Design Consideration for Various Disabilities

Presented by :- Rushi Patel

Dhaval Seliya
Hemish Kukadiya
Hardip Chavada
Manoj Wagh
Nirav Bansu
Design Consideration for Physically disabled or
temporary disabled human
 Introduction
 While designing spaces, architects often consider potential users of the building.
The users of the spaces should also include people with disabilities. The aim of the
building should not only be user friendly to a specific group of people but to all the
groups of people.
 In short, the design must be inclusive, accessible, informative, and flexible for
every user.
 To create a space accessible by every person solutions, need to take into account
affordability, technology availability, knowledge, cultural differences, and the level
of development. 
 The above-mentioned points need to be considered as the inaccessible
infrastructure is created due to insufficient knowledge, insufficient understanding,
lack of user input, missed opportunities such as tactile floor indicators to enhance
visual impact as well as improve access for persons with visual impairment. 
Identification of Disabilities:

The target group is composed of 6 major categories:

1. Wheelchair users
2. People with limited walking abilities
3. The sightless and the partially sighted
4. The hearing impaired
5. People with difficulties in learning
6. Those persons who are temporarily disabled due to accidents or illness.

Other categories that may benefit to some extent from the proposed measures include
the mentally health problems, people susceptible to physical fits, people with extreme
physical proportions, and people with functional disabilities of the arm or hand.
 Universal design for inclusion of all classes and all people can be created by
incorporating the following in the design:- 

1. Accessibility 

 Functions like lifts, toilets, parking spaces, should be added. Accessible signages,
evacuation plans should be provided in the building. Parking spaces should also be
made accessible to the handicapped. The parking spaces and drop-off points are
kept clear for people with disabilities. The surface and lighting around the building
and on the paths that customers use to get to the building. A minimum of one
entrance should be made accessible for people with disabilities.
2. Services of the building. 
 Services like ramps, staircase, lift, corridors should be designed in order to make
the building more accessible for the disabled. 
 In a public building, the slope of the ramps should have a slope of 1:20. The steps
should be avoided numerous times on the floor. A ramp or a platform lift should be
provided according to the number of staircases provided. Lifts should be provided
in a building with more than one floor. 
 Circulation of a building should not be obstructed by deliveries, machinery, etc.
Doors should be kept open wherever possible. Doors that are closed should be easy
for a customer to open. The width of the door should be kept such that it is wide
3. Signage's in the building 

 Signage's in a public building should be mandatory so as to give a direction to the

customers. The signage's that are there in the building should be designed
according to the prescribed guidelines by the authorities, have a braille system or
raised lettering whenever possible, have a writing that is large enough for the users
to read, use appropriate symbols.
4. Intercom, queuing systems, ticket offices, and information desks.

 The location, language of intercoms, queuing systems, ticket offices, or information

desks should be provided after considering the factors like. 
•  When customers are not able to read the visual information.
• Hear audio information or intercoms
• Reach tickets or intercoms that are very high or low to reach
• Understand the language

5. Toilets 

 Public toilets for people with disabilities should be provided. Providing an alarm
system in the accessible toilets should be done and regular maintenance should be
done. The toilets should not be used for storing cleaning equipment, deliveries, etc. 
 Sanitary bins in the accessible toilets should be provided and should not obstruct
the wheelchair users.  
Features of Accessible Toilet
1. Side grab bar- There is a grab bar on the adjacent side wall that is at
least1.05 m long and from 0.95 m above the floor. Grab bars diameter
should be 30 mm to 40 mm
2. Rear grab bars- There is a grab bar behind the toilet that is at least 36
incheslong and from 0.95 m above the floor. Grab bars should be firmly
fixedsince considerable pressure will be placed on the rail.
3. Flush valve- Flush valve is located in reach range and is operable without
tight grasping, twisting, or pinching
4. Toilet seat height-Height of toilet seat from floor finish should be 0.45 m
5. Toilet Center line- The toilet bowl needs to be centered 0.45 m from the
side wall, so that persons with disabilities can use the side grab bar.
6. Clear floor space- Clear floor space: Adequate space is provided to
approach the toilet from a variety of wheelchair transfer positions (i.e.
diagonal or side approaches). Generally, the toilet needs to be placed
within a 1.5 m wide by 1.5 m deep clear area of the floor.
7. Floor of toilet /washroom should be slip resistant
8. An additional push alarm or emergency alarm should be placed adjacent
to call for assistance in emergency
Features of Accessible Toilet
6. Doors
 Problem identification : Inadequate width for wheelchair at door to enter and
utilize the facilities 
 Purpose : To facilitate the easy passage through doors, particularly for wheelchair
users and people.using other mobility aids.

6.1 General Design Considerations 

 Internal doors should be in designed in such a way to give easy access to persons
with limited mobility.
 In general, automatic doors are the best solution for persons with disabilities.

6.2 Door dimensions   

 For exterior door, minimum width should be 0.90 m -1.00m.
 For interior doors, minimum width should be 0.80-0.85 m.
 Clear height of 2.10-2.20 m is recommended for all the doors.
6.3 Accessible door features
Accessible doors have following features : 
 Visible signage
 Kick Plate
 Door Handle
 An extra pull handle

6.4 Door Hardware/Locks/Fixtures 

 All doors opening hardware onentrance, vestibule, and room doors should be easy
to grasp and use (e.g., of the lever handled type).
 Hardware for closet doors, drawer pulls etc., should be of the simple ‘D’type (i.e., a
continuous and easy to grasp handle), 75 mm – 100 mm long.
 The positioning of lever handles and push / pull handles should be consistent
throughout the building.
 Lever handles are the preferredtype of furniture, as door knobs ofspherical, circular,
or similar design can be difficult to operate for people with, for instance, arthritis,
Cerebral Palsy or a weak grip.
7. Lighting

 The lighting in the public building should be distributed evenly. The large variation
in lighting levels should be avoided and should not be too bright or too dark.
Glossy, shiny, and polished surface finishes should be avoided. Reflections,
shadows, and glare should be kept minimum. 

8. Visual Contrast. 

 Differences in color and color intensity should be used to create visual contrast.
This method will help people with visual impairment to:-
 Differentiate between walls and floors. 
 Differentiate between door backgrounds and fittings. 
 Avoid hazards
 Find their way around the building 
9. Flooring

 Space which is disabled friendly should provide flooring which is as follows:- 

 Hardwood flooring is useful in allowing ease of passage which should be
considered for people using wheelchairs. 
 Vinyl flooring is highly affordable and is slip-resistant. This feature allows for
easy usage for people with disabilities. 

10. Accessible countertops

 Apart from the above factors mentioned, countertops should be placed at a

comfortable height for the disabled. Appliances should be provided at a height
where the people using the wheelchair can access the same. 
 In all, to create a space user-friendly, space should be flexible enough to be used by
all kinds of people. Space should be comfortable and accessible to use by the
ultimate user. 
Designing and Navigating Spaces for People with
Vision Impairment
 Introduction
 Blindness, low vision, vision loss, and visually impaired are all terms commonly
used in relation to people who cannot see well. According to the World Health
Organization, approximately 1.3 billion people around the globe live with a vision
impairment of some sort.
 Today, those dealing with vision loss live increasingly independent lifestyles. They
are out in the community, using their existing vision along with technology and
assistance devices to maneuver alongside people with normal vision.
 For those designing and building public spaces, making those spaces easier to
access and negotiate for people with vision concerns is an important consideration.
 People with vision loss learn how to navigate a world designed for seeing people,
and they use specific design elements, such as blistered pavers before crosswalks,
to help.
 There are established international standards that help keep these signals and cues
uniform around the globe, and designers should adhere to them as they work to
create spaces that work for people with vision loss.
Outdoor Spaces – Design Recommendations
 Navigating the outdoors is a definite challenge for people who are visually
impaired. Unlike their own homes, where they can control the environment, the
outdoors are filled with challenges and constantly changing hazards.

Increase Contrast
 People with low vision often can rely on
increased contrast to help them see where
roadways and hazards are. Here are some
areas where you can add contrast to
improve the navigability of your outdoor
space.
 Use color contrasts to indicate a
difference in function. For example, if
you want to differentiate between a
sidewalk and a curb, add a bright white or
yellow line to the edge of the curb, which
will differentiate it from the dark
pavement.
 Use illumination or lighting contrasts
to help people see areas where their
safety may be at risk. 
 Augment illumination at crosswalks and
similar areas for people who struggle to
see well. Care should be taken to
minimize glare while maximizing
contrast.

 Use tactile paving to indicate a change

between areas designated for
pedestrians, bikes, and other uses. 
 The use of tactile paving does not need
to be limited to crosswalks and bubble
pavement. You can also add elongated
ridges along walking paths to help
people with low vision detect where
they can safely walk.
 This can help users with vision
impairments stay safe and avoid causing
a hazard for those on bikes or
motorbikes.
Utilize Sounds
People with vision concerns learn to rely on
their other senses to navigate the world.
 For example, they may perceive when
they’re approaching a cross street by
listening for the sounds of oncoming
traffic or feeling a change in the wind
direction due to the lack of buildings
blocking the wind.

 Create spaces that minimize echoes. The sound distortion created by echoes can
be difficult for people with vision concerns to manage. In certain configurations, it
confuses the input on which they could otherwise rely for additional info about their
surroundings.
 Utilize auditory (sound) cues at important areas. Adding an alarm or countdown
to an intersection that alerts a blind user when it’s safe to cross, for example, can
make the crossing safer.
 Consider different sounds given off by different textures when making textured
surfaces. For example, when someone is walking with a long cane, rubber tiles near
intersections give off a different sound than the pavement, signaling a change in
terrain.
 Create Barriers
 In outdoor spaces, barriers are important
to help individuals with vision
impairment discern where they are and
where the should or should not be. Use
these tips to make them more easily
seen and helpful.

 Utilize non-solid boundaries where

fencing is not appropriate. 
 Short poles or posts, for instance, can
create a visual barrier to a space where a
fence may not be appropriate or needed.
 These must be marked by especially
high-contrast colors or markers so that
vision-impaired individuals can see or
reach for them to distinguish the edges
of the space.
Indoor Spaces – Design Recommendations
 Contrast, textures, sounds, and lighting are equally important indoors as they are
outdoors. People living with visual impairment can benefit from additional design
features that help them navigate indoor spaces with ease.
 Stairways
 Use the texture of stripes at the top and
bottom of the staircase. Raised stripes
indicate a tripping hazard is ahead, and
blind individuals know to watch for this
texture when navigating a space.
 Add textured tape or another textured
warning signal to the edge of each
step. This can help someone going up or
down stairs know when they have reached
the edge of each step.
 Use contrast to mark the edge of steps. In
addition to the tape, use contrasting colors
to mark the edge of the step. Choosing
textured tape that contrasts with the step
color can accomplish this.
 Doorways and Windows
 Add stickers or glazing to glass windows
and doors to improve visibility.
 Clear glass can be particularly difficult for
people with low vision, who may not
realize there’s a barrier in the way. Using
decals with dots or stripes to create a
visual mark can help.

 Add color contrast around the frame of

the door. 
 This will allow individuals with low vision
to detect and enter the doorway without
hurting themselves by bumping an unseen
edge.
 Consider installing automatic
doorways. 
 Doors that open automatically are easier to
use for those with vision concerns. Make
sure doors open into the flow of traffic,
rather than toward people approaching the
door. If possible, opt for sliding doors that
move completely out of the way.
Lighting

 Keep your spaces well lit. 

 While dim lighting may create an ambiance you want, it also makes it nearly
impossible to navigate a space when you have low vision concerns.
 Bright light that minimizes glare while allowing ample contrast is ideal.
 Choose lighting as close to natural sunlight as possible.

Implement floor or other area lighting. 

Lighting directed onto traditionally darkened areas - to illuminate barriers in walkways

or under stairs, or brighten workspaces under cabinets - can be helpful to people with
low vision.

Consider the problem of glare. 

 Glare makes it difficult for people with low vision to see well.
 Choose glare-free lighting options to help eliminate this problem.
 Watch for places where your lighting will glare off of reflective surfaces, and adjust
materials or their orientation in those areas.
 Signage

 Keep signage large and contrasting. 

 People with low vision rely on contrasting colors
to see. Large signs with clearly contrasting
characters and images are easier to read than
small signage with low contrast.
 Use high-contrast lighting to illuminate signs. 
 Brighter illumination on signage can improve the
ability to see contrasts and discern characters
even further for people with low vision.
 Know where you must add signage
throughout your facility. 
 The ADA indicates specific places where you
must locate accessible signage, including those
that designate restrooms, parking areas, exits,
and permanent rooms or spaces.
 Add tactile signage and tactile maps. 
 Situating Braille and raised or indented signs at a
natural level for people to touch can help those
with extremely limited vision or no vision at all
to figure out where they are within the space.
Designing and Navigating Spaces for People with
Hearing Impairment
 Introduction
 BACKGROUND
 The deaf, hard-to-hearing and the hearing impaired persons inhabit a rich sensory world where vision
and touch are the primary means of spatial awareness and orientation. This group of people use sign
identity. When the Deaf congregate together they tend to alter the space to fit to their unique way of
being. This is the first proof of Deaf existence and their unique architectural way. However, our built
environment presents a variety of challenges which the deaf are unable to respond to.
 “The world has watched the deaf community come of age. Together lets overcome our own reluctance
to stand up for our own rights." Dr. I. King Jordan, President Gallaudet University
 A concept of “Deaf Aesthetic” known as Deafspace has already been developed. It is meant to offer a
new voice in the discourse of universal design by exploring the ultimate experience surrounding
Architecture and the senses. Under this concept, Deafspace Design Guidelines (DSDGs) have been
developed.
 The guidelines touch on five broad categories which are:
• Light and color
• Sensory reach
• Space and proximity
• Mobility and proximity
• Acoustics
1. Space & Proximity

 In order to maintain clear visual communication individuals stand at a distance where they can
see facial expression and full dimension of the signer’s “signing space”.  There space between
two signers tends to be greater than that of a spoken conversation. As conversation groups
grow in numbers the space between individuals increases to allow visual connection for all
parties.  This basic dimension of the space between people impacts the basic layout of
furnishings and building spaces.
The Spatial Implications of Deaf Proxemics
 Deaf individuals using sign language need to initiate communication with eye contact and
must maintain a clear visual window in which to hold signed conversations. Deaf Individuals
utilize touch as an integral part of the language and rely on extremely subtle facial and body
movements while holding a conversation. All proxemic considerations for DeafSpace are
derived from these basic communication needs
 1. Space & Proximity

1. Degrees of Enclosure

Private Space
Provide a balance of enclosure and openness for private
spaces. Taking into account room functions, compose
private spaces so that occupants will generally face
toward the most open area of the room. This
arrangement places most visual access within the
occupant’s comfortable field of vision and minimizes
the potential for interruptions from behind.

Within Public Space

Semi-private spaces within public spaces such as

alcoves and porches provide a comfortable degree of
enclosure that allows occupants to see and be seen. Like
Private Space Enclosures (1.1.1), enclosures within
public spaces typically position the greater degree of
enclosure behind the occupants allowing them to face
toward the open areas and view activities taking place
within the public realm.
1. Space & Proximity

2. Formal Gathering Spaces

Groups & Seating Arrangements

When seated in groups, deaf individuals need
arrangements that accommodate seeing the faces of and
making eye contact with all participants. Square and
rectangular tables present problems for deaf individuals
in groups larger than four, getting progressively worse
the larger the group. Round tables and horseshoe shaped
tables are preferred.

Groups & Seating Arrangements

Presentation Spaces & Classrooms
Classrooms designed to facilitate visual communication
should accommodate a “horseshoe” seating arrangement
with the Presentation Space located at the one open end
to allow each occupant equal visual access to one
another and the lecture area. While the ideal maximum
number of desks for this arrangement will vary with
classroom size, is is important to maintain a distance that
will allow occupants to maintain focus on visual
communication. Taking into account circulation space,
storage requirements and the need for flexibility, optimal
classrooms should provide xx sf/student..
Presentation Spaces & Classrooms
1. Space & Proximity

2. Formal Gathering Spaces

Lecture Halls & Auditoriums

Lecture Halls and Auditoriums designed for deaf
gatherings must dedicate a large proportion of floor area
to aisles with fewer seats to a row in order to enable
quick access to and from the stage during these sessions
of open visual dialogue. For planning purposes, Lecture
Halls and Auditoriums serving deaf audiences should
provide xx square feet per occupant as compared to the
typical xx square feet per occupant. Furthermore
Lighting and Visual Display screens should be integrated
into the design of these spaces to ensure proper viewing
of stage activities and captioning. Lecture Halls & Auditoriums

Meeting Rooms
The separate table arrangement is well suited for formal
board meetings or hearings that necessitate a heightened
visual focus on each participant seated at the table while
at the same time providing clear visual access to the
Presentation Area located along the central axis of the
room. The presentation area for large meeting rooms
should include two screens and a larger zone for
presenters and interpreters. This room arrangement also
allows for ancillary gallery seating.
Meeting Rooms
1. Space & Proximity

3. Collective Space - Promoting Connection

Program Distribution
Program distribution plays a critical role in the social life
of a building or campus. Where possible, collective
spaces should be located next to high-density spaces like
lecture halls, cafés and dormitories, or public places, like
retail areas. Adjacency to theses types of uses can help
activate collective spaces by allowing for visual and
physical connection.

Program Distribution

Nodes
Spontaneous social interaction amongst deaf individuals
should be encouraged by locating collective spaces at
“nodes” along the way to other locations. This is true for
the campus, building and city scale.

Nodes
1. Space & Proximity

3. Collective Space - Promoting Connection

Eddies
Along major pathways and corridors provide places to
stop and have a conversation or take in a view out of the
flow of traffic. These “eddies” can be scaled for group
gatherings and/or conversations or ancillary uses like
making a video phone call or mailing a letter

Eddies

Connecting Interior Spaces

Inside buildings, openings should be located to allow
deaf individuals to see their colleagues at work and in
social situations. Transparency of walls and doors, large
unobstructed openings and sliding wall panels should be
used between offices, circulation and communal spaces
when appropriate to visually connect people while
satisfying access and privacy requirements.

Connecting Interior Spaces

1. Space & Proximity

3. Collective Space - Promoting Connection

Visual Connection Between Floors

Visual connection between floors is a critical
consideration for deaf individuals who depend on their
sight to navigate the environment. Circulation, balconies
and activity areas within multiple-story spaces should be
staggered to provide visual connectivity between floors
and deep within buildings to give individuals an
understanding of the building’s volume.

Visual Connection Between Floors

Linking Exterior & Interior Spaces

It is highly desirable to open up interior building spaces,
especially social spaces such as conference rooms,
lounges, building lobbies and eating areas to exterior
circulation paths and common areas. Making a ground
floor that is as transparent as possible is an effective
means for achieving this, but upper level building spaces
may communicate with outdoor areas as well. Highly
transparent glazing should be used and heavily reflective
or tinted glass should be avoided.
Linking Exterior & Interior Spaces
2. Sensory Reach

 Spatial orientation and the awareness of activities within our surroundings are essential to
maintaining a sense of well-being.  Deaf people “read” the activities in their surroundings that
may not be immediately apparent to many hearing people through an acute sensitivity of
visual and tactile cues such as the movement of shadows, vibrations, or even the reading of
subtle shifts in the expression/position of  others around them. Many aspects of the built
environment can be designed to facilitate spatial awareness “in 360 degrees” and facilitate
orientation and wayfinding.
2. Sensory Reach

1. Visual Cues and Legibility

View Corridors
View corridors through campus serve to visually connect
campus districts, important landmarks, destinations and
adjacent neighborhoods. View corridors play an
important role in wayfinding and should serve as
primary campus circulation routes. Landscaping,
building location and massing should all serve to
reinforce and define major view corridors throughout the
campus. View Corridors

Visible Destinations in Sequence

Important destinations and campus landmarks should be
directly visible upon entering shared exterior spaces to
help deaf individuals orient themselves within a greater
campus plan. Direct views from key decision points and
major pathways to destinations should be used to
facilitate easy movement through campus.

Visible Destinations in Sequence

2. Sensory Reach

1. Visual Cues and Legibility

Location of Building Entrances

Primary building entrances should be located such that
they are highly visible from decision points along major
campus circulation and from open spaces.

Location of Building Entrances

Building Legibility
Primary building uses, especially interior social spaces
like lounges, conference rooms and large assembly
spaces, should be made legible from the outside
whenever possible. This legibility aids in wayfinding at
both the campus and building scale..

Building Legibility
2. Sensory Reach

1. Visual Cues and Legibility

Visible Destinations Within Buildings

Major destination points should be visible from multiple
places within a building. When entering a building or
public space, destinations should be immediately
apparent and their access unobstructed. Circulation
routes and layouts should be clear and intuitive..

Visible Destinations
Within Buildings

Transparency in Movement Spaces

In hallways, corridors and other movement spaces within
buildings, it is desirable to provide transparency into
adjacent spaces, allowing visual access to the activities
taking place throughout the building.

Transparency in
Movement Spaces
2. Sensory Reach

2. Transparency & Privacy

Quality of Transparency
Openings between rooms and between interior and
exterior spaces should be designed to provide flexibility
in the level of privacy whenever possible. A variety of
materials such as glass, polycarbonate, metal screen and
even stone can be used within openings or between
spaces to modulate the view between spaces and/ or
control light. Materials should be used thematically as an
architectural element in conjunction with way-finding
strategies

Quality of Transparency
Doors & Transparency
Doors, except when privacy dictates, should utilize some
amount of glass to allow visual access to the other side.
This is especially true at building entrances, which
should use automatic-sliding doors to allow free flow
while signing

Doors & Transparency

2. Sensory Reach

2. Transparency & Privacy

Transoms
Transoms can provide important clues to activities taking
place in an otherwise closed spaces. Through a transom
one can see if the light is on and, by seeing shadows and
movement, if activity is taking place. Spaces that cannot,
for privacy reasons, contain windows and glass doors
should consider the use of transoms or other high
windows.
Transoms

Sidelites
When privacy requirements allow and/or glazing doors is
not possible, sidelites are an alternate means of offering
transparency and should be utilized to the extent
possible.

Sidelites
2. Sensory Reach

3. Spatial Awareness - Transparency

Glazed Entrances
Providing glazing at major building entrances helps ease
flow into and out of buildings by allowing individuals
engaged in signed conversation at anticipate oncoming
traffic. Glazes entrances also aid in wayfinding by
allowing views into major lobby spaces. At nighttime,
glazed entrances act as lanterns making building
entrances legible from afar
Glazed Entrances

Windows at the End of Corridors

Placing windows at the end of building corridors reduces
the sense of confinement and provides a sense of
openness and connection to the outdoors.

Windows at the End of Corridors

2. Sensory Reach

3. Spatial Awareness - Transparency

Room Enclosures
All habitable rooms should have at least one opening
with an appropriate degree of transparency. to enable
occupants to maintain a sense of activities within
surrounding spaces. These openings should be
strategically located to minimize interruption while
Room Enclosures
providing visual access to the most public and active
areas.

Glass Elevators
Glass elevators lessen the feeling of confinement,
increase actual and perceived safety and allow visual
connection to adjacent spaces.

Glass Elevators
2. Sensory Reach

3. Spatial Awareness - Transparency

Stair Enclosures
Wherever possible stairs should have windows to the
exterior to lessen the feeling of confinement, allow
visual connection to the outside and aid in wayfinding.
Stair Enclosures

Bay Windows
Bay windows allow individuals a wider range of view
and connection to the outdoors. This increased range of
view helps provide greater visual access to activities
taking place outside of the building and increases
connection to the campus and neighborhood context. Bay Windows

Revealing Stair Enclosures

Enclosed stairs should be made visible from connecting
corridors with glazing or with doors on hold-opens.

Revealing Stair Enclosures

2. Sensory Reach

4. Sensory Reach - Reflection

Reflection: Movement
Reflective surfaces should also be used in movement
spaces to avoid collisions around corners and alert
individuals when someone is approaching from behind.

Reflection: Movement

Reflection: Space
Reflective surfaces, which can be either integral to the
architecture or surface applied, should be used to aid
deaf individuals in perceiving their environment and the
activities occurring within surrounding spaces. With the
help of strategically placed reflective surfaces,
individuals can carry on signed conversations while
monitoring 360 degrees around themselves.

Reflection: Space
2. Sensory Reach

5. Sensory Reach - Vibration

Vibration Within Rooms

Floor surfaces that allow for some degree of noticable
vibration should be used in defined spaces where deaf
occupants may desire to initiate contact with one another
through a tap on the floor or furniture. Such spaces may
include meeting rooms, class rooms and living spaces
within a residential setting. It is critical that the edge of
these areas be well defined and buffered from undesired
sources of vibration. Vibration Within Rooms

Vibration Zones
Locate limited areas, or zones, of floor surfaces that
propagate vibration as wide thresholds between public
circulation areas and private spaces to provide a subtle
clue of approaching visitors as a means to mitigate
abrupt interruptions. These “vibration zones” should be
of a size and configuration to allow occupants within the
private space to sense the arrival of a visitor at the room
entry from a variety of key locations within the private
space. This strategy should be employed in conjunction
with other strategies for sensory reach to reinforce
sensory clues of the movement of others.
Vibration Zones
2. Sensory Reach

5. Sensory Reach - Vibration

Reduce Unwanted Neighbouring Vibration

Uncontrolled vibration can create distractions and
confusion. For instance, footsteps in a public hallway
adjacent to spaces that require privacy and concentration
should be dampened to avoid the creation of a continual
distraction.

Reduce Unwanted Neighbouring Vibration

Equipment Vibration & Isolation

Mechanical vibrations should be limited with isolators
on equipment and ductwork. Mechanical equipment
vibrations are very distracting to the heightened senses
of deaf individuals. They can also mask the beneficial
vibrations within spaces that help give deaf individuals
an awareness of their environment.

Equipment Vibration & Isolation

2. Sensory Reach

6. Sensory Reach - Communication Systems

Visual Annunciation Systems

A visual annunciation system provides a central network
for visual communication about building security and
emergencies. Visual Annunciation Systems typically
provide security monitors and key pads at building entry
points and in living spaces or key security checkpoints to
enable building occupants to communicate with
individuals at secured entry points. Instructions
regarding a building fire or other emergencies may be Visual Annunciation Systems
broadcast through these systems. These central systems
may also be augmented with other features such as sound
sensors which alert parents of a child’s cry.

Visual Doorbell
A visual doorbell is simply a light fixture switched from
outside the entry point of a enclosed, private, or semi-
private space that allows a visitor contact the room
occupant by switching the light within the room. While
these systems are effective care should be taken to locate
and design the light fixture to be easily visible from all
points in the room without being too obtrusive and
Visual Doorbell
startling.
2. Sensory Reach

6. Sensory Reach - Communication Systems

Shaking Devices
Mechanical vibrations should be limited with isolators
on equipment and ductwork. Mechanical equipment
vibrations are very distracting to the heightened senses
of deaf individuals. They can also mask the beneficial
vibrations within spaces that help give deaf individuals
an awareness of their environment.
4. Mobility & Proximity

 While walking together in conversation signers will tend to maintain a wide distance  for clear
visual communication.  The signers will also shift their gaze between the conversation and
their surroundings scanning for hazards and maintaining proper direction.  If one senses the
slightest hazard they alert their companion, adjust and continue without interruption.  The
proper design of circulation and gathering spaces enable singers to move through space
uninterrupted.
3. Mobility & Proximity
1. Pathways & Flow

Corridor Dimensions
Primary corridors should be a minimum of 8 feet wide
and secondary corridors should be a minimum of 6 feet
wide. Corridors should be designed to provide
conversation nodes located outside of the pathway flow.

Corridor Dimensions

Conversation Eddies & Pathway Flow

Along campus paths and primary corridors, provide
space to allow small groups to have stationary
conversations outside of the flow of traffic. These
conversation nodes can be relatively small for standing
conversations or can be larger in instances where it is
appropriate to incorporate loose seating. These nodes are
especially valuable at campus entrances, decision points
and crossroads as well as along long interior corridors.

Conversation Eddies & Pathway Flow

3. Mobility & Proximity
1. Pathways & Flow

Corridor Ancillary Uses

Major circulation routes such as building corridors,
campus walks and public sidewalks often require non
circulatory uses to be located adjacent to or within them.
This includes, but is not limited to, drinking fountains,
building directories, display furniture, waste receptacles
and video phone booths. These items should be placed
Corridor Ancillary Uses
within adjacent Shoulder Zones (See 3.1.8) or corridor
Conversation Eddies and out of the clear path of travel
(See 3.1.2). Elements such as drinking fountains and
phone booths should orient the user parallel to the flow
of traffic and should utilize reflective wall surfaces (See
2.4.3) to enable continuous visual connection

Door Swings & Corridor Width

Doors should not swing into traffic flow. Doors that
swing into traffic lanes pose a collision hazard especially
to people engaged in signed conversation. Doors should
swing into the adjoining room when permitted by code;
otherwise, a recess or vestibule should be provided to
ensure that the door does not swing into the corridor

Door Swings & Corridor Width

3. Mobility & Proximity
1. Pathways & Flow

Door Closers & Hold-Opens

Doors with hold opens should be used whenever
possible. These are removed from traffic flow and allow
uninterrupted movement during a signed conversation.
They also aid in wayfinding by allowing visual
connection to areas beyond while satisfying fire life
safety codes.

Door Closers & Hold-Opens

Soft Intersections
Eased, or “soft” corners allow pedestrians to see others
and avoid collisions.

Soft Intersections
3. Mobility & Proximity
1. Pathways & Flow

Sidewalk & Pathway Dimension & Design

Sidewalks and paths should be a minimum of ten feet
wide to allow for several groups of signers to pass each
other easily. Textured edges on the ground plane placed
along walkways and can provide subtle clues to the
Sidewalk & Pathway Dimension & Design
presence of edges.

Shoulder Zones
In order to maintain the desired uninterrupted path of
travel, Ancillary Uses (see 3.1.3) and Conversation
Eddies (See 3.1.2) should be located within “Shoulder
Zones”- dedicated zones parallel to one or both sides of
the path of travel. The width of these zones as well as the
number and type of uses within them will vary but at a
minimum, should accommodate a comfortable layout for
signed conversation. Shoulder Zones along sidewalks
that parallel streets play a dual role as a safety buffer
between vehicular and pedestrian traffic. Street elements
such as signage, pole lighting, fire hydrants and trees
should be located within Shoulder Zones. Shoulder Zones
3. Mobility & Proximity
1. Pathways & Flow

Dominance of Pedestrian Pathway

Where pedestrian paths cross-vehicular paths,
the intersection should be designed to give the
pedestrian path visual dominance and
uninterrupted flow. Along high volume
pedestrian routes, traffic should be controlled
with signage or traffic lights.

Bollards & Barriers

Pathways should be kept as clear as possible.
Bollards and other barriers such as street
furniture, lighting, signage and planting
should not be placed in pathways.
3. Mobility & Proximity
2. Ramps & Stairs

Stair Configuration
Stairs that have a vertical opening between switchback
flights allow more graceful movement as well as views
to others across the open space. Seeing a colleague
descending the opposing stair flight reduces the chance
of collision on the intersection.

. Stair Configuration
Stair Dimensions
Like paths and corridors, wider stairs are preferred.
Stairs should have gentle rise/ run ratios.

Stair Dimensions
3. Mobility & Proximity
2. Ramps & Stairs

Stair Landings
Stair landings are an opportunity to creates omething
that is more than just a bend in the stair. Wider landings
not only reduce the chance of accidental collision, but
can also provide places to stop and have a conversation
or take in a view

Stair Landings

Stairs & Cross Circulation

When stairs empty into a circulation path like a corridor
or campus pathway, extra dimension should be provided
to allow uninterrupted flow in all directions

Stairs & Cross Circulation

3. Mobility & Proximity
2. Ramps & Stairs

Ramp Configuration & Dimension

Ramps can provide a graceful way to move vertically
and eliminate the barrier represented by stairs. This
purpose is defeated, however, by ramps that are too
narrow or configured with excessive switchbacks.

Ramp Configuration & Dimension

3. Mobility & Proximity
3. Thresholds

Sliding Entrances
Providing automatic sliding doors at major building
entrances helps ease flow into and out of buildings,
especially for those engaged in signed conversations.
Sliding Entrances

Airlock & Vestibule Dimensions

Airlocks and vestibules should be built with sliding
doors and properly sized to allow uninterrupted
movement and signed conversation. Motion sensors and
airlock depth shall be calibrated so that individuals can
carry on a signed conversation without having to pause
and wait for doors to open.

Airlock & Vestibule Dimensions

3. Mobility & Proximity
3. Thresholds

Textured Transitions
Textured edges on the ground plane at transitions
between different paths can provide subtle clues to the
presence of thresholds, entrances and decision
points.Providing automatic sliding doors at major
building entrances helps ease flow into and out of
buildings, especially for those engaged in signed
conversations.

Textured Transitions

Eased or Eliminated Curbs

Curbs pose a tripping hazard for those engaged in signed
conversation. Eased or rounded curbs can minimize this
hazard However, the best approach may be to eliminate
curbs altogether, especially in cases where walkways
intersect with roadways. Textured warning strips can
provide a clue to the presence of the roadway while
avoiding the use of a curb.

Eased or Eliminated Curbs

3. Mobility & Proximity
4 Rhythm & Datum

Horizontal Datum
Horizontal Datum such as the typical floor base, chair
rails, picture rails or even horizontal reveal joints should
be incorporated into the design of circulation spaces in
such a way as to provide a clear and continuous visual
anchor for signers walking and engaged in conversation.
Horizontal Datum should be designed to visually
contrast with wall surfaces to be easily visible and
highlight the shape of the room.

Horizontal Datum

Arcades
Arcade type spaces—with the rhythmic placement of
columns—should be used when possible as major
circulation spaces along the exterior and/or interior of
buildings. Columns should be placed in a repetitive
manner to provide interlocutors with vertical cues to
which they may use as a visual anchor while walking
and signing. Column placements may be adjusted to
demark building entries, a change in elevation or a
crossing of pathways to inform pedestrians to look out
for others

Arcades
3. Mobility & Proximity
4 Rhythm & Datum

Building Facades
Utilize repetitive architectural elements such as brick
coursing, window placement and mullion patterns to
provide a continuous and coherent visual reference
within circulation areas. Like arcades, these elements
should be used to signify the rhythmic pattern of the
walkway and should be used in concert with special
elements that articulate special areas of concern such as
destinations, pathway intersections and changes in
elevation or other such barriers
Horizontal Datum

Landscape
Landscape elements and vegetation should be used along
major paths of travel to provide a recognizable, and
continuous, visual reference for signers. Placement of
trees, light standards or other elements should be placed
in an easily understood rhythmic pattern relating to
pedestrian cadence.

Arcades
4. Light and color

 Poor lighting conditions such as glare, shadow patterns, backlighting interrupt visual
communication and are major contributors to the causes of eye fatigue that can lead to a loss
of concentration and even physical exhaustion.  Proper Electric lighting and architectural
elements used to control daylight can be configured to provide a soft, diffused light “attuned
to deaf eyes”.  Color can be used to contrast skin tone to highlight sign language and facilitate
visual wayfinding.
4. Light & Color

1. Color & Surface Texture

Color: Modulation of Light

The interaction between color and light can be utilized to
best affect when both are considered together. Light
colors tend to reflect light which must be carefully
diffused to minimize the glare and reflections that deaf
individuals find so distracting. Dark colors can absorb
this strong reflective light.

Color Eddies: Shaping Space

Intimate spaces for signed conversations should be
created off of main movement and gathering spaces.
Darker colors applied to surfaces in select smaller spaces
can create an intimate experience that arises from a
feeling of being enveloped. Color and floor pattern can
create feelings of intimacy for smaller conversations
while allowing a connection to a larger space

Color Eddies: Shaping Space

4. Light & Color

1. Color & Surface Texture

Surface Glare: Mobility & Communication

Glare on surfaces can be distracting and disorienting for
people holding a signed conversation. Highly reflective
or specular surfaces for building skins, signage and other
elements should be limited in order to reduce exterior
glare. For example, brushed metal surfaces should be
used instead of polished metal. Plastics should be matt
finished instead of gloss. Stone surfaces should be
textured or honed instead of polished. Surface Glare: Mobility & Communication

Color : Contrasting Surface & Visual Language

Since communication between deaf and hard of hearing
individuals is so dependant on visual clarity, colors that
are contrasting and complimentary to skin colors are best
for backgrounds to sign language. Blues and greens
contrast with most skin colors. In addition, blues and
greens visually calm space by avoiding overstimulating
eyes and providing a restful backdrop for movement and
signing. In large and active spaces, painting surfaces
blue or green will help deaf and hard of hearing Color : Contrasting Surface & Visual
individuals better and more comfortably communicate. Language
4. Light & Color

1. Color & Surface Texture

Color: Orientation & Wayfinding

Color should be used for simple easy to navigate visual
orientation systems. It is a particularly important tool to
aid ease of movement for signing individuals. Color
should be used consistently and repetitively for
orientation at major thresholds, to mark vertical changes,
street and sidewalk edges and other situations that
normally cause a pause in signed conversation due to
navigation issues. Color: Orientation & Wayfinding
4. Light & Color

2. Solar Control-Daylight & Shade

Avoiding Backlighting
Bright windows located behind people or focal points in
spaces cause high contrast between subject and
environment. A person standing in front of a bright
window will be silhouetted, causing difficulty in reading
facial expressions and making eye contact. Avoiding Backlighting

Wash Surfaces with Light

Since communication between deaf and hard of hearing
individuals is so dependant on visual clarity, colors that
are contrasting and complimentary to skin colors are best
for backgrounds to sign language. Blues and greens
contrast with most skin colors. In addition, blues and
greens visually calm space by avoiding overstimulating
eyes and providing a restful backdrop for movement and
signing. In large and active spaces, painting surfaces
blue or green will help deaf and hard of hearing
individuals better and more comfortably communicate.
Wash Surfaces with Light
4. Light & Color

2. Solar Control-Daylight & Shade

Balance Light Using Multiple Sources

Daylight should be balanced within a given space
through multiple sources. A single window on an
exterior wall can create glare or backlighting problems.
A second source of light from a transom or skylight, for
example, can balance the light levels, reduce eye strain
and improve visual communication

Balance Light Using Multiple Sources

Light Shelves
Light shelves are one effective method of bringing light
deep into buildings while avoiding light that is overly
concentrated and which negatively impacts deaf
individuals ability to communicate and comfortably
navigate their environment.

Light Shelves
4. Light & Color

2. Solar Control-Daylight & Shade

Shaping Space: Light Eddies

Light can be used to create eddies outside of the flow of
traffic or adjacent to main gathering spaces. These
“eddies” can provide a more intimate lighting
environment for smaller gatherings and conversations.

Shaping Space: Light Eddies

Threshholds: Solar
Moving between interior and exterior spaces can result
in the need for time for the eye to adjust because of the
dramatic difference in footcandle levels. Walking out in
to the uncontrolled glare of a bright suny day can stop a
signed conversation in its tracks. Even on days when the
sun is obscured, big changes in ambient light levels
require an adjustment time for the eyes limiting the
ability to maintain a signed conversation. At these
threshold locations, sun light should be controlled to
create a transition zone that makes the change in light
level more gradual and, as a result, improves visual
communication across interior/exterior thresholds. Threshholds: Solar
4. Light & Color

2. Solar Control-Daylight & Shade

Shaded Paths
Exterior paths should be shaded from direct sunlight
whenever possible. Landscape elements such as tree
canopies and/or louvers, awnings or building overhangs
help increase visual and physical comfort for deaf
individuals and provide a glare free environment for
signed conversation

Shaded Paths
4. Light & Color

3. Electric Light - Shaping Space

Shaping Space: Light Layers

Layers of illumination built up from multiple sources
and fixture types should be used to break down large
spaces into sub-spaces that are tailored to the needs of
deaf individuals and the programs being enacted within
each zone. For example, in tall collective spaces, a Shaping Space: Light Layers
horizontal datum of light can create sub-spaces that
introduce a human scale that encourages more intimate
signed conversations. Other spaces might utilize light
layers in a different way to facilitate comfort and ease of
communication.

Light Dimming: Comfort & Control

The ability to control and revise light levels depending
on how a room is being used is particularly important in
the visu-centric Deaf community. To ensure that lighting
levels are appropriate for a given space or activity, users
should be given access to methods of dimming the
lighting in their environment.

Light Dimming: Comfort &

Control
4. Light & Color

2. Solar Control-Daylight & Shade

Lighting for Presentation Spaces

Lighting for Presentation Spaces should be flexible and
easily adjusted by the presenter to accommodate a
variety of presentation types. Provide ceiling mounted
spotlight fixtures at the foreground of the Presentation
Space to illuminate presenters and interpreters while
room lighting is dimmed for better viewing of media
presentations. Select and locate fixtures to provide a
cone of light at a minimum of xx square feet at the top of
the signing space at each side of the presentation screen. Lighting for Presentation
Locate fixtures as to not shine directly on the
Spaces
presentation screen.

Night Lighting: Pools of Light

At night time pools of light can be used to create spaces
for gathering and conversation within a larger exterior
space. These light “eddies” should be located along
primary paths, at major nodes, and near building
entrances

Night Lighting: Pools of Light

5. acoustic

 Deaf individuals experience many different kinds and degrees of hearing levels.  Many use
assistive devices such as hearing aids or cochlear implants to enhance sound.  No matter the
level of hearing, many deaf people do sense sound in a way that can be a major distraction,
especially for individuals with assistive hearing devices.  Reverberation caused by sound
waves reflected by hard building surfaces can be especially distracting, even painful, for
individuals using assistive devices. Spaces should be designed to reduce reverberation and
other sources of background noise.
5. Acoustics

1. Acoustics

Sound Reverberation: Shaping Space

Cochlear implants and hearing aids operate by
amplifying the direct first arrival signals sent from a
speaker. Problematic conditions occur because they also
amplify late multiple arrivals of the voice and other
background sounds. This can be distracting and make
speech unintelligible particularly in collective spaces and
classroom scenarios. Reverberation goals depend on the
function of the room, but generally speaking, low Sound Reverberation: Shaping Space
reverberation is required for speech intelligibility.

Equipment Noise: Communication

Equipment such as air handling units, fans, heaters and
water pumps, as well as associated duct work, should be
carefully dampened to prevent transmission of disruptive
sound and should be isolated from building structural
systems. Mechanical rooms should be located away from
office, teaching and gathering spaces and should employ
under floor pads or pre-fabricated resilient equipment
mounts to dampen sound. Ducts passing through
teaching or gathering spaces or through private offices Equipment Noise: Communication
should be dampened to prevent unwanted sound
transmission.
5. Acoustics

1. Acoustics

Background Noise: Program Adjacencies

A variety of program adjacencies are desirable for the
support of active Deaf culture. Background noise
resulting from these program adjacencies and from the
transparency that allows visual connection between
spaces must be carefully addressed. Spaces such as
classrooms should not be placed next to busy streets or
mechanical rooms while insulation and other sound
dampening techniques should be used to avoid sound
interference from adjacent collective and circulation
spaces.
Background Noise: Program Adjacencies
Thank You…