SafeBlaze is a community-led auditing system, serving as an accessible tool to facilitate positive experiences for Trans and Gender Non-Conforming individuals in digital spaces.
Users are equipped for safe navigation as it clears the path ahead by flagging hazardous digital terrain and identifying safe spaces.
SafeBlaze offers a website and browser extension to host comprehensive evaluations of platform inclusivity policies, climate, and interfaces.
Accessible Information
Contributor and User Privacy
Community Empowerment
Platform audits are conducted by community members to increase transparency and to identify discrepancies between platform policies and real-world experiences.
Users are encouraged to anonymously share their own experiences with platforms through “Contributor Notes”.
Community involvement and ownership of the auditing and moderation process is the best method of ensure the tool aligns with the needs and values of those who use it.
Design Process
Problem Space
Transgender and gender-nonconforming individuals face multifaceted challenges that extend into online spaces, where a lack of supportive tools further exacerbates dysphoria and feelings of ostracization.
Roles
Researcher
UX/UI Designer
Product Designer
Web Developer
Tools
Figma
Sublime
Chrome Extension
WordPress
Research Method
Stakeholder Interviews
Industry Professional Interview
Competitive Analysis
Project Path
1. Literature Review
Conducted literature review to identify the key issues that trans and gender non conforming (GNC) people face in digital spaces.
2. Stakeholder Interviews
10 interviews with trans and GNC people about their experiences in digital spaces (curation of safe spaces, identifying hostile spaces, peer interactions, exploration of gender, representation).
3. Expert Interview
Interview with an inclusive design specialist to gather their insights into the current models of designing safe spaces, their methods, resources, and hopes for the future of inclusive digital platforms.
4. Digital Observational Study and Competitive Analysis
Audits of online spaces that trans and GNC individuals are interacting with, and ones they avoid based on stakeholder interviews. Competitive analysis of available tools facilitating safe interactions.
5. Data Analysis
Qualitative analysis of stakeholder and expert interviews, digital observational study, and competitive analysis of available digital tools.
6. SafeBlaze Filling the Gap
Research insights into what stakeholders want compared to what current tools lack allowed iteration on core ideals; community moderation, safety, accessibility.
Research Insights
The affinity map below is a diagram of qualitative findings of literature reviews, interviews, observational studies, and competitive analysis of available tools.
Key Themes: Self Expression, Interactions, Platform Environment, Representation, Current Digital Spaces
Main Takeaways:
The priorities of trans and gender non-conforming individuals are privacy, safety, and representation.
Community-led moderation is the most trusted and effective method to ensure a safe digital space.
Most of the few existing tools have limitations in their applications and impacts on the community.
Prototyping
Accessibility Considerations:
An important part of inclusive design is making accessibility considerations early in the design process. Besides maintaining proper HTML structure, alt text and labels, I had not yet solidified my accessibility approach. Before finalizing UI from my Figma prototype, a more thorough approach was necessary. The most important addition to the code was ARIA labels. I sought out additional feedback from an industry professional and avid extension user, and was advised to include a font size feature as most chrome extensions do not magnify with standard key controls. Another consideration is using radio buttons for the font selector instead of drop down menus as they are easier for screen readers and keyboard shortcut users. An additional labeled menu was added into the code for selecting font size. If the extension becomes more complex overtime more accessibility features might be needed.
Goals Met
SafeBlaze facilitates informed decisions while navigating digital spaces, empowering the trans and gender non-conforming community. The website provides comprehensive information for those who need it, while the extension provides more concise information which can eliminate the need for manual searches.
SafeBlaze is community centered and accessible!