How can the architectural design of public buildings be improved for Visually Impaired people?

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to identify issues that visually impaired (VI) people face in public buildings and where possible, suggest design solutions. The research methods involved interviewing VI individuals with various levels of vision to gain first-hand insight into their experiences in the built environment.

Several of the discussed issues include the importance of multi-sensory design and how inappropriate acoustic features can lead to disorientation. The paper evaluates the use of lighting, the importance of consistency, the benefits of natural light and the hindrance of glare. It emphasises the importance of contrast to distinguish between features, around doorframes and on the nosing of stairs, which need to have tactile indicators on the floor to warn VI users they are approaching, and handles reaching out 2ft beyond the top bottom of the stairs, to improve safety.

The paper also highlights the importance of consulting VI individuals to make use of their expertise in a co-design process, to hopefully produce public buildings more accessible to VI people.