E-quality
By Alvina, Priyal, Sanchi - Raffles World Academy
Alvina Rizvi
Priyal Mohindra
Sanchi Mohindra
EMPATHIZE & SDG
Understanding the lived experiences and challenges of the target audience, particularly children and young adults diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), is crucial. With statistics indicating that 1 in every 100 children are diagnosed with ASD, it’s evident that this neurodevelopmental disorder significantly impacts social interaction and communication skills from an early age.
This demographic faces several hurdles, including social stigmatization and heightened vulnerability to bullying and isolation. Research highlights that up to 50% of autistic individuals experience social anxiety, worsening their difficulties in navigating social environments. Moreover, the stark reality that 85% of adults on the autism spectrum are unemployed underscores the urgent need to address these challenges early on.
Recognizing these struggles, the development of an interactive web app tailored to children aged 5-12 with ASD emerges as a crucial solution.
In aligning with Sustainable Development Goal 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and Goal 10 (Reduced Inequalities), the app becomes a support for positive change. By prioritizing the mental health and social inclusion of individuals with ASD, it directly contributes to Goal 3’s objective of ensuring health and well-being for all ages. The SD Goal is considered to improve mental health well being is observed thouroughly and any issues are counteracted and resolved! Additionally, by equipping them with tools to overcome social barriers and enhance their educational and employment prospects, the app advances the principles of Goal 10 by promoting inclusivity and reducing inequalities in society.
UAE’s AGENDA
Strengthening our inclusivity and social development
The UAE has demonstrated a strong commitment to social development and inclusivity through various initiatives outlined in its national agenda.
Firstly, addressing the challenges faced by individuals with ASD aligns with the UAE’s commitment to social awareness and inclusion. By raising awareness about the needs of this vulnerable group and providing targeted interventions, the initiative contributes to fostering a more inclusive society where every individual, regardless of their abilities, feels valued and supported.
Secondly, the initiative directly supports the UAE’s national agenda of healthcare by focusing on the mental health and well-being of individuals with ASD. This proactive approach to healthcare reflects the UAE’s commitment to ensuring accessible and comprehensive healthcare services for all its residents.
Furthermore, by empowering individuals with ASD to develop their social and communication skills, the initiative contributes to reducing inequalities in access to educational and employment opportunities.
IDEATE
The solution to address the challenges faced by children diagnosed with ASD involves the development of an interactive web application tailored specifically to enhance their social and communication skills.
Firstly, the app will offer interactive exercises and simulations that focus on improving both verbal and non-verbal communication abilities. Utilizing engaging visuals and dynamic scenarios, children will be able to practice expressing themselves verbally, including tone of voice modulation, while also honing their ability to interpret non-verbal cues such as facial expressions and body language.
Secondly, the app will incorporate empathy comics, presenting simulated scenarios that replicate real-life social situations. By navigating these scenarios in a controlled digital environment, children can develop crucial skills such as initiating conversations, maintaining back-and-forth interactions, and understanding social norms and expectations.
Overall, the interactive web app serves as a versatile tool that not only supports children with ASD in improving their social and communication skills but also fosters their overall growth and confidence. The app empowers children with ASD to navigate social interactions with greater ease and prepares them for success in both educational and employment settings.
Features of e - quality.com
- Sharing common slang used by Gen-Z and teenagers these days
2. Empathy comics
3. Facial Expressions
4. Hand and bodily gestures
5. Games and quizzes
6. Point system and rewards
Aesthetics
- Cold color palette
- EX: green, blue, beige etc.
- TO avoid visual overstimulation
- TEXT and images should be well balanced
- AAC boards should have grid-display layouts
Function
- AAC [augmentative & ALTERNATIVE COMMUNICATION BOARDS] contain visual simulations.
- Visual simulations include hand and bodily gestures and facial expressions.
- GEN Z SLANGS for social awareness
- FUNS GAMES AND QUIZES to test their knowledge
- PROGRESS REPORT
- EMPATHY COMICS to enhance their ability to understand moral dilemmas
Safety
- data deletion options
- USER DATA ENCRYPTED
- multifactor authentication method
Cost
- the website will be free of cost
- no in-app purchases
Customer
- CHILDREN DIAGNOSED WITH ASD [AGE RANGE: 5-12 YRS]
COMPARISON WITH EXISTING PRODUCT
Coughdrops
- Cost for access to this web app with login details, educational tools and Cloud extras cost $9 per month and $290 for a lifetime purchase.
- ‘Cough drop’ is extremely configurable since it’s an open-source technology-which easily adapts to users’ needs. It creates a personalized learning path
- Does not consist of empathy comics or Gen Z social cues
- Includes AAC boards for visual simulations
- Allows parental monitoring and generates progress reports
E- quality
- Free of cost with no in-app purchases
- It fails to create a highly individualized learning path and contains generic content targeted to the audience as a whole.
- Includes empathy comics and Gen-Z slangs
- Includes AAC boards for visual simulations
- Allows parental monitoring and generates progress reports
PROTOTYPE
Website link
https://e-qualityasap.weebly.com/
