Make it Heard.

 

Problem Collective Guidelines

Here, you will find the “Format or Structure” and a “Criteria: Must-Have but Not Limited To” guidelines.The Problem Collective requests a specific format or structure for visualization and storytelling. 

Followed by the “Criteria: Must-Have but Not Limited To” with examples consisting of a story, a problem, a disability (if applicable), a redesign or inclusion need, an inspirational perspective (if applicable/desired), and a photo for the blurb that is written by the Problem Collective. 

Please keep in mind, Problem Collective will create a title and a blurb. Once created, Problem Collective asks for a review and an approval of the title and blurb, promptly by the contributor.

Format or Structure

  • Contributors’ Introduction: (One Paragraph) For example: Feel free to include characteristics or personality traits.

  • Contributors’ Story: (Two Paragraph) For example: What, With Whom, Where, and Why? 

  • Contributors’ Disability and Detailed Description with an Example (if applicable):
    (2-3 Paragraphs) For example: poor vision will not let you read the restaurant menu because Ihe lighting is too dimmed and the lettering is so tiny.

  • Contributors’ Problem: (2-3 Paragraphs) For example: What happened? What is your trial and/or tribulation? What is not working inclusively for you in your environment, whether it’s emotional, physical, a public space or a social difference, a service or product, etc.

  • Contributors’ Inspirational Perspective (If Applicable/Desired): (One - Two Paragraph) For example: A stroke survivor is continuously promoting stroke awareness, taken from a blog on Problem Collective’s website, www.problemcollective.com, titled “The Comeback Journey.”

  • Problem Collective’s Redesign or Inclusive Need: No need to write anything here Problem Collective will take care of this!

Criteria: Must-Have but Not Limited To

An Introduction: Contributors’ personality, characteristics, beliefs, lifestyle, etc. (include any/all/or anything else worth sharing) Example as follows:

My name is Gloria. I’m 29 years old and I’m currently a student at Pasadena City College. I’m studying to be a marine biologist and school isn’t always easy. I also currently work at an aquarium and fish etc. store. Since I watch Netflix all the time, I stumbled upon a documentary called “My Octopus Teacher” and I said to myself, “No wonder, the store’s been selling octopuses like crazy!”

A Story: What, With Whom, Where, and Why? Example as follows:

Like I said, I watch a lot of Netflix, and so do my girlfriends. One night, me and my three female friends and I were having our first Girls’ Night In at my friend Gwen’s place. She popped some popcorn and popped open a bottle of Red. Then, she turned on the TV to our favorite streaming service, Netflix, to search for a movie. Prior to searching, all four of us discussed at length the movie we would watch. We decided on something cheesy and scary. The movie “Halloween” was perfect.

A Problem: What was the Problem? Example as follows:

We were throwing popcorn at each other and giggling like schoolgirls, as you do at a Girls’ Night In. After the rabble-rousing, we settled down and got comfortable. Gwen set the mood by dimming the lights and started the movie. (Please Choose: Without a Disability Or With a Disability)

  • However, I ran into a little bit of a problem: I had trouble with excessive sounds, because I have sensitive hearing, I can't handle too much volume! (Without A Disability) 

  • However, I ran into a little bit of a problem: I had trouble hearing it, because I can only hear out of one ear! (With A Disability)


A Disability (If applicable): Is there a disability involved in the problem? Please include any physical, mental, emotional descriptions, characteristics, or attributes. The more information the happier we are! Problem Collective aims to listen to and advocate the trials and tribulations of disabilities in an environment that is failing. Example as follows: 

Without a Disability

I have had sensitive hearing since I was young. I have a hard time hearing when the volume is loud. So when we started the movie, the volume was extremely high and the first sounds made my ears hurt terribly.

With a Disability 

I have a hearing disorder that is progressive and damages the hearing in my left ear. It commenced when I was 12. I cannot hear out of my left side at all. It seems almost comical at times because I can mishear things. There was one time, when I thought I heard my friend say: “pus,” but she really said “pills.” I suppose I didn’t hear the “l-L” due to my hearing. I usually laugh along, but simultaneously, it bothers me. Like, tonight, I just want to sit back and enjoy a movie with my friends.

An Inspirational Perspective (If Applicable/Desired):

Since I have this hearing issue, I wondered to myself how do people who have even more of a serious and severe hearing issue communicate with others? I knew there must be a better way to communicate with people within the deaf or hard of hearing community, so I could conversate more effectively. I learned sign language! Because of this skill, I now volunteer as a sign language interpreter in hospitals or schools settings. I advocate on behalf of both adults and children in these environments. I also kept my eyes open to any of the latest hearing devices and that’s how I found out about my brand new hearing aid!


ATTENTION! The character, “Gloria,” from the Criteria: Must-Have but Not Limited To section is only a SAMPLE! Please be advised to follow the Format or Structure section for specific guidelines for lengths and number of paragraph writing.

The Problem Collective