Guiding Principles 

Guiding Principles and Methods

This resource is being developed as part of the fulfillment of the M.Ed. programme, specifically in relation to the inaugural Accessibility and Technology course with Professor Rob Power. 

The DRASTIC resource will: 

Explain and Analyze Sensory Barriers as an Accessibility issue

The Negative Impact of Sensory Barriers in the workplace/learning environment is compounded by a lack of understanding about these barriers from those in the Neuromajority (those whose sensory experiences are statistically “typical”). 

Broaden Schema and Motivate Learners with a Storytelling Approach 

By featuring a variety of contributions from fellow advocates within the Autistic community, this resource will help to expand the schema of readers who may not otherwise have firsthand access to the authentic perspectives of those who face ongoing barriers related to sensory differences, including me. The aim is to provide authentic insights into our lived realities so those seeking to be allies to the Autistic community, and anyone who faces sensory barriers (temporarily or permanently) can be better understood. By humanizing the impact of sensory barriers, the likelihood of allies taking action to address these barriers will arguably increase.

Meet the Diverse Needs of Adult Learners

Since the goal is to effect real change in the workplace, it is postulated that this repository of stories, the Digital Repository of Autistic Sensory Truths, Insights and other Contributions (DRASTIC) will meet the diverse needs of adult learners better than a traditional paper might, based on the Principles of Andragogy, also known as Adult Learning Theory.

How DRASTIC Supports Adult Learners

1. Self-Directed: Making DRASTIC available in this format allows adult learners to plan how and what they access for their own learning and evaluate what they will refer to later as a workplace tool (e.g., selecting a video to share at a staff meeting to build workplace awareness about the need for a sensory-friendly workplace).

2. Experience: With diverse entry points and prior knowledge, adult learners can leverage what they know, and make independent decisions related to their learning when accessing DRASTIC. It is up to them what they add to their schema about sensory barriers, and they decide what they do with what they learn from the stories and impact accounts. 

3. Relevant: By providing real-life, personal stories and other contributions from diverse Autistics about their sensory experience and workplace barriers, DRASTIC is immediately relevant for all workplaces and stakeholders. These are real stories from real people who have experienced these barriers firsthand. Additionally, since most training that professionals have received about Autistics has historically come from organizations which are not Autistic led, adult learners are being provided with meaningful access to learning to which they may not otherwise have exposure. Importantly, DRASTIC is not one Autistic’s truth. It includes multiple Autistics from various places and perspectives communicating their sensory truths. The instructional decision to include multiple perspectives therefore serves to broaden understanding about sensory barriers, but also will likely expand the learners’ conceptual understanding of what it means to be Autistic, thereby countering the harmful deficit-based assumptions that persist due to stereotypes, improper representation in the media and outdated pathologized models that are still commonly associated with Autism 

4. Problem-centred:  By hearing Autistic truths and learning from our impact accounts, adult learners will be presented with a real and immediate problem which many may not have even known existed. If they have assumed their sensory experience is the same as everyone else, then hearing these stories could potently be very powerful learning, and unlearning. Moreover, this new knowledge comes with real responsibility because real humans are telling adult learners that sensory barriers and the lack of understanding of these barriers are causing harm each and every day. It is hoped that an epiphany of sorts occurs and causes learners to recognize the problem,  challenge their own thinking and seek to be a part of creating more sensory-friendly spaces, not just by design, but also with new insights and empathy into the experiences of those whose sensory experiences are different from their own,  After all, when someone does not have any personal understanding of an accessibility barrier, they may not even know it is a barrier for those around them.  

The DRASTIC Potential

The Digital Repository of Autistic Sensory Truths, Insights and other Contributions (DRASTIC) works in 3 ways: 

1) DRASTIC provides access to insights of those who experience the world differently so non-Autistics can learn to empathize and even use the resource to become active allies as they amplify the voices represented 

2) DRASTIC becomes a pool of data from which to launch additional research on Autistic lived realities. This may also inspire additional layers to this growing repository(e.g., start with Sensory, then move to Communication, etc).

3) DRASTIC amplifies authentic perspectives of Autistics, thereby helping to ensure we are heard and can share our perspectives in our own ways. (Honours our Human Rights as aligned with the UN-CRPD, our rights to Agency, Self-Determination and in the spirit of #NothingAboutUsWithoutUs)

DRASTIC Transformative Impact and Next Steps

As a repository of Autistic lived truths about our sensory experiences, DRASTIC also provides Autistic advocates, educators and researchers, additional content on which to base Autistic-led research and further Advocacy efforts so each of us can draw upon our fellow neurokin’s stories when advocating instead of feeling like the only voice. 

With an open-access repository of Autistic Sensory Truths, there is immense potential: 

1) Autistics are empowered to advocate in ways which are safe and accessible to them (as contributors or as those viewing the site, DRASTIC can be referred to and shared with family and colleagues, employers, used for further research, training or when making accommodation requests)

2) Embedding authentic voice into professional development experiences to expand schema and build empathy of employees and teams (DRASTIC could be the WHY they need). 

3)Sets a foundation for further Sensory Inclusion efforts. Every story told helps to expand schema about what it means to be Autistic, and as an online open-access tool, it can also be developed in stages and grow transformatively, impacting those who access it, and empower those who contribute.

Whether for personal learning or professional development, DRASTIC is designed to enhance understanding and empathy about different sensory experiences and diverse Autistic realities for allies and those seeking to better understand their own sensory experiences. Its evolution as a valuable, accessible advocacy and educational tool will be determined in community, but the powerful impact on many contributors has already been witnessed, as several have reported feeling empowered, motivated to share more, excited for our stories to be told and honoured to be in such Ausome company. May our stories inform unlearning, contribute authentic voice to research, broaden schema and inspire real action resulting in Sensory Inclusion.