Student Affiliates
Eunmi Moon
Eunmi Moon is pursuing a Ph.D. in the Informatics Program at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. She also holds a BFA and MFA in Graphic Design from the same institution. Her research is focused on the Empathic User Experience Research Method and Process. She emphasizes an empathy-driven research method by engaging makers in immersive simulation and experiential role-playing workshops, the scenarios of which are created by users to develop user-inspired solutions. Eunmi's goal is to extend the applicability of this method to diverse domains, especially in education. She aims to foster future professionals who are ethically responsible and care about environmentally sustainable solutions for users. Recently, she joined the (dis)Ability Design Studio team and is actively working with Dr. McDonagh on various projects and publications. In addition to her academic pursuits, Moon is also active as a graphic designer and user experience researcher, contributing her expertise to the field.
Aziz Zeidieh
Aziz Zeidieh, an Informatics PhD student advised by Dr JooYoung Seo, is a human-computer interaction (HCI) researcher at the intersection of orientation and mobility (O&M), artificial intelligence (AI), and usability. He is actively exploring opportunities to leverage novel technologies and advancements in AI to facilitate safe, efficient, and independent travel experiences for blind and low-vision individuals. As a legally blind member of society, Aziz is passionate about finding ways to improve the accessibility and usability of life experiences for all individuals with the help of a universal design approach.
Dylan Pales
Dylan Pales is a senior at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, majoring in Graphic Design in the School of Fine and Applied Arts and minoring in Psychology in the School of Liberal Arts. Passionate about the intersection of design, accessibility, and public health, she will be continuing her education with a Master’s in Public Health with a focus on health behavior and promotion. Dylan has worked as an Accessible Design and Communication Specialist for the National Park Service’s Public Risk Management Program, where she specialized in creating inclusive design solutions to improve public safety communication. Her work blends human-centered design principles with a deep understanding of psychology to craft disability-friendly, impactful experiences.
The (dis)Ability Design Studio is essential because it fosters an environment where accessibility and inclusion are not afterthoughts but the foundation of innovation. Too often, design overlooks the needs of disabled individuals, resulting in barriers that limit independence and participation. This studio challenges that norm by centering disabled voices in the creative process, ensuring that solutions are not just functional but truly empowering. As a disabled designer, this is a place where my lived experience is valued as expertise, where I can explore design through a lens that prioritizes accessibility, and where I can contribute to reshaping a world that too often excludes us. The (dis)Ability Design Studio is not just about creating accessible solutions; it’s about redefining who gets to lead the conversation in design.
Abeeha Fajar
Abeeha Fajar is an undergraduate student at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, majoring in Information Sciences with a minor in Data Science. She works with the Assessment and Research Team at the Illinois Leadership Center and serves as the iSchool representative on the Undergraduate Student Committee and Secretary for Congress in the Illinois Student Council. Currently, she is researching new technology and communication methods for people with visual impairments and blindness, focusing on human-centered and empathic design. This project aims to enable students with low to no vision to study visual disciplines.
Carter Schott
Carter, an undergraduate student in Mechanical Engineering from Orland Park, Southside of Chicago, Illinois, is dedicated to the development of engineering devices aimed at enhancing the quality of life for individuals with disabilities. His projects include the design and implementation of wheelchair side pouches, illumination systems for wheelchair users, rear lights for wheelchairs, and high-strength backpack hooks tailored for wheelchair users. Carter's commitment to assistive technology is evident through his collaborative efforts to address everyday challenges faced by people with disabilities. He intends to advance his education by pursuing a Master of Science in Management, followed by a Master of Business Administration at the Gies College of Business, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
Caleb Thomas
He is a sophomore in Bioengineering, currently pursuing the biomechanics tracks. He originates from Elmhurst, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago. He aspires to work in the healthcare industry, preferably with medical device or prosthetics. While on campus he is part of the Indian Student Association, Biomedical engineering Society, A national honors fraternity, and a social fraternity where he is currently the brotherhood chair and the external vice president. In addition to working in the (dis)Ability Design Studio, he also works in Dr. Oldfield's drug development research lab focusing on anti-fungal treatments. In his free time, he enjoys working out, spending time with friends, and playing and watching sports, with basketball being his favorite.
Connor Grady
Connor Grady is an Industrial Design student and James Scholar at the College of Fine and Applied Arts and is minoring in Business at the Gies College of Business. He specializes in Automotive design innovation and visual communications, with a large background in apparel graphic design. He has had the opportunity to learn from industry specialists and professors at the College for Creative Studies’ 2021 Margaret Dunning Automotive Design Fellowship Program, in Detroit, Michigan.