Personas

The user (person with certain functional impairments)

Why the user (person with certain functional impairments) persona?

Based on our product idea to create a solution that can unify scheduling, communication and other needs in connection to the coordination of a person with a certain functional impairments life – we have identified three main user groups. 

One of the main user groups  is the user, that is the person with a certain functional impairments. This user group is the main user group where all other user groups are sub-groups under. 

The user can be someone that lives at a LSS accommodation, someone that works at a “dagligverksamhet” or has a need to coordinate their activities in connection to their life. 

The user is entitled to a life of independence where they have a right according to law to study, work and have a meaningful life. They are also entitled to a social lifestyle and should be able to be part of a cultural and social life.
To support them with this the user is dependent on both sub user groups, the assistant and the relatives.
As mentioned in the assistant persona, they are responsible to create an implementation plan and realise it. 

Based on the above, the user, is a given user group of our product. 

How did we come up with the user persona?

To establish the persona for the user we started with data collection:
Since we in the group have a personal relationship and experience we are basing the persona of the user from our own experience and knowledge. 

The assistant

Why the assistant persona?

Based on our product idea to create a solution that can unify scheduling, communication and other needs in connection to the coordination of a person with certain functional impairments life – we have identified three main user groups. 

One of the user groups  is the assistant that has a central role in the Life of a person with certain functional impairment. They are the spider in the web – communicating with both the person with a certain functional impairment and their relatives. 

You can see the assistant, as the coordination central, the hub, for all planning, scheduling and communication. They are the ones that are responsible of making the life easier and making sure that these individuals have the same human rights as a “normal” person.
The assistants also have the obligation to observe silence, in relation to the person with functional impairment.
To make sure that this happens the assistants plans and creates an individual implementation plan, based on the specific needs of the person with a certain functional impairment.

Based on the above, the assistant, is a given user group of our product. 

How did we come up with the assistant persona?

To establish the persona for the assistant we started with data collection:
Browsing the web:
Profiles used to recruit personnel working at a LSS accommodation

Interviews: 
Interviewing two assistants that are working at an LSS accommodation.

Interview questions & answers:

Describe yourself in relation to your profession?

We both like to work with people and have conducted this line of work our entire carrier.

Briefly describe a day at work.

We work according to planned “efforts” that are based on our implementation plan for each individual.
These implementation plans are based on the specific needs that each individual have at the LSS accommodation. 

What systems/applications are you using today for communication / scheduling?

Today we use the phone or e-mail  to communicate verbally or via text message,  with both the residents and relatives. 

Do you think that communication can be improved with relatives / users?

The communication with the residents at the LSS accomodation is working good, the communication with relatives needs to improve. 

How do you think the communication can be improved?

That there is a way to communicate easily from both ends. 

Describe how you typically do when booking activities?

If we have events planned we give the individuals at the LSS accomodation an invitation with pictures legible text. 

Describe how you do schedule changes? How do you notify a relative / user of any changes?

We do the changes with the individuals at the LSS accommodation and anchor it with relatives when needed (via e-mail or phone). 

Do you know of any other digital tools that is out on the market but not used?

No

What do you think about the idea for our product?

It is a good idea, but you need to think about the silence duty that we as assistants have. The individuals at the LSS accomodation don’t want their relatives to know everything.   

What functionality would you like to see in this type of solution/product?

Communication feature between us as assistants and relatives.
Schedule/calendar features. 

The relative

Why the relative persona?

Based on our product idea to create a solution that can unify scheduling, communication and other needs in connection to the coordination of a person with a certain functional impairments life – we have identified three main user groups. 

One of the user groups is the relative, that is a requester of time with the person with a certain functional impairment and communicates with their assistant.
The relative can be a parent, sister or brother, aunt or uncle, niece or nephew.  

When we talk about being a requestor of time, we mean that they want to have the opportunity to schedule activities together with the person with a certain functional impairment. 

The relatives can also give input to the assistants to help them create the individuals implementation plans. An example can be the specific needs of the person with a certain functional impairment , doctors appointments needed or other activities that can be related to the implementation plan. 

Based on the above, the relative, is a given user group of our product. 

How did we come up with the relative persona?

To establish the persona for the relative we started with data collection:
Since we in the group have a personal relationship and experience we are basing the persona of the relative from our own experience and knowledge.

Interviews: 
Interviewing two relatives that have a sister with Down syndrome that lives at a LSS accommodation.

Interview questions & answers:

Describe yourself in relation to the given situation ?

We are older sisters to Gabriella, that has Down Syndrome.
We both try to be very involved in Gabriella’s implementation plan and the activities that is connected to her. Daniella is also taking care of all aspects of her economy, paying bills, savings etc. 

What systems/applications are you using today for communication / scheduling?

Today we use the phone, to text or call.
Sometimes we use e-mail if it is something more formal that is needed, like doctors appointments, complaints, feedback etc. 

Do you think that communication can be improved with assistants and users?

The communication with the assistants are ok if it is just between the two of us, example, give 1-to-1 input, feedback or just get information.
But the problem starts when it comes to matters involving Gabriella. In this case we don’t only have one sender and one receiver situation,, we have multiple senders and receivers – and it can be messy, with many misunderstandings. 

How do you think the communication can be improved?

A solution that unifies all communication and coordination – not using multiple different solutions to get to one common goal.

Describe how you typically do when booking activities?

Talk to Gabriella if she wants to do something – if she is up for it we text the assistants common phone (one number for the hole LSS accommodation). The assistant checks the accomodation calendar and Gabriellas calendar – they then get back to us if it is ok or not. 

Describe how you do schedule changes? How do you notify a assistants / user of any changes?

Send a text or call.

Do you know of any other digital tools that is out on the market but not used?

No

What do you think about the idea for our product?

It is a good idea, there are some frustrations with the current set-up.  

What functionality would you like to see in this type of solution/product?

Communication feature between us as assistants and relatives.
Schedule/calendar features.