When we design for disability, we all benefit | Elise Roy

譯者: Crystal Yip 審譯者: 易帆 余

I'll never forget the sound

我永遠忘不了

與朋友相聚時的歡笑聲。

of laughing with my friends.

I'll never forget the sound

我永遠忘不了

of my mother's voice right before I fell asleep.

入睡前媽媽的聲音。

And I'll never forget the comforting sound of water

我永遠不會忘記

那讓人寬心涓涓而下的溪流聲音。

trickling down a stream.

Imagine my fear, pure fear,

想像一下，我的恐懼、純然的恐懼，

when, at the age of 10,

在十歲那年，我被告知 將會失去聽覺的恐懼。

I was told I was going to lose my hearing.

And over the next five years,

在往後五年，

it progressed until I was classified as profoundly deaf.

我的聽力漸漸減弱， 最後被分類為極度嚴重的聽障。

But I believe that losing my hearing

但我相信，失去了聽覺

was one of the greatest gifts I've ever received.

是我這一生最好的禮物。

You see, I get to experience the world in a unique way.

你看，我得用 獨特的方式來體驗世界。

And I believe that these unique experiences

而我相信，這些殘障人士的獨特經驗

that people with disabilities have

is what's going to help us make and design a better world

可以幫助我們創造 並設計出更美好的世界，

for everyone -- both for people with and without disabilities.

讓所有人，

不論健全或殘障都能受益。

我曾是一位殘障人士的權利律師，

I used to be a disability rights lawyer,

and I spent a lot of my time focused on enforcing the law,

長時間在執業，

ensuring that accommodations were made.

確保殘障人士的需要得到滿足。

And then I had to quickly learn international policy,

然後我必須迅速學習國際政策，

because I was asked to work on the UN Convention

因為我受邀從事有關於 《聯合國殘障人士權利公約》的工作。

that protects people with disabilities.

As the leader of the NGO there,

身為非政府組織的領袖，

I spent most of my energy trying to convince people

我花費大部分精力去說服別人

about the capabilities of people with disabilities.

認同殘疾人士的各種能力。

But somewhere along the way,

但這一路來，

and after many career transitions

換了很多不同的工作，

that my parents weren't so happy about --

我爸媽並不太開心我這樣換 ——

(Laughter)

（笑聲）

I stumbled upon a solution

我無意中找到了答案，

that I believe may be an even more powerful tool

我相信這也許是更有效的工具

可以解決世上一些重要的問題，

to solve some of the world's greatest problems,

disability or not.

不論問題是否關於殘障人士。

And that tool is called design thinking.

這工具叫做「設計思考」。

Design thinking is a process for innovation and problem solving.

設計思考是一個 創新和解決問題的過程，

There are five steps.

總共有五個步驟。

The first is defining the problem

第一、定義問題並了解它的限制。

and understanding its constraints.

The second is observing people in real-life situations

第二、觀察人們 在真實生活中的情況，

and empathizing with them.

並感同身受他們的處境。

Third, throwing out hundreds of ideas -- the more the better,

第三、激盪出各種想法 ——

愈多愈好、愈瘋狂愈好。

the wilder the better.

Fourth, prototyping: gathering whatever you can,

第四、形成雛形： 盡可能收集你能找到的方案

whatever you can find,

to mimic your solution, to test it

去模擬、測試，

and to refine it.

並作改善。

And finally, implementation:

最後是實踐計劃，

ensuring that the solution you came up with is sustainable.

確保你得出的方案是持續可行的。

Warren Berger says that design thinking teaches us to look sideways,

華倫·柏格說，「設計思考」 教導我們從旁觀察、

to reframe, to refine, to experiment

重新構築、改善、試驗，

and, probably most importantly,

以及可能是最重要的：

ask those stupid questions.

要學會問蠢問題。

Design thinkers believe that everyone is creative.

設計思考者相信每個人都有創意。

They believe in bringing people from multiple disciplines together,

他們相信，集合不同專業的人，

because they want to share multiple perspectives

分享不同的觀點，

and bring them together and ultimately merge them

可以把這些觀點聚集起來，

to form something new.

形成一種新的架構。

Design thinking is such a successful and versatile tool

設計思考是如此有效 和多功能的工具，

that it has been applied in almost every industry.

它適用於各個行業。

I saw the potential that it had for the issues I faced,

我看出，它有解決 我當時所面對的問題的潛力，

so I decided to go back to school

因此我決定重回校園，

and get my master's in social design.

取得社會設計碩士。

This looks at how to use design to create positive change in the world.

這是一門研究如何透過設計 來改善世界的學問。

While I was there,

我在攻讀碩士時，

I fell in love with woodworking.

愛上了木工工藝。

But what I quickly realized

但我很快發現，

was that I was missing out on something.

我欠缺了一些能力。

As you're working with a tool,

就是，當你在使用工具時，

right before it's about to kick back at you --

在它反彈踫到你之前，

which means the piece or the tool jumps back at you --

就是當木材或工具卡住， 跳起來打到你之前，

it makes a sound.

會發出聲響。

And I couldn't hear this sound.

但我聽不到聲音。

So I decided,

因此我決定，

why not try and solve it?

何不嘗試解決這個問題？

My solution was a pair of safety glasses

我的解決方法是一副安全眼鏡，

that were engineered to visually alert the user

它在工具產生高音變化時，

to pitch changes in the tool,

會用視覺提示的方式來警告使用者，

before the human ear could pick it up.

讓使用者在聽到之前就能覺察到。

Why hadn't tool designers thought of this before?

為甚麼之前的工具設計者從未想過？

(Laughter)

（笑聲）

Two reasons: one, I was a beginner.

有兩個原因：一、我是個新手，

I wasn't weighed down by expertise or conventional wisdom.

未受專門技術或傳統觀念限制。

The second is: I was Deaf.

二、我失聰。

My unique experience of the world helped inform my solution.

我對世界的獨特體驗 有助於我解決問題。

And as I went on, I kept running into more and more solutions

我持續投入，不斷地發現更多

that were originally made for people with disabilities,

原為殘疾人士設計的解決方法，

and that ended up being picked up,

最後受到主流大眾的擁戴的喜愛，

embraced and loved by the mainstream,

disability or not.

不論他們殘疾與否。

This is an OXO potato peeler.

這是個 OXO 馬鈴薯削皮器。

It was originally designed for people with arthritis,

它原本是為關節炎患者所設計，

but it was so comfortable, everybody loved it.

但因為手感舒服，人人都愛用。

Text messaging: that was originally designed for people who are Deaf.

簡訊：這功能原本是為 失聰人士所設計的。

And as you know, everybody loves that, too.

結果，大家都超愛傳簡訊的。

(Laughter)

（笑聲）

I started thinking:

我開始思考：

What if we changed our mindset?

如果我們能把頭腦轉換個方向？

What if we started designing for disability first --

若我們反常道而行， 先為殘疾人士設計會怎樣？

not the norm?

As you see, when we design for disability first,

如你所見，

當我們先為殘障人士設計時，

we often stumble upon solutions that are not only inclusive,

我們經常會無意中發現

這些設計不但適合不同的人，

but also are often better than when we design for the norm.

而且比一般設計還要優秀。

And this excites me,

這讓我備受鼓舞，

because this means that the energy it takes to accommodate someone

因為這意味著，

為殘疾人士所花費的心思 和設計上的調整，

with a disability

can be leveraged, molded and played with

可以為創意及創新

as a force for creativity and innovation.

帶來更多的動力。

This moves us from the mindset of trying to change the hearts

這可以驅使我們的思維，

and the deficiency mindset of tolerance,

從心的改變及包容力不足的情況，

to becoming an alchemist,

轉變成能解決世上 最大問題的煉金魔術師。

the type of magician that this world so desperately needs

to solve some of its greatest problems.

Now, I also believe

現在我也相信，

that people with disabilities have great potential to be designers

殘障人士在設計思考的過程中， 很有潛質能成為設計師。

within this design-thinking process.

Without knowing it, from a very early age,

我根本不知道，我從很小的時候

I've been a design thinker, fine-tuning my skills.

就已經是一位不斷地在 磨練自己技能的設計思考者，

Design thinkers are, by nature, problem solvers.

設計思考者天生就是問題解決者。

So imagine listening to a conversation

想像一下，你正在聆聽一段對話，

and only understanding 50 percent of what is said.

而你只能理解 50% 的內容，

You can't ask them to repeat every single word.

你不能請他們重複每個字，

They would just get frustrated with you.

否則他們會對你感到不耐煩。

So without even realizing it,

所以幾乎在聽不懂的情況下，

my solution was to take the muffled sound I heard,

我的解決方法就是， 把那些模糊不清的聲音，

也就是說話的節奏，

that was the beat,

and turn it into a rhythm and place it with the lips I read.

轉變成為旋律，再加上 我讀到的唇語來綜合理解它們。

Years later, someone commented that my writing had a rhythm to it.

多年後，某人說我的文章中有節奏，

Well, this is because I experience conversations as rhythms.

那是因為我是用旋律在體會對話。

I also became really, really good at failing.

我也變得很會處理失敗時的挫折。

(Laughter)

（笑聲）

Quite literally.

這是說真的。

My first semester in Spanish, I got a D.

我西班牙文的第一學期 才拿個 60 分，

But what I learned was that when I picked myself up

但我學到的是，當我重新站起來，

and changed a few things around,

重新調整過後，

eventually, I succeeded.

最後還是可以成功的。

Similarly, design thinking encourages people to fail

同樣地，設計思考鼓勵人們失敗，

and fail often,

並且經常失敗，

because eventually, you will succeed.

因為最後，你會成功的。

Very few great innovations in this world

世上很少偉大的發明創新

have come from someone succeeding on the first try.

第一次就能成功。

I also experienced this lesson in sports.

我在體育運動上也得到相同的教訓。

I'll never forget my coach saying to my mom,

我永遠不會忘記教練跟我媽媽說：

"If she just didn't have her hearing loss,

「如果她沒有失去聽覺能力，

she would be on the national team."

她會入選國家隊。」

But what my coach, and what I didn't even know at the time,

但教練和當時的我也不知道，

was that my hearing loss actually helped me excel at sports.

其實我失去聽力， 反倒幫助我擅長於運動。

You see, when you lose your hearing, not only do you adapt your behavior,

你想想，當你失去聽力， 你不單要調適你的行為，

but you also adapt your physical senses.

你也要調適你的感官。

One example of this

舉個例子，

is that my visual attention span increased.

我的視覺專注範圍增加了。

Imagine a soccer player, coming down the left flank.

想像有一位足球員，向左側過來，

Imagine being goalkeeper, like I was,

而你就是我當時擔任的守門員，

and the ball is coming down the left flank.

球向左側翼過來。

A person with normal hearing would have the visual perspective of this.

聽力正常的人差不多 有這樣的視線範圍。

I had the benefit of a spectrum this wide.

而我的優勢就是， 視線範圍比他們廣。

So I picked up the players over here,

所以我可以注意到那邊的球員，

that were moving about and coming down the field.

正不斷地移動過來。

And I picked them up quicker, so that if the ball was passed,

我可以比較快注意到他們， 所以一旦傳球，

I could reposition myself and be ready for that shot.

我能調整位置，準備迎接射門。

So as you can see,

如你所見，

I've been a design thinker for nearly all my life.

我幾乎這一生都在當設計思考者。

My observation skills have been honed so that I pick up on things

我的觀察力經年累月地磨練， 能覺察其他人未能發現的東西。

that others would never pick up on.

My constant need to adapt has made me a great ideator

我需要不斷適應， 這使我擅於想像和解決問題。

and problem solver.

And I've often had to do this within limitations and constraints.

我經常必須在 受限的條件下完成工作。

This is something that designers also have to deal with frequently.

這也是設計師經常要處理的問題。

My work most recently took me to Haiti.

我最近到海地工作，

Design thinkers often seek out extreme situations,

設計思考者經常在尋找極端情況，

because that often informs some of their best designs.

因為這樣可以激發出他們 設計出最好的作品。

And Haiti -- it was like a perfect storm.

而海地——就像一場完美的風暴。

I lived and worked with 300 Deaf individuals

我和 300 位失聰人士 一起生活工作。

that were relocated after the 2010 earthquake.

他們是在 2010 年 地震後遷居至此。

But five and a half years later,

但五年半後，

there still was no electricity;

那裡仍然沒有電力供應，

there still was no safe drinking water;

仍然沒有安全的用水，

there were still no job opportunities;

仍然沒有工作機會，

there was still rampant crime, and it went unpunished.

犯罪仍然猖獗，但無人被懲處。

International aid organizations came one by one.

國際援助機構接續而來。

But they came

但他們到來時

with pre-determined solutions.

已有預定的解決方案，

They didn't come ready to observe and to adapt

他們並不打算實地觀察， 按照社區需求來提供服務。

based on the community's needs.

One organization gave them goats and chickens.

有一個組織提供他們山羊和小雞。

But they didn't realize

但他們沒有意識到

that there was so much hunger in that community,

社區中的飢餓問題如此嚴重。

that when the Deaf went to sleep at night and couldn't hear,

當失聰人士夜晚入睡時， 他們聽不到聲音。

people broke into their yards and their homes

小偷會潛入他們的院子，

and stole these chickens and goats,

偷走這些小雞和山羊，

and eventually they were all gone.

最後一隻也不剩。

Now, if that organization had taken the time

如果那個機構花時間

to observe Deaf people, to observe the community,

觀察失聰人士，觀察他們的社群，

they would have realized their problem

那機構便能意識到其問題。

and perhaps they would have come up with a solution,

或許，他們就會得到解決方法，

something like a solar light,

例如提供類似太陽能燈的東西，

lighting up a secure pen to put them in at night

能照亮晚間圈養動物的地方，

to ensure their safety.

來確保牠們的安全。

You don't have to be a design thinker

你不用成為設計思考者，

to insert the ideas I've shared with you today.

才能分享我今天跟各位分享的概念。

You are creative.

你有創作力。

You are a designer --

你就是個設計師——

everyone is.

每一個人都是。

Let people like me help you.

讓我們這些人幫助你。

Let people with disabilities help you look sideways,

讓殘疾人士幫你看前顧後，

and in the process,

並在過程中，

solve some of the greatest problems.

解決重要的問題。

That's it. Thank you.

就這樣。謝謝各位。

(Applause)

（掌聲）