PalettePass™
2025
Public Health
Visual Design, Accessible Design
Project Details
FigJam
Mural
After Effects (Reel)
Max Korten
Jen Stephens
Introduction
Designed specifically to support events for individuals with neurological differences (such as Autism, ADHD, Dyslexia, etc.), this platform aims to provide a more comfortable and tailored registration experience for these demographics. This case study was showcased at the Autism Spectrum & Developmental Disorder Pre-Conference.
The concept for PalettePass originated from Divertical, an organization dedicated to providing social opportunities for individuals on the autism spectrum. Currently, all Divertical events are hosted on Meetup.com, but as the organization expands and offers more events, both event organizers and attendees have encountered growing challenges with the Meetup platform.
Skills Involved
Challenges
Divertical's primary event platform, Meetup, does not offer features to display individual profile information related to autism or how to accommodate such specific needs.
Meetup's communication features are limited, with notifications only sent via email and no option for group messaging, hindering real-time communication.
There were concerns about inaccessible content, complicated navigation, and aesthetics that were not sensory-friendly.
Solutions
Questionnaire discussing user behavior in social settings, helping event organizers understand how to support its attendees more effectively during events.
Eliminated unnecessary travel by using collapsible sections to simplify access to key information, enabling users to easily find what’s most relevant to them.
Ensures accurate attendance by requiring attendees to confirm as the event approaches, allowing users to quickly contact the organizer for directions or assistance in reaching the event.
Disclaimer
The findings in this case study are derived from institutional research conducted at the request of Divertical staff. To ensure privacy, the content has been adjusted to protect the personal experiences and feedback of individuals with neurological differences.
research
Information Session
During these sessions, participants shared their experiences with the Meetup platform, as well as other technologies and resources used by individuals on the spectrum or with related neurological differences.
Discuss common pain points in RSVP platforms from an accessibility standpoint, then used that data to create solutions.
- Mural Orientation (1-2 min):
- Explanation of the digital canvas and interactive features.
- Step 1: Data Collection (8 min):
- Participants individually write responses to four focus group questions within 2 minutes per question.
- Step 2: Data Analysis/Clustering (8 min):
- Participants cluster sticky notes by main topics or themes.
- Analyze and group responses for each question sequentially.
- Step 3: Discussion (15-30 mins):
- Each participant has 1-2 minutes to speak, with others muted.
Note: Responses and personal data will remain confidential and will only be shared with designated team members (Max, Austin, Jen).
Survey
The Mural Exercise provided valuable insights, which we leveraged to design a survey for a broader audience. The survey covered topics such as accessibility features, health resources, social media, websites, and demographics.
Prioritize preferred design solutions that originated from focus group insights.
ideation
- Age: 30
- Location: Philadelphia, PA
- Neurological Difference: Autism
- Accessible Info: Simple event details and easy navigation
- Organized Events: Well-structured and clear opportunities
- Reliable Updates: Notifications or emails
- Curious & Open: Keen on exploring new opportunities
- Cautious & Skeptical: Evaluates website credibility
- Goal-Oriented: Seeks relevant events and community integration
product features
Event Page
Meetup offered very limited customization in presenting content, often overwhelming attendees with too much information at once and lacking flexibility in how details were displayed.
- Streamlined Navigation with Separate Tabs: Our app uses dedicated tabs for easy access to event details.
- Collapsible Sections: Key sections like "About," "Where to Meet," and "Tags" are featured at the top, reducing on-screen clutter.
- Organizer & Attendee Profiles: Users can view both organizers and attendees to get a sense of the community. Users can also contact organizers directly from the event page.
Palette Profile
Event organizers often rely on generalized classifications to understand attendees, which can overlook individual needs and strengths.
- Personalized Prompts: Questions about user's condition, social comfort levels, preferred group sizes, and any accommodations they might need.
- Spectrum Tags: Enables users to select tags representing their behaviors and skills, crafting a personalized profile that showcases their unique strengths and requirements.
RSVP Check-In System
Platforms like Meetup often see high RSVP rates but low actual attendance, leading to issues with space reservations and event preparations.
Our Solution
- RSVP Check-In System: Ensures accurate attendance by requiring attendees to confirm as the event nears.
- Automated Notifications: Attendees receive reminders to confirm attendance, helping organizers better anticipate actual turnout.
- Status Categories: Attendees who respond in time are added to the confirmed list, while those who don’t are marked as "No Answer" without being removed, allowing organizers to track them separately.
Live Event Chat
During events, timely communication with attendees is crucial, yet traditional platforms like Meetup only offer discussion boards, which can be inefficient for real-time updates.
- Live Event Chat Feature: Enables instant communication between attendees and organizers during events.
- Real-Time Support: Users can quickly contact the organizer for directions or assistance with getting to the event.
- Exclusive Access: Only those who RSVP'd can access the chat, ensuring relevant, focused communication among active participants.
accessibility
Color Contrast
Designed the app to meet the recommended 4.5:1 contrast ratio for text, enhancing readability and accessibility for users with low vision or color blindness.
Targeted Use of Shadows
To enhance usability, we've strategically introduced shadows, in order to improve the legibility of interactive components, as well as their statuses.
Rounded Corners
We've softened the sharp edges on our interactive components, creating a more approachable and user-friendly design.
end results
PalettePass was featured at the 2024 Autism Spectrum and Developmental Disorders SIG Preconference, held during the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies' annual national conference at the CHOP Roberts Center for Pediatric Research in Philadelphia. During the keynote presentation, we shared the design journey and conceptual framework behind the app. The audience included mental health professionals, researchers, and advocates for neurological differences, particularly autism.
Our primary goal was to ensure the project resonated with attendees. At our booth, we engaged participants in discussions about the platform and collected their feedback.
"All people want to feel understood and to connect with like-minded folks. The PalettePass app concept would provide this type of safe space for neurodivergent people to gather and to have their accessibility needs met. This app does a great job of balancing disclosure and privacy, and I think the high level of customization that the app offers will be particularly appealing to users."
ABCT ASDD Special Interest Group
“I am very impressed by the PallettePass app concept and design. As an autistic adult, making new social connections is complicated. Knowing what to expect in a social environment and having a way to share my support needs and preferences in advance would be such a helpful aid. Austin and his team’s approach to development is thoughtful and addresses a clear gap in the autistic and disabled community."
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill TEACCH Autism Program
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