Neuro Divergent
This exhibition focuses on four different learning disabilities: dyslexia, dyspraxia, ADHD, and reading disorders, each accompanied by its own narrative. The participants first learn about a particular person’s struggles with a particular learning disability or disorder, then learn who that person is and the accomplishments they’ve made in their field.
Practice Area
Industry
The Challenge
There were several challenges with this project both logistically and conceptually. The first was figuring out how to accurately convey what it feels like to have different learning disabilities and disorders to neurotypical people. The second challenge was figuring out how to create this project in a sensitive way that allowed participants to see that these were abilities rather than disabilities. Learning disabilities aren’t disabilities at all, they are just a different way of thinking. The third challenge was more logistical. This project was created during the height of the covid19 pandemic when classes were fully online and resulting in limited access to facilities, studios, and gallery spaces.
Project Vision
The goal of this exhibition was to show how design can promote empathy through the lens of learning disabilities while also empowering those with learning disabilities and illuminating how they feel. To do this, simulations were created that mimic what it feels like to have a different learning disability or disorder and how to incorporate each unique learning method specific to that disability. The desire was to challenge participants to do a typical task but prohibited them from employing a conventional solution.
Design + Execution
The project began with concept and research. Most of the project was informed by the experiences of forty different people living with these disabilities and disorders. Mixed modalities (digital and tactile) were used to reflect the concept that everyone learns in different ways. The goal was to make sure to make everything was accessible as possible.
Project Details
Design Team
Ana Tobin
Collaborators
Jennifer Cole Phillips, Ellen Lupton, Bobby Joe Smith III, Abraham Burickson (MICA professors)
MICA GD MFA 2021 classmates
Survey respondents
Photo Credits
Ana Tobin
Dan Meyers
Open Date
April 2021