Task #8: Ableism in Makerspaces

Brief:

Critically analyze the impact of ableism on accessibility and inclusivity of makerspaces, while exploring strategies to foster a more inclusive maker mentality and a more welcoming makerspace.

Engaging with this task you are going to disseminate the discrimination of and social prejudice against people with disabilities. Disabilities can be visible and invisible.

The task is to engage with required scholarly work, supplementing with own examination of research and academic work to design an accessible maker space (physical, virtual or hybrid) that is inclusive of individuals with (in)visible disabilities from an anti-ableist lens.

Use the checklist below and the liberatory design thinking process as a means to guide your design using any of the educational technology tools listed below (or your own tool of choice). You will include a description and justification of your designed inclusive space using the scholarly work to support your claims, decisions, and configuration. You will want to check out Makers Making Change to provide you with ideas and additional resources to support your design.

    • Accessibility standards and guidelines for makerspaces have been addressed.
    • The space was designed using liberatory design thinking principles and practices.
    • Inclusive vs. exclusive accessibility and usability has been considered.
    • The design of your accessible makerspace is inclusive of individuals with diverse abilities
    • Incorporated universal design principles in the design process of this maker space as it pertains to set up, equipment, materials, and navigation.
    • Addresses physical and sensory barriers in maker space design and activities.
    • Empowers individuals with disabilities through adaptive and assistive technologies included in the space
    • Promotes inclusive practices and fosters a culture of accessibility and accommodation
    • Recognizes and challenges ableist assumptions and biases within maker culture through the design of the space
    • Space demonstrates an awareness and sensitivity toward diverse abilities.
    • Implements inclusive policies and guidelines for equitable participation in maker activities
    • Leverages community engagement and partnerships to support and amplify inclusivity in makerspaces as best communicated through the design.
    • People first and identify the first language used in space.
    • Demonstrates critical analysis of the texts through the design of the space.

Preface

After graduating from university, I was working as a BC Autism Funding service provider, working with youths on the autism spectrum. This project was inspired by KK, one of the youths that I used to work with. He would make elaborate builds of the Vancouver skytrain system within his Minecraft world, and we would often hop onto the server to build together during our sessions.
This made me consider online virtual spaces in connection with makerspaces and the potential ways that the Minecraft functions can be leveraged or modified to accommodate for individual user’s needs.

 

 

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