The Challenge
Navigating public transportation is difficult for people who are deaf and blind. Most navigation tools rely on audio or visual cues, which are inaccessible for these communities.
The Solution
I created a mobile app that uses haptic feedback (vibrations) to deliver real-time, intuitive navigation cues—empowering deaf and blind users to travel independently.
My Design Process
1. Empathize
Interviewed and observed deaf and blind users to understand their day-to-day transit struggles.
Drew from my personal experience working with people with disabilities in assisted living.
2. Define
Pinpointed the core need: hands-free, screenless guidance in busy environments.
3. Ideate
Explored vibration patterns to signal turns, stops, transit types (e.g. bus vs. train).
4. Prototype
Built a working prototype with vibration-based direction cues and a minimal interface.
5. Test & Iterate
Tested with users in real-world simulations.
Refined the app based on feedback to improve intuitiveness and comfort.
Results & Reflection
Users reported increased confidence and independence when using public transit.
Reinforced the importance of designing with, not for the disabled community.
Deepened my passion for accessibility and inclusive UX.
“The world can be accessible with just a few improvements and changes.”
You can read the entire paper I wrote for the Marshall Plan here.
Personal Note
This project merged my UX skills with my life mission: to make the world easier to navigate for people with different abilities. Designing this app wasn’t just about solving a problem—it was about creating dignity and autonomy through design.
