Co-Designing a Peer Support Platform for People with Low Vision & Blindness

Abstract

This report evaluates the design and development of a prototype Peer Support Platform that aimed to address the information, linkages and capacity (ILC) building needs of people with low vision and blindness. Consistent with the research literature, our user community survey established that people with low vision and blindness face persistent challenges in a) accessibility of digital information as well as spaces, venues and transport, b) overcoming isolation and managing social connections. The prototype platform bundled four core features that move toward addressing the needs expressed in the user community survey, and respond directly to input by co-design participants. Designing technologies with rather than simply for people with disabilities is essential for successful social inclusion outcomes; but as we found, it requires careful planning and a considered process.