iFriend — Empowering Visually Impaired Students
Fostering Empowerment, Independence, Belongingness. Beyond Limits...
Project
Design Thinking
yaer
2025
Overview
iFriend is a university-based community program designed to empower visually impaired students by fostering independence, skill development, and belonging. The initiative encourages peer learning in assistive technologies and languages to improve accessibility and inclusion within academic environments.
iFriend is a university-based community program designed to empower visually impaired students by fostering independence, skill development, and belonging. The initiative encourages peer learning in assistive technologies and languages to improve accessibility and inclusion within academic environments.
Research & Insights
Through secondary research and interviews with visually impaired students, educators, and experts, we uncovered critical social and emotional challenges faced by students in mainstream education systems.
Key Findings:
Feelings of isolation, loss of identity, and dependency on others
Limited access to assistive technologies and learning support
Stigma around performing tasks independently
Desire for peer connection and a sense of belonging
Through secondary research and interviews with visually impaired students, educators, and experts, we uncovered critical social and emotional challenges faced by students in mainstream education systems.
Key Findings:
Feelings of isolation, loss of identity, and dependency on others
Limited access to assistive technologies and learning support
Stigma around performing tasks independently
Desire for peer connection and a sense of belonging
Design Challenge
The logo design integrates clean geometry and bold symmetry, representing structural precision and modernity. The 45° angular construct adds energy and movement, reflecting the brand’s growth mindset and commitment to progress.
The logo design integrates clean geometry and bold symmetry, representing structural precision and modernity. The 45° angular construct adds energy and movement, reflecting the brand’s growth mindset and commitment to progress.
Ideation Process
During the ideation phase, we explored models of community-driven learning, focusing on inclusivity, accessibility, and mentorship.
Our brainstorming led to the concept of iFriend — a support ecosystem where students could learn Braille, English, and digital tools from both peers and visually impaired mentors.
During the ideation phase, we explored models of community-driven learning, focusing on inclusivity, accessibility, and mentorship.
Our brainstorming led to the concept of iFriend — a support ecosystem where students could learn Braille, English, and digital tools from both peers and visually impaired mentors.
Proposed Concept
A university-based learning and support program for visually impaired students that:
Builds confidence through assistive tech education
Promotes language learning (Braille & English)
Enhances social inclusivity and community belonging
Encourages peer mentorship and real-world readiness
A university-based learning and support program for visually impaired students that:
Builds confidence through assistive tech education
Promotes language learning (Braille & English)
Enhances social inclusivity and community belonging
Encourages peer mentorship and real-world readiness
View Full Research
© 2026 Rahul Saxena. All rights reserved.
© 2025 Rahul Saxena. All rights reserved.