Splash Biography

Are you interested in discovering how disability-centered research is conducted? Perhaps you are interested in UX/UI, disability identity and studies, or you're just plain curious! This course will examine the oft-cited Principles of Universal Design, present case studies of disability-centered prototyping, and highlight disability-centered research pathways. Students will have the opportunity to learn about exciting research being conducted and how they can make a lasting impact in their chosen spheres of influence. This course is a fantastic introduction to the design and research space, particularly for students interested in pursuing academic research. No prior knowledge is expected, and students will leave with a more nuanced understanding of the design and prototyping process. Course materials are the work of the UC Berkeley Disability Lab, a nexus for disability studies and research led by Dr. Karen Nakamura. The Disability Lab is comprised of majority-disabled researchers and conducts several active research projects across academic disciplines (i.e. mechanical engineering, computer science, anthropology, arts & literature, data science, and more!).