Community Inclusion Space
Community Inclusion Space
Community Inclusion Space
Community Inclusion Space
Create an experience that enables people with neurodiversity to foster connections with the local community
Create an experience that enables people with neurodiversity to foster connections with the local community
Create an experience that enables people with neurodiversity to foster connections with the local community
Create an experience that enables people with neurodiversity to foster connections with the local community
The project tackles the issue of social inclusion for BACI's pod leaders, who face challenges in community engagement due to limited interaction opportunities and prevalent social barriers. This project delved into understanding the intricacies of community interaction, with a focus on fostering inclusive spaces, leveraging art to build meaningful connections.
The project tackles the issue of social inclusion for BACI's pod leaders, who face challenges in community engagement due to limited interaction opportunities and prevalent social barriers. This project delved into understanding the intricacies of community interaction, with a focus on fostering inclusive spaces, leveraging art to build meaningful connections.
The project tackles the issue of social inclusion for BACI's pod leaders, who face challenges in community engagement due to limited interaction opportunities and prevalent social barriers. This project delved into understanding the intricacies of community interaction, with a focus on fostering inclusive spaces, leveraging art to build meaningful connections.
The project tackles the issue of social inclusion for BACI's pod leaders, who face challenges in community engagement due to limited interaction opportunities and prevalent social barriers. This project delved into understanding the intricacies of community interaction, with a focus on fostering inclusive spaces, leveraging art to build meaningful connections.
Role
Role
Pro Bono Service Designer
Pro Bono Service Designer
Team Members
Team Members
Nhi Nguyen, Amena Salman, Bill Gao, Bowie Rheault
Responsibilities
Responsibilities
In my senior design course, I was working with a team of 4 working together with BACI’s Service Design team. I did primary research working with BACI’s facilitators and secondary research and provide the design solution to the team.
In my senior design course, I was working with a team of 4 working together with BACI’s Service Design team. I did primary research working with BACI’s facilitators and secondary research and provide the design solution to the team.
Outcome
Outcome
I came up with the pod print concept to showcase art made by BACI pod leaders and create a merchandise brand representing the pod leaders.
I came up with the pod print concept to showcase art made by BACI pod leaders and create a merchandise brand representing the pod leaders.
Background
Background
What is BACI?
What is BACI?
BACI, or the Burnaby Association of Community Inclusion, is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting individuals with developmental disabilities*. BACI employs over 400 staff members and provides a broad range of services, ranging from housing assistance and child care programs, designed to cater to the needs of people of all ages with developmental disabilities. BACI’s core mission is to increase social awareness and affect change in the way people with disabilities are viewed in our society.
BACI, or the Burnaby Association of Community Inclusion, is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting individuals with developmental disabilities*. BACI employs over 400 staff members and provides a broad range of services, ranging from housing assistance and child care programs, designed to cater to the needs of people of all ages with developmental disabilities. BACI’s core mission is to increase social awareness and affect change in the way people with disabilities are viewed in our society.
*group of conditions due to an impairment in physical, learning, language, or behavior areas that impact day-to-day functioning, and usually last throughout a person's lifetime
*group of conditions due to an impairment in physical, learning, language, or behavior areas that impact day-to-day functioning, and usually last throughout a person's lifetime
Background
Background
What is Community Inclusion (CI) Spaces?
What is Community Inclusion (CI) Spaces?
Spaces for Community Inclusion, as utilized by BACI, are designed to support adults in designated groups, referred to as pods*, to engage and participate in a variety of events and activities within their local communities.
Spaces for Community Inclusion, as utilized by BACI, are designed to support adults in designated groups, referred to as pods*, to engage and participate in a variety of events and activities within their local communities.
*group of 3-4 supported individuals called Pod Leaders
*group of 3-4 supported individuals called Pod Leaders
Field observation
Field observation
Field observation
Field observation
barriers to meaningful community interaction
barriers to meaningful community interaction
barriers to meaningful community interaction
barriers to meaningful community interaction
When pod leaders are in the BACI spaces, its mainly to just hang out or used as a pseudo computer labs. They usually aren’t engaging in activities or developing any skills. On the flip side when they’re operating as a group outdoors, more often than not, pod leaders aren’t getting much interaction with locals or creating new relationships.
When pod leaders are in the BACI spaces, its mainly to just hang out or used as a pseudo computer labs. They usually aren’t engaging in activities or developing any skills. On the flip side when they’re operating as a group outdoors, more often than not, pod leaders aren’t getting much interaction with locals or creating new relationships.
When pod leaders are in the BACI spaces, its mainly to just hang out or used as a pseudo computer labs. They usually aren’t engaging in activities or developing any skills. On the flip side when they’re operating as a group outdoors, more often than not, pod leaders aren’t getting much interaction with locals or creating new relationships.
When pod leaders are in the BACI spaces, its mainly to just hang out or used as a pseudo computer labs. They usually aren’t engaging in activities or developing any skills. On the flip side when they’re operating as a group outdoors, more often than not, pod leaders aren’t getting much interaction with locals or creating new relationships.
Driven from research insights, we decided to focus on pod leaders and their facilitators as our target audience.
Driven from research insights, we decided to focus on pod leaders and their facilitators as our target audience.
Driven from research insights, we decided to focus on pod leaders and their facilitators as our target audience.
1
1
The activities organized by the pods do not include any elements that promote interaction with the surrounding community.
The activities organized by the pods do not include any elements that promote interaction with the surrounding community.
2
2
There wasn’t a lot of programs or ways for the community to support pods
There wasn’t a lot of programs or ways for the community to support pods
3
3
Community events are great to go to but hard to find and tend to be exclusive.
Community events are great to go to but hard to find and tend to be exclusive.
I went to 3 CI spaces that are used to facilitate activities to the pod members. When pod members arrive at the studio, they can use these packages of crafts with manuals to do their activities during the day.
I went to 3 CI spaces that are used to facilitate activities to the pod members. When pod members arrive at the studio, they can use these packages of crafts with manuals to do their activities during the day.
I went to 3 CI spaces that are used to facilitate activities to the pod members. When pod members arrive at the studio, they can use these packages of crafts with manuals to do their activities during the day.
Targeted audience
Targeted audience
Targeted audience
Targeted audience
people in the CI spaces
people in the CI spaces
people in the CI spaces
people in the CI spaces
I interviewed pod facilitators, met weekly with the BACI design team, and visited the spaces to gather insights. Observing the community firsthand brought the most clarity about the people in the BACI spaces.
I interviewed pod facilitators, met weekly with the BACI design team, and visited the spaces to gather insights. Observing the community firsthand brought the most clarity about the people in the BACI spaces.
I interviewed pod facilitators, met weekly with the BACI design team, and visited the spaces to gather insights. Observing the community firsthand brought the most clarity about the people in the BACI spaces.
I interviewed pod facilitators, met weekly with the BACI design team, and visited the spaces to gather insights. Observing the community firsthand brought the most clarity about the people in the BACI spaces.
How do I get to know pod members? How can I understand their strengths/weaknesses and what they like/dislike?
How do I get to know pod members? How can I understand their strengths/weaknesses and what they like/dislike?
Pod facilitators often find it difficult to build meaningful relationships with members due to limited time and tools for deeper engagement.
I don’t know how to use some of the equipment inside the themed spaces.
I don’t know how to use some of the equipment inside the themed spaces.
Many facilitators feel unprepared to use the specialized equipment, which limits their confidence and ability to fully utilize the space.
Activities are constantly being repeated. It’s difficult to make activities that appeal to everyone and are different
Activities are constantly being repeated. It’s difficult to make activities that appeal to everyone and are different
Facilitators face challenges in designing diverse activities that meet a range of needs, resulting in repetitive programming.
User journeys
User journeys
User journeys
User journeys
focusing on Pod Facilitators
focusing on Pod Facilitators
focusing on Pod Facilitators
focusing on Pod Facilitators
Realizing that most Pod Facilitators are new to their position, we focused our journey maps on understanding how they come into the job and how they lead day-to-day activities.
Realizing that most Pod Facilitators are new to their position, we focused our journey maps on understanding how they come into the job and how they lead day-to-day activities.
Realizing that most Pod Facilitators are new to their position, we focused our journey maps on understanding how they come into the job and how they lead day-to-day activities.
Realizing that most Pod Facilitators are new to their position, we focused our journey maps on understanding how they come into the job and how they lead day-to-day activities.
Onboarding a new Pod Facilitator
Onboarding a new Pod Facilitator
This journey map outlines the first few weeks of a newly joined facilitator as they learn how to navigate the role and support their pod effectively.
This journey map outlines the first few weeks of a newly joined facilitator as they learn how to navigate the role and support their pod effectively.
A day in the life at CI spaces
A day in the life at CI spaces
This map captures the daily rhythm of a Pod Facilitator and Pod Leader that shape a typical day in the Community Inclusion spaces.
This map captures the daily rhythm of a Pod Facilitator and Pod Leader that shape a typical day in the Community Inclusion spaces.
Takeaway
Takeaway
Most people assume facilitating is just about running activities, but these maps show it's much more. It becomes clear that the Pod Facilitator role requires constant coordination, emotional labor, and adaptive decision-making. There is the need to find where systems and tools could better support the humans doing the supporting.
Initial concept exploration
Initial concept exploration
Initial concept exploration
Initial concept exploration
and what we learned
and what we learned
and what we learned
and what we learned
As we explored the early concepts, we realized our ideas were spread across too many directions. Regular check-ins with the team helped us narrow our focus and align on what mattered most.
As we explored the early concepts, we realized our ideas were spread across too many directions. Regular check-ins with the team helped us narrow our focus and align on what mattered most.
As we explored the early concepts, we realized our ideas were spread across too many directions. Regular check-ins with the team helped us narrow our focus and align on what mattered most.
As we explored the early concepts, we realized our ideas were spread across too many directions. Regular check-ins with the team helped us narrow our focus and align on what mattered most.
The Activity Wall
The Activity Wall
The activity wall is an interactive place where Pod Leaders can explore and decide different activities for their days.
The activity wall is an interactive place where Pod Leaders can explore and decide different activities for their days.
Feedback from BACI
Feedback from BACI
Overwhelming, tried in the past before, but it didn’t see much use. Didn’t push for engagement
The Community Map
The Community Map
The community map showcases fun local places and areas around the CI spaces for pods to visit.
The community map showcases fun local places and areas around the CI spaces for pods to visit.
Feedback from BACI
Feedback from BACI
Attempted in the past but fell off due to lack of sustained interest or clear purpose.
The Pod Book
The Pod Book
A group identity and individual profiles that focus on who they are as a person and important characteristics.
A group identity and individual profiles that focus on who they are as a person and important characteristics.
Feedback from BACI
Feedback from BACI
Faced issues with format, overlap with existing ISP profiles, and conflict with MyCompass platform features.
Refined direction
Refined direction
Refined direction
Refined direction
clarifying what meaningful connection really means
clarifying what meaningful connection really means
clarifying what meaningful connection really means
clarifying what meaningful connection really means
After exploring multiple early directions, we realized our initial question was too broad. Through feedback and synthesis, we reframed our focus to emphasize mutual collaboration and receptivity between pods and their surrounding community.
After exploring multiple early directions, we realized our initial question was too broad. Through feedback and synthesis, we reframed our focus to emphasize mutual collaboration and receptivity between pods and their surrounding community.
After exploring multiple early directions, we realized our initial question was too broad. Through feedback and synthesis, we reframed our focus to emphasize mutual collaboration and receptivity between pods and their surrounding community.
After exploring multiple early directions, we realized our initial question was too broad. Through feedback and synthesis, we reframed our focus to emphasize mutual collaboration and receptivity between pods and their surrounding community.
Participatory workshops
Participatory workshops
Participatory workshops
Participatory workshops
understanding community relationships more deeply
understanding community relationships more deeply
understanding community relationships more deeply
understanding community relationships more deeply
To explore our reframed question, we ran a series of participatory activities to better understand how pods currently engage with the community and what gets in the way.
To explore our reframed question, we ran a series of participatory activities to better understand how pods currently engage with the community and what gets in the way.
To explore our reframed question, we ran a series of participatory activities to better understand how pods currently engage with the community and what gets in the way.
To explore our reframed question, we ran a series of participatory activities to better understand how pods currently engage with the community and what gets in the way.
Participants: 2 BACI Designers, 3 Pod Facilitators, 1 Program Manager
Participants: 2 BACI Designers, 3 Pod Facilitators, 1 Program Manager
Participants: 2 BACI Designers, 3 Pod Facilitators, 1 Program Manager
Participants: 2 BACI Designers, 3 Pod Facilitators, 1 Program Manager
Post It Activity
Post It Activity
Identifying current relationships and the communities involved
Identifying current relationships and the communities involved
We wanted participants to start thinking about the different spaces they go. This gave us a list of areas that we could then group and identify trends.
We wanted participants to start thinking about the different spaces they go. This gave us a list of areas that we could then group and identify trends.
Mind Mapping
Mind Mapping
Analyzing current relationships & the problems involved when pods interact with the community
Analyzing current relationships & the problems involved when pods interact with the community
Participants now started to think about the positives and negatives in their relationship with the communities.
Participants now started to think about the positives and negatives in their relationship with the communities.
Round Robin
Round Robin
Exploring potential solutions from different perspectives
Exploring potential solutions from different perspectives
Round robins started to get people thinking about solutions and ideating on any concepts they had in mind. Moreover, it highlighted concerns that popped up from different ideas.
Round robins started to get people thinking about solutions and ideating on any concepts they had in mind. Moreover, it highlighted concerns that popped up from different ideas.
Insight synthesis
Insight synthesis
Insight synthesis
Insight synthesis
connecting needs, barriers, and opportunities
connecting needs, barriers, and opportunities
connecting needs, barriers, and opportunities
connecting needs, barriers, and opportunities
After the workshops, we analyzed the insights to uncover patterns in goals, challenges, and relationship dynamics. This helped us get into clearer design opportunities and begin brainstorming directions grounded in pod and facilitator needs.
After the workshops, we analyzed the insights to uncover patterns in goals, challenges, and relationship dynamics. This helped us get into clearer design opportunities and begin brainstorming directions grounded in pod and facilitator needs.
After the workshops, we analyzed the insights to uncover patterns in goals, challenges, and relationship dynamics. This helped us get into clearer design opportunities and begin brainstorming directions grounded in pod and facilitator needs.
After the workshops, we analyzed the insights to uncover patterns in goals, challenges, and relationship dynamics. This helped us get into clearer design opportunities and begin brainstorming directions grounded in pod and facilitator needs.
Abstraction Laddering
Abstraction Laddering
Challenge our preconceptions
Challenge our preconceptions
We used abstraction laddering to generate solution ideas directly from the deeper “why” behind our challenge.
Concept Ideation
Concept Ideation
Rose, thorn, bud
Rose, thorn, bud
We used the Rose-Thorn-Bud method to evaluate our early ideas and narrow in on the solutions with the most promise.
Key takeaway
Key takeaway
Key takeaway
Key takeaway
understand the problem
understand the problem
understand the problem
understand the problem
1
1
Misunderstandings about people with disability
Misunderstandings about people with disability
Pod leaders are often seen through the lens of their support needs, not their individual stories or creative potential, which limits how others engage with them.
-> By giving pod leaders space to share the meaning behind their creations, we saw an opportunity to challenge these assumptions through storytelling and authorship.
Pod leaders are often seen through the lens of their support needs, not their individual stories or creative potential, which limits how others engage with them.
-> By giving pod leaders space to share the meaning behind their creations, we saw an opportunity to challenge these assumptions through storytelling and authorship.
2
2
Lack of representation for people with disabilities
Lack of representation for people with disabilities
The work pod leaders create rarely carries their voice or identity beyond the CI space, making it difficult for the wider community to connect with who they are.
-> We began to imagine how their artwork could travel further with packaging and presentation that communicates both the creator and their story.
The work pod leaders create rarely carries their voice or identity beyond the CI space, making it difficult for the wider community to connect with who they are.
-> We began to imagine how their artwork could travel further with packaging and presentation that communicates both the creator and their story.
3
3
Insufficient opportunities to build connections with pod leaders
Insufficient opportunities to build connections with pod leaders
Without accessible ways for pod leaders to express themselves or participate in public-facing spaces, meaningful interactions with the local community remain out of reach.
-> This led us to explore a model where art becomes not just expression, but also sparking interactions through presence at public markets and shared spaces.
Without accessible ways for pod leaders to express themselves or participate in public-facing spaces, meaningful interactions with the local community remain out of reach.
-> This led us to explore a model where art becomes not just expression, but also sparking interactions through presence at public markets and shared spaces.
Market & Mingle
Market & Mingle
Market & Mingle
Market & Mingle
final concept
final concept
final concept
final concept
An open market fair hosted by BACI selling merch that is designed by pod leaders, inviting local shops and the general community.
An open market fair hosted by BACI selling merch that is designed by pod leaders, inviting local shops and the general community.
An open market fair hosted by BACI selling merch that is designed by pod leaders, inviting local shops and the general community.
An open market fair hosted by BACI selling merch that is designed by pod leaders, inviting local shops and the general community.
Guiding principles
Guiding principles
Guiding principles
Guiding principles
Encourage pod leaders to express their creativity and create arts that represents themselves
Use events as platforms to give recognition pod leaders and their talents
Helps promote BACI to the community and local business
Part 1 : Creating the Art
Part 1 : Creating the Art
Utilizing the amazing arts and crafts that Pod Leaders are already making turning into sellable goods.
Utilizing the amazing arts and crafts that Pod Leaders are already making turning into sellable goods.
Part 2: Event Setup
Part 2: Event Setup
Reaching out to the local community creates more opportunities for BACI and CI spaces to gain new partnerships and further old ones.
Reaching out to the local community creates more opportunities for BACI and CI spaces to gain new partnerships and further old ones.
Part 3: Community Mingling
Part 3: Community Mingling
Allows the community to visit and get to know BACI and the pod leaders in a fun environment. Pod Leaders are able to engage and meet new people in a familiar place.
Value proposition
Value proposition
Value proposition
Value proposition
empathetic over "solution-driven"
empathetic over "solution-driven"
empathetic over "solution-driven"
empathetic over "solution-driven"
While designing this concept, we kept coming back to the people at the center of it. Rather than designing a solution to a problem, we aimed to create a platform for empathy, expression, and relationship-building.
While designing this concept, we kept coming back to the people at the center of it. Rather than designing a solution to a problem, we aimed to create a platform for empathy, expression, and relationship-building.
While designing this concept, we kept coming back to the people at the center of it. Rather than designing a solution to a problem, we aimed to create a platform for empathy, expression, and relationship-building.
While designing this concept, we kept coming back to the people at the center of it. Rather than designing a solution to a problem, we aimed to create a platform for empathy, expression, and relationship-building.
Pod Leaders
Pod Leaders
Opportunity to show skills and have people understand him through a new lens
Opportunity to show skills and have people understand him through a new lens
Pod Facilitators
Pod Facilitators
Reaching out to the community for the fair help establish connections and partnerships that can evolve
Reaching out to the community for the fair help establish connections and partnerships that can evolve
Local Community
Local Community
Get connected with and support other people in the community and learn about BACI and the pods
Get connected with and support other people in the community and learn about BACI and the pods
Implementation
Implementation
Implementation
Implementation
Project coming into reality!
Project coming into reality!
Project coming into reality!
Project coming into reality!
After the proposal was presented, BACI recognized its potential and decided to implement it with some modifications. The project officially commenced in October 2022, marking a significant step towards enhancing community engagement and inclusion for pod leaders. This implementation phase reflects BACI's commitment to innovative solutions and its willingness to adapt ideas to better suit the needs of its community
After the proposal was presented, BACI recognized its potential and decided to implement it with some modifications. The project officially commenced in October 2022, marking a significant step towards enhancing community engagement and inclusion for pod leaders. This implementation phase reflects BACI's commitment to innovative solutions and its willingness to adapt ideas to better suit the needs of its community
After the proposal was presented, BACI recognized its potential and decided to implement it with some modifications. The project officially commenced in October 2022, marking a significant step towards enhancing community engagement and inclusion for pod leaders. This implementation phase reflects BACI's commitment to innovative solutions and its willingness to adapt ideas to better suit the needs of its community
After the proposal was presented, BACI recognized its potential and decided to implement it with some modifications. The project officially commenced in October 2022, marking a significant step towards enhancing community engagement and inclusion for pod leaders. This implementation phase reflects BACI's commitment to innovative solutions and its willingness to adapt ideas to better suit the needs of its community
Reflection
Reflection
Reflection
Reflection
humility, patience, and presence
humility, patience, and presence
humility, patience, and presence
humility, patience, and presence
This was my first project working on a social good initiative, and it left a deep impact on how I approach design. Collaborating directly with social workers and spending time with a vulnerable community taught me that designing in this space requires more than just creativity. It requires humility, patience, and presence. I learned to step back from rushing into solutions and instead focus on understanding people’s lived experiences, challenges, and aspirations.
Designing for social good isn’t about fixing. It’s about listening. I had to be mindful not to project my assumptions or biases and to constantly ask myself whether my design respected the people it aimed to serve. This project helped me shift my mindset from being solution-driven to being empathy-led. And that shift, I believe, is where truly meaningful design begins.
This was my first project working on a social good initiative, and it left a deep impact on how I approach design. Collaborating directly with social workers and spending time with a vulnerable community taught me that designing in this space requires more than just creativity. It requires humility, patience, and presence. I learned to step back from rushing into solutions and instead focus on understanding people’s lived experiences, challenges, and aspirations.
Designing for social good isn’t about fixing. It’s about listening. I had to be mindful not to project my assumptions or biases and to constantly ask myself whether my design respected the people it aimed to serve. This project helped me shift my mindset from being solution-driven to being empathy-led. And that shift, I believe, is where truly meaningful design begins.
This was my first project working on a social good initiative, and it left a deep impact on how I approach design. Collaborating directly with social workers and spending time with a vulnerable community taught me that designing in this space requires more than just creativity. It requires humility, patience, and presence. I learned to step back from rushing into solutions and instead focus on understanding people’s lived experiences, challenges, and aspirations.
Designing for social good isn’t about fixing. It’s about listening. I had to be mindful not to project my assumptions or biases and to constantly ask myself whether my design respected the people it aimed to serve. This project helped me shift my mindset from being solution-driven to being empathy-led. And that shift, I believe, is where truly meaningful design begins.
This was my first project working on a social good initiative, and it left a deep impact on how I approach design. Collaborating directly with social workers and spending time with a vulnerable community taught me that designing in this space requires more than just creativity. It requires humility, patience, and presence. I learned to step back from rushing into solutions and instead focus on understanding people’s lived experiences, challenges, and aspirations.
Designing for social good isn’t about fixing. It’s about listening. I had to be mindful not to project my assumptions or biases and to constantly ask myself whether my design respected the people it aimed to serve. This project helped me shift my mindset from being solution-driven to being empathy-led. And that shift, I believe, is where truly meaningful design begins.
© 2025 · Forged in the fires of “it worked on my machine” 🔥
© 2025 · Forged in the fires of “it worked on my machine” 🔥
© 2025 · Forged in the fires of “it worked on my machine” 🔥
© 2025 · Forged in the fires of “it worked on my machine” 🔥