Rachael Dietkus on Making Care Foundational to Systems Design
In a conversation with DesignObserver, Rachael Dietkus, the founder of Social Workers Who Design, argues for the recognition of care as essential infrastructure within design. Transitioning from a background in art and design to social work, Dietkus has been involved in various advocacy efforts, such as campaigning against the death penalty in Illinois and acting as an NGO delegate at the UN Human Rights Council. Her commitment to care began in 2013 at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. As the first social worker at the United States Digital Service during the Biden administration, she noted the frequent misinterpretation of "care" in trauma-informed frameworks. Dietkus points to the PTSD-MST claims process as an example of a complex system, urging designers to clarify their practice scope and document instances of care.
Key facts
- Rachael Dietkus founded the practice Social Workers Who Design.
- She began as an art and design student before pivoting to social work.
- She worked to abolish the death penalty in Illinois and served as an NGO delegate to the United Nations Human Rights Council.
- Her care-focused approach emerged in 2013 while working at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs as Healthcare for Homeless Veterans program coordinator.
- She was the first social worker for the United States Digital Service during the Biden administration.
- She cites the PTSD-MST claims process, VA Form 21-0781, as cumbersome and retraumatizing.
- Civilla, a Detroit-based civic design studio, is cited as a client that acknowledged team exposure to trauma.
- She advises designers to define their scope of practice and keep a log of moments of care.
Entities
Artists
- Rachael Dietkus
- Martha
Institutions
- Social Workers Who Design
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
- United States Digital Service
- Civilla
- United Nations Human Rights Council
- DesignObserver
Locations
- Illinois
- United States
- Chicago
- Detroit