Challenges

Each case is based on real challenges and needs identified through user research and expert interviews.

Challenge 1

Invisible Disabilities

Imagine having to navigate an airport filled with noise, people everywhere and constant distractions and feeling overwhelmed about where to go. You planned your journey down to every detail, but one unexpected gate change, extra security check or break in your routine can make the whole structure fall apart.

Despite increased awareness in recent years, millions of people with ADHD, people on the autism spectrum, people experiencing anxiety, cognitive challenges or other invisible disabilities still face overwhelming barriers when navigating public transportation and other public spaces. From sensory overload in crowded environments to unclear signage and unpredictable changes – it is exhausting, and can be the difference between participating or staying at home.

When all your energy goes into simply figuring out how to get from A to B, there is little left for social interaction once you arrive. Many people with invisible disabilities may need more time, support and patience when moving through public environments.

This calls for new approaches that go beyond diagnostic labels and focus on individual needs. There is a strong need for solutions that help people with invisible disabilities travel with greater ease, confidence and autonomy – whether they are on their way to the airport, on a bus, train, or visiting a shopping centre.

So how might we develop intuitive, mobile and inclusive tools that support planning, navigation and access to relevant information when needed – in a way that reduces cognitive load rather than adding to it?

Billede af en person i en lufthavn

Design Constraints:

  • The solution must be usable in crowded and noisy environments without drawing attention.

  • Mental energy is a limited resource – the solution must be intuitive and user-friendly, requiring as little cognitive effort as possible.

  • The solution should be portable and flexible enough to support a range of different invisible disability needs.
En familie på 3 sidder ved et bord

Design Constraints:

  • The solution must be portable and flexible enough to receive and organise information from multiple sectors.

  • Time and energy are extremely limited – the solution must be intuitive and user-friendly, requiring no unnecessary effort.

  • The solution must consider that relatives often operate in a space with high emotional load and a constant need for both structure and support.

Challenge 2

Family and Caregivers

Parents and relatives of people with disabilities often face life situations so demanding that they lead to exhaustion, mental stress, guilt and feelings of inadequacy. Experience from family-focused support initiatives shows that parents of children with disabilities are, on average, in contact with 33 different professionals per year, and they are often left with the full responsibility of managing this without a clear overview of who does what, when and where.

This requires intense coordination from parents: keeping track of meetings with professionals, therapy plans, medical appointments, messages from the school or institution, health recommendations and social activities – all while trying to create a stable and safe everyday life for the whole family. Parents often describe it as being “the project manager of a life – without ever being given a manual.”
 “You don’t have time to go looking for help – you need the help to find you.”

Many relatives therefore express the need for a kind of personal project coordinator – a tool that gathers information, synchronises appointments and creates structure in a complex daily life. A tool that ties things together rather than adding new tasks.

A strong network of other parents and caregivers can be the difference between feeling lost and feeling supported. Many are looking for contact with families who understand their reality – who can share experiences, tips and strategies, and offer emotional support in “a role no one teaches you to navigate.” They often sit with questions that others have already solved, yet don’t know where to ask. They need a solution that connects relatives to each other and to relevant resources.

So how might we develop a solution that helps relatives coordinate and structure information across sectors (education, health, municipality), while also being intuitive, flexible and adapted to each family’s needs – and at the same time supports access to networks, knowledge sharing and emotional support?

Challenge 3

Communication

Communication is our entry ticket to the social world – whether it’s hanging out with friends, saying the right thing on a date, taking part in education or being able to perform at work.

Communication difficulties cover a wide range of experiences: from people living with dyslexia, to people who communicate using sign language, to individuals with speech challenges or those who use AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) devices to convert text into speech.
For many, communication challenges feel like having something important to say but not being able to get the words out. You know exactly what you want to express, but the person you are talking to doesn’t understand you. The pace of the conversation and the struggle to be understood make the interaction feel awkward and every attempt to correct the misunderstanding feels like digging deeper into confusion.

These experiences are part of everyday life for millions of people with communication difficulties – both in face-to-face interactions and in written digital communication.

So how might we develop a solution that supports communication for people with communication difficulties?
The solution must consider pace and flow, and help convey messages and intentions – both from and to the user – in real time.

And how might we develop a solution that makes it possible to express oneself digitally – clearly, safely and with the right intention? A great solution shouldn’t just translate words – it should translate intentions, emotions and needs, and create a sense of being understood and being able to express oneself.

2 personer prøver at kommunikere

Design Constraints:

  • The solution must be usable in noisy environments.

  • It must allow users to hold a private or intimate conversation in a public space – without drawing attention.

  • The solution must be portable and easy to use in daily life.