Design as Advocacy

Abstract

Human-centered design expands the context and reach of the work of technical communicators and provides an opportunity to investigate and advocate for the needs of vulnerable populations. This article summarizes and contributes to the conversation about social justice occurring in both technical communication and design. Using a variety of qualitative methods as a type of design ethnography, this article shares findings from a study that investigated the experiences of homeless bus riders. The study findings provide an opportunity to examine the design of information and communication technologies and changes to policies that impact vulnerable populations. The article discusses the implications of an advocacy perspective for technical communicators practicing human-centered design and their role and opportunity to bring about socially responsible design.

Journal
Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
Published
2016-10-01
DOI
10.1177/0047281616653494
Open Access
Closed
Topics

Citation Context

Cited by in this index (35)

  1. Technical Communication Quarterly
  2. Computers and Composition
  3. Technical Communication Quarterly
  4. Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
  5. Journal of Business and Technical Communication
Show all 35 →
  1. Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
  2. Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
  3. Technical Communication Quarterly
  4. Technical Communication Quarterly
  5. Technical Communication Quarterly
  6. Journal of Business and Technical Communication
  7. Technical Communication Quarterly
  8. Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
  9. Technical Communication Quarterly
  10. Technical Communication Quarterly
  11. Technical Communication Quarterly
  12. Technical Communication Quarterly
  13. Journal of Business and Technical Communication
  14. Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
  15. Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
  16. Technical Communication Quarterly
  17. Technical Communication Quarterly
  18. Technical Communication Quarterly
  19. Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
  20. Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
  21. Technical Communication Quarterly
  22. Technical Communication Quarterly
  23. Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
  24. Technical Communication Quarterly
  25. Technical Communication Quarterly
  26. Journal of Business and Technical Communication
  27. Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
  28. Computers and Composition
  29. Computers and Composition
  30. Technical Communication Quarterly

Cites in this index (8)

  1. Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
  2. Technical Communication Quarterly
  3. Journal of Business and Technical Communication
  4. Technical Communication Quarterly
  5. Journal of Business and Technical Communication
Show all 8 →
  1. College Composition and Communication
  2. Technical Communication Quarterly
  3. Technical Communication Quarterly
Also cites 11 works outside this index ↓
  1. 10.1162/074793601750357178
  2. 10.1007/978-3-322-99786-9_1
  3. 10.1145/1357054.1357155
  4. 10.1162/074793602320827406
  5. 10.1007/BF01405730
  6. 10.1111/j.1948-7169.1999.tb00274.x
  7. 10.1145/344599.344646
  8. 10.1145/2524248.2524257
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  11. 10.1145/1978942.1979191
CrossRef global citation count: 96 View in citation network →