Solace is a subscription based service of private sensory spaces in public areas, for autistic individuals.
Time Frame
20 Weeks
Team Members
Sara Williams
Sullivan Wilcox
Satchel Hallmark
Isa Gonzalez
The Problem
Public spaces are difficult for those with autism because of social stigma, neurotypical standards, and lack of accommodations leaving them without a safe space that considers their individual sensory needs.
Our Solution
We are a subscription based service of private sensory spaces in public areas, where autistic individuals indiscriminate of age can schedule a personalized experience with curated activites to accomodate to their sensory needs.
During the Winter of 2022 we were given the prompt
Solve problems in our community with good UX designs to disruptively improve or to make big social changes by applying the most innovative, useful, and meaningful technologies.
Local
In the state of Georgia, 1 in 46 children are identified with autism spectrum disorder.
Global
It is estimated that worldwide about 1 in 100 children has autism.
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is defined as a developmental disability that can cause significant social, communication, and behavioral challenges.
Those with ASD can experience both hypersensitivity and hyposensitivity to a wide range of stimuli. Most people have a combination of both.
Over the course of our project we worked with over 60 individuals ranging from those with autism, caretakers, therapists, and experts.
Here’s what just a few individuals had to say when talking about their experiences living with autism.
Think about the sensory overload and anxiety autistic individuals face when going out into the public everyday.
Problem Statement
Public spaces are difficult for those with autism because of social stigma, neurotypical standards, and lack of accommodations leaving them without a safe space that considers their individual sensory needs.
Introducing…
There are five different components that make up Solace.
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Where users can schedule a visit at one of our locations and customize their desired sensory experience.
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Located in airports, malls, arenas, and stadiums that include up to five individual rooms that users can reserve for 15-30 minute periods.
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We created a dual projector that can display our interfaces both on the wall and floor that houses our built-in voice assistant.
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Our voice assistant Solace works in tandem with our projector to assist customers with controlling the lighting, media, sound, and equipment in their room.
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We created a downloadable AAC library with function and fringe words to allow non-verbal autistic individuals to navigate our space.
Target Customers
Let’s walk through the Solace customer experience through lens of one of our target customers.
Meet Ben!
Ben is a 22 year old autistic individual. As he has grown older, the support and resources he once had have dwindled. He’s too old for pediatric care and public school and has found himself lacking the resources he desperately needs.
Scenario
Ben is a new subscriber to our service and wants to make his first reservation at the solace space in his local mall.
Solace Customer Experience
Onboarding
Ben can input his sensory sensitivities so Solace can learn what type of equipment and room settings to recommend.
Sensory Experiences
Ben can save his desired equipment, room settings, and structure for future use when visiting Solace spaces.
Booking
Ben can see where Solace spaces are locally, and book a sensory experience at his mall.
Solace Customer Experience
Check-in
Ben is guided to our mall solace space using way-finding where they then can use their phone or physical ID to be granted access.
Transitional Hallway
Each of our spaces contain a transitional entrance and exit hallway to facilitate smooth sensory transition from overstimulating environments.
Our Rooms
Every Solace sensory room is equipped with bubble tubes, a projector, your personalized equipment, and storage space for personal belongings during your experience.
Lobby
After a smooth transition into the space, guests are greeted by our Solace lobby. This space was designed to provide an accommodating and low stimuli space for guests while you wait.
Activities
Ben can now complete different activities or exercises with the equipment he selected. Our projector and voice assistant can suggest different activities he can do with each piece of equipment.
Welcome Sequence
Ben is welcomed to his sensory space by our voice assistant “Solace” that is built into our projector.
Non-Verbal CX
If Ben was non-verbal, he could either use our downloadable AAC library on a tablet. Or if he doesn’t own a AAC device, he can use our non-verbal poster located in every room.
Room Controls
At any point during his session Ben can change the lighting, media, sound, and equipment by voice or touch.
Exit Transitional Hallway
At any point during his session Ben can change the lighting, media, sound, and equipment by voice or touch.
How did we get to Solace?
