Video Presentation for those who would prefer a visual case study
Problem
Individuals with disabilities live in fear of harassment, discrimination, and negativity due to having service dogs, and because of that, there is a lack of safety and community.
Solution
A mobile app exclusively for service dog owners to have a safe space where they can connect, build community, and share experiences with one another
The Research
Insights
+ Public spaces reject Service Dogs (Illegal)
+ Deal with Harassment, Assault, Discrimination
+ Unsafe in their own communities
+ Negativity at an all-time high
+ Divide between real and fake service dogs
Interviews
Sean N.
"An individual with a disability; has an emotional support dog"
+ Understands that an emotional support animal isn't a service dog.
+ No negative feelings against real service dogs and their owners.
+ Believes they should have a space they can call their own without the hate that fake service dog owners bring.
+ No negative feelings against real service dogs and their owners.
+ Believes they should have a space they can call their own without the hate that fake service dog owners bring.
Joe M.
"An individual with a disability; has a medical alert service dog"
+ People don't understand the difference between what a service dog does and what they're for.
+ It's hard for him to educate the general public because most don't care.
+ Advocates for his community.
+ It's hard for him to educate the general public because most don't care.
+ Advocates for his community.
Shayla S.
"Service Dog Trainer"
+ People underestimate how much goes into training a service animal, it takes up to a year or even more for them to be ready.
+ Some don't pass and that's the reality of things.
+ Training is mostly done in public and it's hard when the general public wants to pet and interact with the animals.
+ Always tries to keep in touch with the service dog owners she trains.
+ Some don't pass and that's the reality of things.
+ Training is mostly done in public and it's hard when the general public wants to pet and interact with the animals.
+ Always tries to keep in touch with the service dog owners she trains.
They all collectively believe the service dog community should have a place where they can feel safe and heard
FlowChart
Ideation
Prototype
Sign up
+ To sign up, the user must upload documentation to prove they have a legitimate service dog.
+ From then on, the app will evaluate the documents and the user can continue the sign-up process.
+ They can create their profile as well as their service dog profile (v2)
+ The last screen in the sign-up process will ask the user what their disabilities are and ideally the app will cater to said disabilities (v2)
Home Screen
+ Post content, upload pictures, and share stories.
+ View service-dog-related content and news
+ Receive alerts.
+ Join communities/events.
+ Make friends.
Discover
+ Users can look up places they want to go and find out if they're service dog-friendly by either zones or reviews.
+ There are 3 zones:
Green zone: service dog-friendly
Yellow zone: Neutral
Red zone: Service dogs are not welcome
+ Users can also filter places that are wheelchair accessible.
Reflection
Doing this all on my own was challenging, from research to ideation to creating a prototype. Nonetheless, it was all fulfilling. I learned a lot about myself and what I'm capable of on my own. I found an even deeper admiration and appreciation for the Service Dog Community. I just hope that this project can one day make a huge difference and impact their lives.
