Image
Image
With nine years' experience as an occupational therapist in Japan, I have supported people to overcome everyday challenges, including using various aids to using transport. My role involved assessing patients' cognitive and physical function, coordinating activities and providing personalised solutions when existing methods or products were inadequate. With a background in product design, I often created and modified tools to meet the individual needs of my patients, which fuelled my passion to enrol on the MSc in Design for Health and Wellbeing at the University of Limerick.
My advanced studies have equipped me with strategic approaches such as conducting thorough observations, synthesising data, and refining concepts to develop effective solutions. I am dedicated to enhancing the lives of individuals with diseases by collaborating closely with users and stakeholders. I aim to create innovative, user-centred design solutions that make everyday activities more accessible and manageable for those with physical or cognitive challenges.
You can get in touch with Ayuko via LinkedIn
PRODUCT DESCRIPTION
Although autistic children are frequent visitors to hospitals, healthcare facilities often lack spaces designed to meet their needs. My research has shown that sensory stimuli and unpredictable schedules make it difficult for them to wait, and many of them miss out on important consultations or tests. MeDi Harmony proposes the integration of therapeutic lighting with medical equipment to calm autistic patients and improve communication. By incorporating sensory lighting interactions in check-in areas, corridors and during weight and height measurements, hospital visits would not only be more enjoyable for autistic patients, but also more efficient for healthcare providers.
