changing the landscape
Co-designing prevention practice resources with diverse women and experts with lived experience of disability
the challenge
Changing the Landscape is a national, evidence-based resource by OurWatch and Women with Disabilities Victoria (WDV). It exists to guide the prevention of violence against women and girls with disabilities, naming ableism and gender inequality as the two consistent, intersecting drivers of violence (against women and girls with disabilities). It points to the many stakeholders that need to take action: from individuals to communities, schools and workplaces, to disability and health services, and governments.
In 2023, OurWatch identified a need to translate Changing the Landscape into action through specific practice-based resources for prevention practitioners, disability service professionals, and a general audience.
the process
Over the course of a 12-week co-design and consultation project, Samantha led OurWatch and Paper Giant to collaborate with WDV, WDV Experts by Experience, Prevention Practitioners, Disability Support Workers and a Project Advisory Group. Each advisor and participant was recognised as a critical stakeholder in co-design and prototyping.
Using qualitative methods and participatory approaches, Samantha facilitated 10 interactive workshops, generative research, synthesis and iterative prototyping. Together with Paper Giant and OurWatch, the project team were able to refine ideation into practice concepts. All engagements were designed to accommodate equality, accessibility and inclusion, as best possible.
The outcome
Informed by an intersectional approach, Samantha worked with Paper Giant and Our Watch to articulate the difference between foundational (general) knowledge of prevention, and actionable (specific) behaviour change. Delivered as a concept brief, Samantha presented OurWatch and WDV with a variety of practice resources to take to development. Key to the recommendation was a way to meet diverse audiences at varied stages of their learning journey when engaging with Changing the Landscape.
The final delivery also included a suite of illustrated concepts to: build awareness of Changing the Landscape, articulate the drivers of violence against women and girls with disability, engage with primary prevention actions as a solution, and, understand the actions and attitudes to help realise the vision of Changing the Landscape.