Giving the Disabled Access to STEAM

STEAM will underpin most of what we do in the future, workwise and definitely in leisure, but some segments of society are still being left behind.

This is doubly true for the disabled and Monash Uni and Wallara are working to create tools and programs that will encourage inclusion.

TronicBoards, created by researchers from the Faculty of Information Technology (IT) at Monash, are a range of customised colour-coded printed circuit boards with large controls and recognisable symbols adapted to facilitate easy circuit making for diverse intellectual abilities.

Lead researcher Hashini Senaratne said a variety of simplified electronics toolkits are increasingly available to help people engage with technology.

“We developed TronicBoards as a curated set of electronic modules to address this gap in accessibility. These boards can be combined with conductive tape and other electronic components, including LEDs, vibration motors, buzzers and push buttons etc. to create and demonstrate working electronic circuits,” Ms Senaratne said.

The design of TronicBoards was informed by workshops conducted by co-author Dr Kirsten Ellis involving 148 adults living with intellectual disabilities. The participants were guided and supported by the researchers and support workers from various disability support organisations.

“We found that the participants, with varying degrees of support, were able to logically interact with the boards, complete workable circuits and in some cases were also able to add creativity and craft personally meaningful objects like adding lights to a mirror and a music box that can change melodies with a slide switch.”

To spread the word about TronicBoards, provide access to STEAM equipment and activities and to promote inclusivity around STEAM, Wallara and Monash University’s STEAM department are currently in the final stages of the design of a bus that will travel to all of Wallara’s day service sites to complement the current STEAM programs running at each site.

Later, the van will be adapted to travel around to primary and secondary schools, both special and mainstream.

“This is an exciting project that shows science and technology really can be for everyone. By travelling around to mainstream schools with Wallara participants on board it is also aimed at normalising the interaction of people with and without disability from a young age,” says Phil Hayes-Brown CEO, Wallara.

“The project is well underway and we are currently finalising our drivers and selecting our Wallara supported employees with a special interest in STEAM to assist in the roll out of the program.”

The STEAM bus is being designed with an access for all focus and will be fitted with ramps allowing access for clients in wheelchairs and with other mobility issues.

“The bus will be fitted out with laser printers, 3D Printers, Virtual Reality (VR) technology - you name it,” says Hayes-Brown.

The Participants in the program will visit the bus to access these technologies as well as other STEAM based projects which will be located in suitcase-type storage that can be taken and used externally to the bus.

“We have secured grant funding, are currently fitting out the bus. Once completed, we will first take it to school expos with the broader vision to then travel around to primary and secondary schools, both special and mainstream.”