Switcharoo
Switch-Accessible Tablet Application
Through collaboration with educators and occupational therapists, this tablet application addresses the lack of accessible and engaging tools for children with disabilities, focusing on how to provide inclusive play opportunities through games to develop motor and cognitive skills.
Type
Switch-Accessible
Tablet Application
Role
Project Lead
UX Designer
User Researcher
Tools
Figma
Figjam
Illustrator
Switch Kit
Date
September 2024
to June 2025
The Problem
Children with disabilities have fewer play opportunities compared to children without disabilities, limiting their cognitive development and learning potential.
Children with disabilities have fewer play opportunities compared to children without disabilities, limiting their cognitive development and learning potential.
Existing switch-accessible tools are expensive to purchase and access.
Narrowly focused on specific age ranges that don't serve diverse classroom needs.
Lack multi-player functionality that would enable collaborative experiences.
Existing switch-accessible tools are expensive to purchase and access.
Narrowly focused on specific age ranges that don't serve diverse classroom needs.
Lack multi-player functionality that would enable collaborative experiences.
Initially, we created needs profiles for our target users to highlight their goals, actions, thoughts, and pain points, etc…
Initially, we created needs profiles for our target users to highlight their goals, actions, thoughts, and pain points, etc…
Initially, we created needs profiles for our target users to highlight their goals, actions, thoughts, and pain points, etc…
To understand the real needs of children with disabilities and their educators, we utilized multiple research methods…
To understand the real needs of children with disabilities and their educators, we utilized multiple research methods…
User
Interviews
User Interviews
Conducted in-depth interviews with educators and teachers at the UW Experimental Educational Unit to understand classroom context and learning objectives. These conversations revealed the importance of customization, consistency, and collaborative play in educational settings.
Conducted in-depth interviews with educators and teachers at the UW Experimental Educational Unit to understand classroom context and learning objectives. These conversations revealed the importance of customization, consistency, and collaborative play in educational settings.
Conducted in-depth interviews with educators and teachers at the UW Experimental Educational Unit to understand classroom context and learning objectives. These conversations revealed the importance of customization, consistency, and collaborative play in educational settings.
Secondary
Research
Secondary Research
Analyzed existing solutions including Papunet, Sensory App House, and One Switch websites to identify gaps in affordability, functionality, engagement, and inclusivity in the current market.
Analyzed existing solutions including Papunet, Sensory App House, and One Switch websites to identify gaps in affordability, functionality, engagement, and inclusivity in the current market.
Analyzed existing solutions including Papunet, Sensory App House, and One Switch websites to identify gaps in affordability, functionality, engagement, and inclusivity in the current market.
Ethnographic
Observations
Ethnographic Observations
Conducted onsite classroom observations to understand how technology is used in real educational environments, noting challenges with existing iPad applications and accessibility issues.
Conducted onsite classroom observations to understand how technology is used in real educational environments, noting challenges with existing iPad applications and accessibility issues.
Conducted onsite classroom observations to understand how technology is used in real educational environments, noting challenges with existing iPad applications and accessibility issues.
Key Insights
Accessibility Challenges
Children face difficulties with small buttons and distinguishing between images and buttons in current applications.
Accessibility Challenges
Children face difficulties with small buttons and distinguishing between images and buttons in current applications.
Accessibility Challenges
Children face difficulties with small buttons and distinguishing between images and buttons in current applications.
Multiple Learning Styles
Students prefer different approaches: some learn through storytelling, others through haptic feedback and cause-and-effect interactions
Multiple Learning Styles
Students prefer different approaches: some learn through storytelling, others through haptic feedback and cause-and-effect interactions
Multiple Learning Styles
Students prefer different approaches: some learn through storytelling, others through haptic feedback and cause-and-effect interactions
Collaborative Play Matters
Educators emphasized the importance of turn-taking, sharing, and collaborative experiences in development, in part to limited iPad availability.
Collaborative Play Matters
Educators emphasized the importance of turn-taking, sharing, and collaborative experiences in development, in part to limited iPad availability.
Collaborative Play Matters
Educators emphasized the importance of turn-taking, sharing, and collaborative experiences in development, in part to limited iPad availability.
Low Entry Barrier
Educators prefer low-cost or open-source solutions that can be easily integrated into classroom settings without extensive training.
Low Entry Barrier
Educators prefer low-cost or open-source solutions that can be easily integrated into classroom settings without extensive training.
Low Entry Barrier
Educators prefer low-cost or open-source solutions that can be easily integrated into classroom settings without extensive training.
"Each child's developmental milestones are unique, and the app should support their progress without imposing rigid expectations."
"Each child's developmental milestones are unique, and the app should support their progress without imposing rigid expectations."
Design Solution: Switcharoo
A switch-accessible tablet application featuring multiple educational games organized in an intuitive library, designed for both individual and collaborative play.
A switch-accessible tablet application featuring multiple educational games organized in an intuitive library, designed for both individual and collaborative play.
Grid-Based Library
Large, color and symbol coded game tiles with star icons to mark favorites.
A player count toggle (Single/Group)
A left-side menu for quick access to Library, Favorites, Settings, and Help.
Large, color and symbol coded game tiles with star icons to mark favorites.
A player count toggle (Single/Group)
A left-side menu for quick access to Library, Favorites, Settings, and Help.
Large, color and symbol coded game tiles with star icons to mark favorites.
A player count toggle (Single/Group)
A left-side menu for quick access to Library, Favorites, Settings, and Help.
Game Overview Modal
Tapping a game opens a pop-up with the game’s learning theme, clear description, required switch type, an option to favorite, and to play.
Enables teachers and therapists to quickly preview game goals and switch info to select appropriate content.
Tapping a game opens a pop-up with the game’s learning theme, clear description, required switch type, an option to favorite, and to play.
Enables teachers and therapists to quickly preview game goals and switch info to select appropriate content.
Tapping a game opens a pop-up with the game’s learning theme, clear description, required switch type, an option to favorite, and to play.
Enables teachers and therapists to quickly preview game goals and switch info to select appropriate content.
Settings
Educators can tailor settings like high-contrast mode, sounds, and haptics to support each child’s unique sensory and cognitive profile.
Supports screen tap and external switch use, with easy pairing and calibration.
Educators can tailor settings like high-contrast mode, sounds, and haptics to support each child’s unique sensory and cognitive profile.
Supports screen tap and external switch use, with easy pairing and calibration.
Educators can tailor settings like high-contrast mode, sounds, and haptics to support each child’s unique sensory and cognitive profile.
Supports screen tap and external switch use, with easy pairing and calibration.
Dashboard Prototypes
Core Accessibility Features
To assist children in their gameplay, we've implemented visual and haptic feedback to clearly guide them towards successful interactions.
To assist children in their gameplay, we've implemented visual and haptic feedback to clearly guide them towards successful interactions.
Scanning Patterns
Games will implement a scanning pattern that will automatically move a selector across interactive elements.
Feedback Cues
Games will include visual feedback and haptics in response towards successful interactions.
High Contrast Mode
High contrast mode will be available for all the games on the application.
Additional Game Prototypes
These other games we explored also involve group play and cover developmental themes such as timing, motor planning, exploration, and creativity.
These other games we explored also involve group play and cover developmental themes such as timing, motor planning, exploration, and creativity.
Treasure Hunt
Crossy Roads
Sound Play
Demonstration of playing the games using different types of switches
Outcome
Switcharoo provides a free, accessible tool that empowers children with disabilities to experience the joy of play while developing crucial motor and cognitive skills.
Switcharoo provides a free, accessible tool that empowers children with disabilities to experience the joy of play while developing crucial motor and cognitive skills.
Digital Equity
Free application removes cost barriers that prevent access to quality switch-accessible games.
Free application removes cost barriers that prevent access to quality switch-accessible games.
Broad Compatibility
Works with different switch types and supports the iPad devices already used in educational settings.
Works with different switch types and supports the iPad devices already used in educational settings.
Inclusive Design
Accommodates diverse abilities and developmental stages in a single platform.
Accommodates diverse abilities and developmental stages in a single platform.
Educational Value
Aligns with learning objectives in the curriculum identified by educators and therapists.
Aligns with learning objectives in the curriculum identified by educators and therapists.