The illustration title banner chosen for the STH, See To Hear Wearables, is a picture of 3 See to Hear Accessible Transparency Masks that is placed one behind the other to showcase the transparent plastic used to provide a fully transparent mouth coverage.

The purpose of the See To Hear Masks was to remove the communication barriers that Madison and her friends were daily experiencing.

When masks became mandatory in order to stop the spread of COVID-19, it added communication challenges, especially for those with Complex Communication Needs (CCN) such as people who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing, Speech Impediments, Low Vision, Mobility, Dexterity, and Cognitive needs. 

We have designed masks that provide a safe and better experience for everyone, particularly those with disabilities and accessibility needs. For several months, we have researched, designed, developed, and produced our “Made in Canada” See to Hear mask products. 

Our goals have always been clear and simple:

• To produce an accessible mask that provides protection and a better experience for everyone.

• To use inclusive design that aims at addressing the challenges experienced by children, seniors and people with disabilities and accessibility needs.  

• To support our Canadian Economy and our environment.

With the collaboration and support of our focus group, we gain insight into the design needs that were overlooked by other clear mask producers.  In addition, what we learned from our Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DHH)  Focus Group members was critical and valuable information that validated the functional features of the mask. 

Using an agile approach we required several iterations based on the design gaps that the focus group identified during the testing of prototypes.