Find a way for those with High-Functioning Autism (HFA) to better navigate the workplace

In the realm of resources open to people who are on the Autism spectrum, choices are very select, especially for those who are high-functioning. After leaving college, young professionals with HFA are left by themselves to face the challenges of the workplace, while neurotypicals are equally ill-equipped to understand how to work along side HFA individuals. Particular obstacles to working seamlessly with co-workers include overstimulation of the environment, difficulties in social interaction and verbal and nonverbal communication, etc.

Concept

Redefine the ask: How can neurotypicals make it easier for HFA employees to better navigate the workplace?

Existing programs and solutions are geared towards HFA individuals better fitting in with neurotypicals, yet we found that if neurotypicals changed just one aspect of their daily communication habits, it would make such an impact. Even if there are not any HFA employees at your company, everyone is annoyed at the typical ambiguous or passive-aggressive email from a co-worker. Without further context, anyone, neurotypical or otherwise, has a hard time parsing through indirect language to the point of affecting our productivity and feeling of camaraderie with our co-workers.vides context in the X, Y, and Z axises instead of just two like traditional mobile applications.

Solution

Clarify: A Chrome Extension that spots and helps to correct indirect language

Clarify's Chrome Extension is a email plug-in that allows neurotypicals (those without Autism, mental illness, or intellectual disabilities) to identify confusing language that can not only confuse people with Autism, but also people who hate unnecessary ambiguous language.

Concept

Use AR to animate instructions right off the page for improved context

AR provides two key features that help users further understand their environment. 1) It puts in augmented content wherever the user holds their phone camera and 2) Provides context in the X, Y, and Z axises instead of just two like traditional mobile applications.

Why this works

Use AR to animate instructions right off the page for improved context

IKEA Assembly is a mobile application that uses augmented reality to place animated instructions into the user's environment. The little details and context that get lost in a picture can be clarified by the user walking around, moving closer and away from the model, and iconography representing key tools and actions needed.

Why this works

Raises Awareness

Raises awareness and recognition about indirect language in the workplace and provides a solution.

Get to the point

Helps neurotypicals and those on the spectrum become more direct and clear in their communication in their emails.

Easy to Use

Users are already used to auto-correct and spell-checkers, so adding another "communication check" works easily into their workflow.

The Process

behind-the-scenes: user Flow sketches and prototype iterations

Concepting, designing, and prototyping to solve
problems and create exceptional experiences

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Another needless source of question marks over people’s heads is links and buttons that aren’t obviously clickable. As a user, I should never have to devote a millisecond of thought to whether things are clickable — or not.

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Your objective should always be to eliminate instructions entirely by making everything self-explanatory, or as close to it as possible. When instructions are absolutely necessary, cut them back to a bare minimum.

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