Melbourne suburb. We utilised only the widths available on the existing roadway of these streets.

Travel demand was modelled using travel demand that suits suburban trips to services and shops. We also selectively applied separate cycling lanes to suitable residential streets and varied the effect of lowering speed limits.

Simulations showed at worst case the selective inclusion of safe cycling lanes leads to a 7% increase in the average car travel times. And cyclists only increase their travel distance marginally to avoid streets without dedicated cycling lanes.

Going beyond teaching “awareness”

Teaching inclusion using awareness raising techniques was thought to be the way to go. And yes it did raise some awareness, but it was rarely translated to their work in real life. This is partly because it is taught as a sideline and not integral to the course from beginning to end. Researchers in the US wondered if going beyond teaching awareness would improve matters.

The research questions were: Did students who learned inclusive design act to make inclusive software? How did inclusivity manifest in student projects, if at all?

A computer screen in black showing coding text in red, green, yellow and white.

The bottom line to this research is that the ways in which inclusion appeared in projects was higher and bias was reduced. There were fewer reports of inclusivity bugs and higher inclusivity ratings. So going beyond teaching awareness worked for this group.

Although this project was based on a computing science program, the implications are positive for other design disciplines. Teaching inclusive design across the curriculum can impact students beyond heightening awareness. It encourages them to act upon this new understanding by designing technology that serves a wider spectrum of society.

The title of the article is Beyond “Awareness”: If We Teach Inclusive Design, Will Students Act On it?. It includes examples of the students’ work.

From the abstract

Motivation: Many university computer science (CS) programs have begun teaching various types of CS-related societal issues. They use approaches such as ethics, Responsible CS, inclusive design, and more. Although these programs have been able to teach awareness, students often fail to act upon this awareness. To address this problem, University X’s CS program tried an unusual approach. That is, integrating hands-on inclusive design skills in small ways across all four years of the CS major. But did it work? That is, did the students who experienced this change actually build more inclusive technology than students who did not experience it?

Objectives: This paper aims to answer this through addressing two research questions. (RQ1): Did students who learned inclusive design across the curriculum act to create more inclusive software? (RQ2): How did inclusivity (or lack thereof) manifest in students’ projects?

Method: To investigate these RQs, we conducted a case study of 22 term-long CS projects built by 22 teams consisting of a total of 92 3rd- and 4th-year CS students. Half of the student teams had experienced courses that had integrated inclusive design and the other half had not. The inclusive design elements University X taught were those of the GenderMag inclusive design method. So evaluating the students’ term-long projects was done by GenderMag experts—industry-experienced UX and Software professionals with real-world GenderMag experience.

Results: The inclusiveness of students’ projects was higher Post-GenderMag, with fewer reports of inclusivity bugs and higher inclusivity ratings. Experts’ evaluations also revealed the ways in which bias (e.g. bias against risk-averse users) and inclusion (e.g. inclusion of users with diverse information processing styles) appeared in students’ projects.

Pedestrians: Are guidelines inclusive?

Do footpath and crossing retrofits actually encourage walking for all people? Are guidelines inclusive of all potential walkers (and wheelers)? Are planners using statistical modelling to guide retrofit decisions. Or are they using the lived experience of pedestrians? New research offers insights into how to improve current guidelines for pedestrians.

Three New Zealand researchers decided to check out the walkability characteristics of crossings to provide insights for retrofits. Then they looked at whether local design guidelines were providing appropriate advice.

Research highlights are:

• Encouraging walking requires addressing experienced barriers.

•We objectively characterised pedestrian crossings perceived as barriers to walking.

• We compared characteristics with local design guidelines and Healthy Streets.

•Technical documents not specific enough to inform retrofit.

A red traffic sign in a street saying stop. Beneath the red sign is a yellow sign with a black stick person indicating a pedestrian on a crossing.

The 56 interview participants were aged 20 to 89 years and living in Auckland. Almost half had some difficulty with either walking, seeing, hearing, or remembering. They reported the attributes that made walking trips difficult or unpleasant, or discouraged them from walking.

Non-signalised crossings were the most frequent barrier mentioned and would fail the Healthy Streets Check assessment. Tight cornering radii, complexity, traffic volumes and speed were also factors in making walking difficult or unpleasant. The authors explain more about this in their article.

Guidelines – how useful are they for inclusive planning?

Guidelines mostly focus on best practice, naming all the aspects that should ideally be in place for a “walkable” environment. However, aspects that could be perceived as barriers are absent from the guidelines. For planners, knowing what to improve first makes for a difficult decision process.

The title of the study is, Pedestrian crossings: Design recommendations do not reflect users’ experiences in a car-dominated environment in Auckland, New Zealand Highlights.

From the abstract

Pedestrian crossings are a key feature both in terms of risk of road trauma and impacts on pedestrian experience. In car-dominated environments, retrofitting existing infrastructure to enable and encourage walking is a challenge. It is unclear what difficulties people experience and whether current design guidelines encompass these.

This study aims to provide a real-world perspective on local design guidelines and the Healthy Streets metrics. We use objective measures of the built environment and users’ perceptions of unfeasibility or difficulty.

Interview participants considered non-signalised crossing points as barriers to access. The Healthy Streets metrics are not set up to enable cities to easily identify these difficult crossings.

These findings provide information needed to improve local guidelines and Healthy Streets metrics to enable them to support proactive retrofit.

Equal access to sport information

Enthusiasm for sport is often mentioned as a very “Australian thing”. Television news, social media and online newspapers rarely go a day without mentioning one sport or another. But is this information provided in ways that everyone can enjoy and understand? Sierra Morabito wants to see equal access to sport information – there are people who would like to read about it but can’t.

Equal access to sport information means people need easy to read information on:

  • the rules to play sport
  • where they can play and join up
  • other ways to get involved
  • when and where to watch a game
  • stories about players
  • news about the favourite team
A woman wearing a yellow top with the number 14 on the back is holding a ball under her arm.

The examples above show how easy it is to leave people out without realising. Information about sport is not just reading stories – low literacy prevents participation. If people need to use a website their literacy skills are challenged even further.

Morabito’s advice is to provide hard copy information in Easy English and leave them in places where people go. Shopping centres, council buildings, and community centres are just three ideas. A contact phone number is essential – so much easier than emails.

Understanding sport rules

People with low literacy will worry about learning the rules if they cannot read them. Write the key points in Easy English – everyone likes a straightforward version. There is more on this topic in Morabito’s article.

Global Accessibility Awareness Day

People who can’t use the internet or complex digital tools are being left behind. This issue is often mentioned in our increasingly digital world, but is anyone taking notice? Everyone has the right to equal access to information and resources. However, this means providing information in different formats. According to Cathy Basterfield, we are talking about nearly two thirds of all Australian adults.

Information needs to be provided in different formats to suit different skill levels. It means designing for users who can’t: 

  • navigate two-factor authentication
  • understand how to use a one-time access code
  • read a letter or an email
Graphic of a man with glasses and a beard. He is leaning on the desk with his head in his had and looking very unhappy. His laptop is open on the desk.

And it also means making websites that work for all users – that is, those who can use it. More than 95% of high ranked websites don’t meet the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines – the global standard for people with disability. And that’s just their home page. 

A website is not accessible if a user has to click through six levels to find the information they need. Or if they have to navigate an intricate system, and deal with things that flash, blink or scroll. Add to that the people with low literacy skills and the number of excluded people starts to add up. 

See the article in Medium titled, Global Accessibility Awareness day. for more information on this topic.

Social media meme. Text across top. Think online means everyone? 1 in 4 Aussies are not connected. Text across bottom. Access Easy English www.readEE.com.au. Image in middle 3 people standing together with wifi symbol over their heads. 4th man in shadow working away with empty wifi image. Equal access to information?

Dementia and empowering environments

A new open access book is a must for anyone interested in design with and for people with dementia. “Creating Empowering Environments for People with Dementia” is exactly what the book is about. It addresses inclusive design both inside and outside the home, including agricultural settings.

The book features the voices and opinions of people living with dementia. The chapters showcase individual homes, public spaces, landscapes and urban design. Care homes and special dementia facilities are also featured.

The focus is on person centred design that enables and empowers, and includes cultural differences in people’s needs. That means co-design.

Front cover of the book Creating Empowering Environments for people with dementia. A green band top and bottom with black text on a white backgrouns.

A book for built environment practitioners and researchers in the fields of gerontology.

Chapter topics

Part 2 is titled “People with dementia are central to the design process”. It is about people with dementia being at the core of environmental design. A co-design approach to both home and neighbourhood design is essential in this context. People with dementia have a voice and know what they need.

Part 3 is about neighbourhoods. It includes chapters on public organisations, transport systems and spaces, and participatory health research. Toilets are a key feature for inclusive design, both newbuilds and refurbishments.

Part 4 has two chapters on hospital design, and Part 5 covers care home design. There is an interesting chapter on “care farms”. Not everyone with dementia lives in the city so some people respond well to an agricultural care setting.

The book is open access on ResearchGate and also from Taylor and Francis Group.

From the introduction

This edited volume addresses the environments that exacerbate, exclude, and stigmatise those living with dementia to explore designs and processes that can optimise well‑being and independence.

An older man sits with his back to the camera in a cafe. Empowering environments.

Featuring the voices and opinions of people with dementia, the chapters showcase individual homes, special dementia facilities, different forms of care homes, and public spaces, from landscape to urbanism, as examples of how to meet the needs and preferences of those living with dementia now.

This book demonstrates a range of research methods that can be used to inform and investigate good co‑design of dementia‑enabling environments. Furthermore, the book addresses cultural differences in people’s needs and illustrates past, ongoing, and novel initiatives worldwide.

Ultimately, this timely volume focuses on person‑centred design that enables empowerment, quality of life, health, and citizenship in people living with dementia. It will be of value to researchers, scholars, and postgraduate students studying gerontology, dementia specifically, and those involved with architecture and the built environment for societal benefit more broadly.

Urban design for mental health

Is having urban green space enough to make a difference? That’s a question posed by researchers in Brazil. They wanted to find out whether the quality of nearby green spaces and nature has a positive impact on mental wellbeing. They found that the longer people spent in natural environments, the more their wellbeing improved. However, any green space is not enough – the quality of the space is the key. It also has to be accessible, safe, and welcoming.

The title of the article is, Is Having Urban Green Space in the Neighborhood Enough to Make a Difference? Insights for Healthier City Design.

A young woman and man are walking their dog in an urban park.

From the abstract

This study delves into whether simply having urban green space in the neighborhood is enough to significantly impact residents’ mental well-being. Most research overlooks the suitability of green spaces for recreational use, limiting urban planning strategies. Recent findings highlight the multifaceted benefits of green spaces, such as improved sleep and lower blood pressure.

Although research in developed nations highlights the mental health benefits of green spaces, similar studies are lacking in developing countries. The socio-economic and environmental contexts in the Global South differ significantly from those in developed nations.

This study hypothesizes that accessibility to urban green space with suitable infrastructure for physical activities, leisure or recreation, provides more significant benefits. The aim is to deepen the understanding of the role of UGS in promoting mental health and to guide the creation of urban environments conducive to well-being.

The Ageing City and mental health

Front cover of the Urban Design and Mental Health Journal, Aging City Edition.Walkability has been the focus of good public spaces to encourage physical health. However, the recent pandemic increased our awareness of the need for urban design for mental health. The Aging City Edition of the Journal of Urban Design and Mental Health looks at the dimension of cognitive decline. Here’s what’s in the 7th edition of this academic publication:

The Editorial focuses on the need for new directions in interdisciplinary research. 

Dementia-friendly neighbourhoods is about the methodological challenges and opportunities. 

The role of green spaces in preventing cognitive decline calls for “research-by-design”.

Older residents’ mental health status is compared in suburbs versus traditional neighbourhoods is compared to find key design solutions. 

Case studies include Guy Luscombe’s Age n Dem Toolkit, the role of community square dancing in China, and a look at design culture to to empower older people. City Case Studies are Lagos and Sydney. 

Although this is an academic journal, the research and findings provide direction for urban planners and support the need for more pedestrian friendly neighbourhoods. 

Urban planning and Coronavirus

Aerial view of a major intersection in the Melbourne CBD.The daily disadvantage of marginalised groups is more clearly revealed as others fall into the ranks of disadvantage during this pandemic.  A discussion paper from Berkeley argues that this current pandemic is an opportunity to consider similar urban health reforms that followed previous epidemics. Promoting inclusive and healthy cities for all is the bottom line in this thoughtful discussion.

The discussion paper takes the perspective of people with functional limitations. For many people worldwide, disability is about health, human rights, and poverty. It’s an urban development issue and time to move from the medical model to the social model of disability. Also discussed are how people with disability are left out of economic responses, such as one-off support payments, and not included in planning to prevent future crises.

The authors provide recommendations for how this pandemic can best support people with disability and how this makes cities healthier for all. They warn that pandemics also run the risk of exacerbating further marginalisation through racism and segregation. The abstract below is the essence of the paper.

The title of the paper is, Disability, Urban Health Equity, and the Coronavirus Pandemic: Promoting Cities for All. 

Systemic Design Toolkit

The Design Council in the UK has built on its Double Diamond framework to take design thinking another step forward. The Double Diamond is about divergent and convergent thinking. The Toolkit adds “invisible activities” such as connections, relationships and storytelling. The Systemic Design Toolkit is a methodology for dealing with complex challenges. Although this toolkit and framework are about addressing the climate emergency, the elements, processes, and actions are applicable to any design issue.

Image shows the Double Diamond graphic surrounded by the Toolkit concepts.

The key is the “invisible activities”. Connections, relationships and storytelling are fundamental to co-design and co-creation processes.

The toolkit is set of tools that help designers think more systematically. Therefore, it is not a detailed manual of design basics such as user research and prototyping. And it is not a set of tools tailored to a specific design discipline. It draws on research with designers working in different disciplines.

Systemic change requires a thoughtful design process across government, business and other influential organisations. Systemic change is about tackling the structures and beliefs that underpin the challenge. With so many complex challenges facing all of us, we need to start thinking in different ways. That’s why the Design Council have created the systemic design framework.

Being inclusive and welcoming difference is about creating safe shared spaces. It’s also about having a language to welcome multiple and marginalised perspectives. This creates better outcomes. Image: the characteristics of changemakers from the Design Council.

A red background for four graphics representing: Connector and Convenor, Leader and Storyteller, Designer and Maker, and System Thinker. These are the characteristics of Changemakers.

The introductory webpage has a video that nicely explains the basics and the thinking behind the toolkit and the different elements. As with all Design Council resources, it is carefully designed and presented. There are other supporting resources to go with the toolkit.

Brisbane 2032: A Game Changer?

What can be learned from previous Games experiences? An article in ABC News discusses a report by Queenslanders with Disability Network (QDN) titled Game Changers. The report examined five past sporting events to see what can be learned from them. Employment of people with disability is a key focus of this report.

The Brisbane 2032 legacy committee chair Grace Grace said she’s committed to creating a “transformational legacy” for people with a disability. Image from the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games opening ceremony.

A wide angle view of the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Games showing lots of vibrant colours shining out against the night sky.

The Game Changers report analyses past sporting events and the legacy they left behind. There were many missed opportunities to create a positive legacy for people with disability. Plans need accessibility and inclusion embedded now, not one year before the event.

The Gold Coast Commonwealth Games was the largest para-sport program in Games history. However, there were many issues for athletes and spectators with disability. One of the main issues was the lack of accessible transport and venues. Volunteers and staff lacked appropriate training. Their language and implied indifference disregarded human differences.

The Commonwealth Games did create more accessible infrastructure and tourism. Athletes with and without disability were also competing side-by-side in events. This meant that their was equitable treatment on and off the field.

Employment

Legacy planning for inclusive employment means involving people with disability in the early planning. Media presenters and journalists with disability are capable of working on both Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The report has three recommendations for the employment of people with disability so that by:

2028: Foundations laid to improve employment outcomes during the Games.

2032: the Brisbane Games have set and achieved clear and measurable targets for employment, procurement, and volunteering.

2042: more opportunity for meaningful employment within a connected and supportive employment ecosystem.

A statement of Brisbane 2032 as the Olympic and Paralympic Games Host with the Olympic rings and with red blue and green swipe shapes.

The title of article is, How Brisbane’s 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games can learn from the past to create a legacy for people with a disability.

Crisis planning by co-design

Floods and fires are a regular occurrence in Australia. However, they are happening more frequently and with more intensity. While there are standards for building evacuations and fire risk management, these were developed without thought for all citizens. And when people need to evacuate to a communal place of safety, there is no guarantee it will be accessible. Crisis planning requires input from all stakeholders and that includes community members.

Researchers in Sweden ran a workshop with stakeholders on crisis planning. One idea was to have practise events so that community members know where to go and what to do.

Fire fighters dressed in protective gear with oxygen tanks run towards the smoke.

Fire drills are commonplace in office blocks and institutions for both the occupants and emergency service personnel. Perhaps community members need these type of events to familiarise themselves with evacuation procedures and safe places.

Distributing information or brochures to households is not enough. People need to physically go through the process of getting to important places. They also need to check out places like shelters to ensure they are appropriate for their needs. People also need to know how to handle equipment they wouldn’t normally use. Also, information via the written word assumes everyone can read and comprehend the information.

A co-design, participatory process

The workshop generated collaboration in addressing the crisis scenario presented to the participants. The lived experience of people with disability was a good learning experience for disaster management staff. Maintaining a home preparedness kit is challenging for some people when some medicines are restricted. That means you can’t order in advance to keep a ‘spare’ set.

Although staff had worked previously with organisations to produce written materials, they could see that some people fall between the cracks. People who get by reasonably well and not connected to community services could be missed. Although they are managing with day to day activities they may need support in a crisis.

In summary, the co-design methods allowed for more nuanced information to emerge. Evacuation and rescue solutions are context dependent because each locality is different.

The title of the article is, Enhancing Inclusive Crisis Planning: Insights from a Disability-Inclusive Scenario Workshop. It’s open access so you can download the PDF.

Abstract

In response to escalating disasters, inclusive crisis planning is crucial. This study examines a specialised workshop that engaged people with disabilities in crisis planning, focusing on a simulated flood scenario.

Stakeholders from disability organizations and the local municipality collaborated, including eight crisis communicators and thirteen individuals with disabilities. The workshop facilitated knowledge exchange and surfaced disability-specific issues.

While successful in raising awareness, challenges arose in relaying detailed perspectives, emphasizing the need for nuanced communication. Locally relevant scenarios strengthened the workshop’s impact.

The findings stress the importance of early involvement of individuals with disabilities in crisis planning and offer insights for researchers and policymakers. This research contributes to enhancing inclusivity in crisis planning and informs future disaster risk reduction.

Vulnerable citizens in floods and fires

While there are standards for building evacuations and fire risk management, these were developed without thought for vulnerable citizens. And when people need to evacuate to a communal place of safety, there is no guarantee it will be accessible.

Residents of the Northern Rivers area of New South Wales are not new to flood events. But the floods are getting worse. A major flood event occurred previously in 2017 and four researchers decided to explore the experiences of people with disability.

They found people with disability and carers are more likely than others to be affected and displaced. Their needs are more immediate and urgent than most, and their mental health is more likely to be compromised.

Road Closed signs and a barrier of a road that reaches down to a river in flood.

Their findings show the profound impact and systematic neglect experienced by people with disability and their carers. A longer term recovery period is required for people with disability with tailored supports. Consequently, people with disability should be included in flood preparations and recovery efforts.

The title of the article is, Exposure to risk and experiences of river flooding for people with disability and carers in rural Australia: a cross sectional survey. It’s not a very accessible document as the format is in two columns.

Fire safety

The NDIS aims to support people to live independently in a home designed around their disability. This usually means a step free entry and modified bathroom designs. However, little, if any, thought is given to the design of fire safety and safe evacuation in an emergency.

“Fire safety systems must be considered as a total package of risk management, equipment, maintenance, training and fire and evacuation drills. …Where disabled or immobile persons are concerned, the importance of the total package cannot be underestimated.”

house fire photo taken at night time.

Some NDIS participants will need extra support to prepare for and react in an emergency. Hank Van Ravenstein outlines the role of the NDIS in his paper, Fire Safety and the National Disability Insurance Scheme. The first part relates the history of the NDIS followed by technical considerations for safety. He argues that the National Construction Code regulations don’t fully address or reflect the needs and risk behaviours of NDIS participants.

If we are to take a universal design approach, if the fire safety regulations aren’t sufficient for people with disability, are they sufficient for everyone?

Bushfire safety

As cities grow and become more compact, some citizens feel the need to “go bush”. This usually means finding a forest haven amongst the trees away from urban living. Then there are those who have always lived in the bush and wouldn’t live anywhere else. But bush living is risky and can be costly in terms of lives and property. It is particularly risky for people with disability and consequently, a different risk assessment process is needed.

Despite fire and rescue authorities encouraging people to prepare for bushfires (and floods), many leave it too late. Some are unable to understand the instructions, or unable to carry them out. A paper by Bennett and Van Ravenstein spells out all the technicalities of fire prevention and control.

A nighttime view of a major bushfire. The bright orange and red glow of the fire is reaching into the tops of the trees.

They argue for a risk assessment approach to existing and proposed buildings for vulnerable persons. The aim of their method is to provide a consistent basis for assessment. The title of their paper is Fire Safety Management of Vulnerable Persons in Bushfire Prone areas.

There is an related paper on vertical evacuation of vulnerable persons in buildings.