After exploring the different aspects of digital history exhibits both in “real life” as well as virtually, I have a much better idea of how I would like to organize my own. The primary goals surrounding my History of Alzheimer’s Disease project has not changed, as well as who I intent will want to view it. What has changed in my project plan, is how I want to present each aspect of data and how they may interweave into my overall message.
The primary goal behind presenting classical depictions of probable Alzheimer’s-related cognitive decline, is to bring attention to the theory that this is most likely not a new disease; in other words, Alzheimer’s is being diagnosed at a faster rate within all populations nowadays compared to when it was first discovered, simply because average life expectancy has increased. My project will couple this idea with the goal of reducing stigma around cognitive decline and spread awareness that a significant decline -cognitive or physical- is considered abnormal in all age groups.
Currently, I am planning for my project to have a very wide age-range regarding its primary audience, young adults through late-middle aged adults. Since my topic can be very sensitive to all age groups, along with some of the excerpts I may share, I do not think I will try to make my project too accessible to children. Though I think age-related decline is a very important topic to discuss with all ages, I believe it’s something that must be done with extreme care when children are involved, since it’s such a complex and possibly scary idea. With that being said, I will not go too in-depth into abuses, quotations, or certain imagery individuals were faced with throughout history, so I believe it’s appropriate for young adults to view. My hope is that this primary audience will be able to learn more about how Alzheimer’s can present differently between individuals, how no one is alone in this, access to local communities/help, and also learn how to combat the current stigma.
The secondary audience that I plan for, are individuals 65+, and/or individuals currently diagnosed with early-stage Alzheimer’s or mild cognitive impairments. Even though many organizations and outlets have been created around the world specifically for those with cognitive decline, there is still a huge lack of community and help. Many elderly individuals feel as if they have no outlets or interactive ways to learn about potential, or speak about their current, cognitive declines. Though my project mainly centers around education and stigma-reduction, I do want there to be a communal aspect in the background. I know I will link to multiple global, national, state-wide, and local chapters of Alzheimer’s outreach; though I would also like to try and create a small outlet for individuals to be able to anonymously post/speak/create to share their personal experiences or messages.
I think that I will mainly divide my project into different sections of creative expressions of cognitive decline. For instance, I believe I will separate visual works of art from plays, which will be separated from novels, further separated from philosophy quotes, etc. This way, I will be able to showcase multiple time periods within each section of the product so no matter where someone starts, they can trace stigma and beliefs throughout time periods. I will however, intend for the “first” section of the project to be a general overview of what Alzheimer’s is and how it can affect individuals. I also intend on adding audio transcripts and descriptions for those with impaired vision or reading deficits. Similarly, if I include audio files, I intend to include written transcripts for those with auditory or language-processing impairments.