Marek Kuźmiński
Winner of travel grant of DKK 30.000.
Fostering Empathy, Inclusivity and Self-Cofidence through Universal Design: Nurturing Self-Esteem and Self-Confidence in Children with congenital upper limbs amputation
Marek Kuźmiński’s problem statement is: How can the active involvement of children born with congenital upper limb differences in the design of their prosthetic devices contribute to their psychological well-being, empower their families, foster inclusive educational paradigms, and influence societal perception?
Marek plans to investigate this through a series of interviews and workshops with children and their families focused on well being, self-esteem and self-confidence. As well as through lectures and workshop with design students how to create more inclusive and universal product with focus on limb amputation and research at the institution related to children with disabilities.
Marek plans to conduct his investigation in the fall of 2024.
Watch the pitch below.
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Marek Kuźmiński
's investigation
Marek has started his investigation in India and Nepal. Below you can read posts along the way from his journey where he describes the experiences he has had and what he has learned so far.
October 2024
Danish Design Award nomination
Marek has been nominated for this years Danish Design Awards for his project “HandsUp”.
“HandsUp” focuses on boosting self-esteem and confidence in children by involving them in the playful design of their prostheses.
The project allows children to co-design their own “Super Power hands,” transforming their disabilities into sources of strength – abilities. Using creative tools, children design their prostheses, visualize them in Virtual Reality, and turn them into 3D-printed models by bioengineers from AutoMedPrint. This hands-on involvement gives children ownership of their prosthesis, enhancing their self–esteem and helping them face daily challenges with confidence.
The project also facilitates important conversations between children, parents, and professionals about their futures. By creating a supportive environment, “HandsUp” addresses practical needs and helps children and their families embrace their unique abilities.
The thesis project is made in collaboration with AutoMedPrint.
Learn more here: https://danishdesignaward.com/nominee/handsup/
New Delhi, India
My research trip to India and Nepal, supported by the Bevica Fonden –Travelling Grant, began on December 9th.
I arrived in New Delhi – my first stop, where I was warmly welcomed by my friend Daksh Chhillar, thanks to connections made during my International Master Studies at Designskolen Kolding. Having support in a new country, especially one I was visiting for the first time, was incredibly reassuring.
The focus of my research, Embracing Self-Esteem and Self-Confidence in Children with Disabilities, brought me to India to explore this topic in depth. My goal was to understand the cultural and systemic differences and to investigate how Social Design, alongside Inclusive and Universal Design principles, could contribute to fostering self-esteem and confidence in children with disabilities. To gain deeper insights, I visited Design University – The Design Village in Noida, near New Delhi. This visit provided a remarkable opportunity to engage with students and staff at the university, located in an extraordinary setting and architectural space. I had in-depth discussions with about the history of the institution, its curriculum, and whether there is room for Universal and Inclusive Design in their programs. Additionally, I connected with Mudita Pasari, a PhD student, who shared the structure of their academic programs and insights into her research about how Design and Designers influence the way collectives of people think about categorisations and extremes, making the often missed quasi-in-betweens visible.
I was also fortunate to supervise student projects, witnessing firsthand the creativity and dedication in their work. Their innovative ideas and approaches left a lasting impression on me.
However, during my trip, I faced an unexpected challenge when I fell ill. Once again, Daksh stepped in to help, taking me to the hospital, where I received excellent care from the medical team. It was a reminder that even with meticulous planning, unforeseen circumstances can arise. Thankfully, I have fully recovered and am continuing my research journey and travels across India.
Thank you so much for warm welcome and contribution to my research trip. Bevica Fonden, The Design Village, Mudita Pasari, Souvik M., Saijal Choudhary,Daksh Chhillar.
Mumbai, India
The well-being of children with disabilities is a crucial topic requiring greater attention, awareness, and support. Ensuring access to appropriate resources, specialists, and environments is vital for their development and growth into confident individuals. Many organizations are doing remarkable work to meet the needs of children with disabilities. Beyond teaching essential skills and building self-confidence, they challenge societal perceptions, redefining disabilities as unique abilities. These organizations also empower parents by providing them with the tools to explore new possibilities for their children.
As part of my research, I immersed myself in the diverse environments these children navigate, with a particular focus on visiting institutions. This hands-on experience deepened my understanding and paved the way for the next stages of my research study.
During my visits, I met with Dr Dipti Gandhi, founder and CEO of the Muskan Foundation for People with Multiple Disabilities (MDVI), and Shambhavi Gandhi and observed the institute’s daily work. Teachers provide critical support to children while empowering parents to meet their children’s needs effectively. Dr. Gandhi highlighted the institute’s role in fostering development and inclusion for children with multiple disabilities.
I also met Barsha Banerjee and Jaanki J. from the Perkins School for the Blind (Perkins India) to discuss how Indian schools and organisations support children with disabilities. Our conversation emphasized the importance of standardized programs, legislation, and shared platforms for mutual learning to address challenges and drive change.
These discussions reaffirmed my belief in the transformative power of dedicated individuals and organizations. With the right support, children with disabilities can thrive in nurturing environments that build their self-esteem and confidence. From my perspective, incorporating the principles of Social Design and Universal Design into the conversation is essential for driving meaningful and inclusive change.
Later in Mumbai, I met with Prakriti Mishra, Poonam Pardesi and Jaanki J. at Perkins India office. Their work connects schools and institutions, focusing on legislation and system-building to create impactful, sustainable change through collaboration.
The people I encountered during my research gave me hope for a future where no one is left behind. Thanks to the tireless efforts of these organizations and individuals, change is not only possible but already underway.
A heartfelt thanks to Bevica Fonden for the travel grant – scholarship, without which continuing this research would not have been possible.
