- The Connectivity Model was created by Kang and Satterfield in a university UXD course for senior students to engage the autistic target audiences in the design process. 

- The connectivity model collects data in social, emotional, behavioral, and motivational areas, allowing users with cognitive disabilities and autism to participate in the design process. Other than identifying the limitation and constraints of the given audience, the model also further considers the habits and preferences of a certain population.

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Arizona State University

Challenges of collecting feedback and data from users with disabilities or autism in the user experience design process. Due to the difficulties in cognitive and behavioral activities, users with disabilities or autism are unable to participate in most of the traditional research processes. Moreover, institutional regulations and ethical concerns could also limit them from participating. The lack of opinions and data from vulnerable groups could create further marginalization and cause more issues in their daily lives.

User Participatory Methods for Inclusive Design and Research in Autism: A Case Study in Teaching UX Design

- Participatory research methods. (n.d.). participatesdgs.org. https://participatesdgs.org/methods/

- Satterfield, D., & Fabri, M. (2017, July). User participatory methods for inclusive design and research in autism: A case study in teaching UX design. ResearchGate. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/317174621_User_Participatory_Methods_for_Inclusive_Design_and_Research_in_Autism_A_Case_Study_in_Teaching_UX_Design

- About Participatory Methods. (n.d.). participatorymethods.org. https://www.participatorymethods.org/page/about-participatory-methods#:~:text=Participatory%20methods%20(PMs)%20include%20a,that%20their%20voices%20shape%20outcomes

- Participatory action research. (n.d.). Participatory Methods. https://www.participatorymethods.org/glossary/participatory-action-research

- Participatory video (PV). (n.d.). Participate. https://participatesdgs.org/methods/participatory-video-pv/

- Digital storytelling (DST). (n.d.). Participate. https://participatesdgs.org/methods/digital-storytelling-dst/

- Theatre for development (TFD). (n.d.). Participate. https://participatesdgs.org/methods/theatre-development-tfd/

- Photovoice. (n.d.). Participate. https://participatesdgs.org/methods/photovoice/

- Reality check approach. (n.d.). Participate. https://participatesdgs.org/methods/reality-check-approach/



Participatory Methods References

The Connectivity Model

- California State University Long Beach launched an online course, DESN 482: Research Methods for Inclusive UX Design, and it contained an assignment project named Play•IT. This project targeted designing an educational game to address the social, communication, and behavior skills needed by children with autism as they interact and play with neurological typical peers on an equal basis. The goal of this assignment project was to design educational games for both children without autism and children with autism. The games could be played alone and also involve multiple players. During the game, children could receive the opportunity to develop their cognitive and behavioral skills and it also created emotional bonds between the players. Moreover, the games were not branded as products for children with autism, instead, the creators encourage everyone to play and learn. The model supported students in identifying the social, emotional, behavioral, physical, and motivational needs of the target audience. 
- In the future, the format of the Play•IT project could be applied in more scenarios.

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