Following the Techlab program's call for projects, in collaboration with APF France Handicap on the theme of 'Co-design and disability', OSO-AI submitted its application and had the honor of being selected to access the jury phase. This exceptional opportunity allows us to be actively involved in discussions around the issues faced by people with disabilities, as well as in the exploration of inclusive innovations. True to its commitment to attentive listening, OSO-AI particularly values this type of exchange, which is essential for the evolution and continuous adaptation of our solution to residents of Disability institutions.
Since 2018, the TechLab has been organizing focus groups allowing exchanges and product tests between startups and members of the APF France Disability Association. The objective of the 'Co-design and Handicap' program is to support startups wishing to involve people with disabilities in their product and service design process.
TechLab's “Co-design and Handicap” program aims to train startups in methods of co-design with people with disabilities, while supporting them in their inclusive innovation approaches. It also offers the opportunity to meet people with disabilities, caregivers, and health professionals from the APF France disability network during a dedicated day. The objective is to reinforce the adequacy of innovative solutions to the real needs of the people concerned, to encourage their active participation in the definition of products and services that affect them, and to optimize codesign approaches in order to accelerate the achievement of ergonomics and maturity essential to the success of these solutions.
TechLab's “Co-design and Handicap” program aims to train startups in methods of co-design with people with disabilities, while supporting them in their inclusive innovation approaches. It also offers the opportunity to meet people with disabilities, caregivers, and health professionals from the APF France disability network during a dedicated day. The objective is to reinforce the adequacy of innovative solutions to the real needs of the people concerned, to encourage their active participation in the definition of products and services that affect them, and to optimize codesign approaches in order to accelerate the achievement of ergonomics and maturity essential to the success of these solutions.
As part of the program, OSO-AI had the opportunity to lead a focus group, with the presentation of its solution “The Augmented Ear of Caregivers”, with exchanges on the feedback and questions of the participants.
Hélène Colin, project manager at OSO-AI, had the opportunity to gather questions about this innovation and to discuss its potential evolutions in order to adapt it even more to the specific needs of people with disabilities, as well as Disability institutions that we support.
During a workshop, participants had the opportunity to discuss their recent experiences dealing with a problem requiring the intervention of a third party. They discussed the context, the moment, the modalities and the reasons for these situations, then they put themselves in the place of the other actor in this same situation (the person with a disability becomes the caregiver or the caregiver, and vice versa). The objective was to illustrate specific needs or difficulties and to explore how Caregivers' Augmented Ear could meet these challenges.
Several key points were raised during these workshops: the management of false roads, the detection of falls, periods of silence, surveillance in open spaces, as well as ethical issues related to the use of the solution, including the consent of residents and the protection of caregivers of Disability institutions in the face of unpredictable reactions.
At the end of this program, which took place over several months, OSO-AI was honored with a Certificate of Award of 'Inclusive Designer' label awarded by TechLab and APF France Handicap.
Building on this enriching experience, OSO-AI wishes to continue their collaboration with the APF in the field of disability and to actively engage in the development of a community of inclusive designers.