DHH Graduate Spotlight: Amna & Ariana

Amna & Ariana @ the OCAD U Graduate Exhibition

From Thursday May 7 to Sunday May 11, 2025, PDSB graduates and You Are Hear mentors Amna Dada and Ariana Sehra showcased their thesis projects at OCAD (Ontario College of Art and Design) University in Toronto after completing their Bachelor of Design (BDes) programs in Graphic Design and Environmental Design: Interior Design, respectively. Amna focused on accessible design in education by creating a teacher's resource guide, student flashcards, and storybooks for children, while Ariana conceptualized an accessible and sustainable boardwalk design for the Toronto waterfront. Both students put an incredible amount of work and thoughtful detail into their projects, so we want to congratulate them for all that they have accomplished!

Ms. Chan and Mr. Smith had a wonderful time visiting the Graduate Exhibition on Saturday May 10th and were delighted to see Amna and Ariana's innovative work! For more information on the event, please visit the OCAD website here. See photos of their visit to the exhibition below.

Amna and Mr. Smith in front of her exhibit focusing on accessible design in education

Ms. Sehra, Ms. Massey (Ariana's DHH Itinerant Teacher from elementary school), Ariana, and Ms. Chan in front of her exhibit focusing on an accessible and sustainable boardwalk design for the Toronto waterfront

Amna and family in front of her exhibit

Ariana and family under the sculpture that Ariana designed to decorate the Graduate Exhibition

Ariana and Mr. Smith in front of her exhibit with Ariana's OCAD U professor

Amna and Ms. Chan in front of her accessible classroom resources

Amna and Mr. Smith in front of her accessible classroom resources

Ms. Chan, Ariana, and Ms. Massey in front of her exhibit with Ariana's OCAD U professor

If you are artistic, you might consider OCAD University as a pathway after high school. You can read more about OCAD U's programs on their website here. If you have any questions about their experiences at OCAD U, you can submit a question to Amna and Ariana here. Read more about Ariana's experience at OCAD U below.

Ariana's Experience at OCAD U

My experiences in the Environmental Design: Interior Design program at OCAD U have been nothing short of enriching, allowing me to fully express myself through design. My professors at OCAD were very open to working with me despite my hearing challenges. I believe that being vocal and open about it helps others become aware and understand the best methods of communicating with you.

My time here allowed me to develop a thesis project rooted in my experience with hearing loss, which ultimately evolved into a project aligned with climate and sustainability issues, thus highlighting how our infrastructure often overlooks accessibility. City planners have failed to create a built environment where everyone feels heard. My hearing loss has helped me recognize flaws that others might overlook. My goal in architectural design and landscape/urban planning is to break away from these conventional norms and propose inclusive designs that represent everyone’s stories, whether human or part of the natural world.

In school, I’ve faced the same challenges since the beginning of my academic journey. Hearing from a distance has always been difficult. However, I’ve managed it by sitting up front or using hearing-assistive devices like an FM system, which are incredibly helpful for learning. Understanding your needs is crucial so you can clearly communicate them to others. I also used note-taking services during my time here, which helped me catch anything I missed.

I understand the anxiety that comes with transitioning from secondary to post-secondary (I was once in that position). But once you get the hang of things and learn to manage your needs, everything starts to fall into place and becomes easier.

If I missed out on something I would go home and research. The main barriers came from not hearing everything that professors said or feeling left out at times. But it was important to make connections with other classmates so that they could also help with learning. I didn’t let the challenges prevent me from doing what I wanted to do, didn’t let it get in the way of my creative/ design visions I had for various projects.

I think the experience varies from person to person, but the important thing is to keep doing what you enjoy and maintain a strong mindset to work hard.

Through consistent effort and a commitment to doing my best despite the challenges, I was proud to earn a scholarship which is an achievement that reflects the hard work I’ve put into my studies and personal growth.

If you are interested in knowing more about the thesis, please visit my e-portfolio page here.

Report abuse