Multi-sensory Design for people with visual impairments

Author

Joshua LevyFollow

Date of Graduation

5-2020

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelor of Architecture

Degree Level

Undergraduate

Department

Architecture

Advisor/Mentor

McCown, Ken

Committee Member/Reader

Webb, Jennifer

Committee Member/Second Reader

Muir, Sherry

Abstract

Architectural design commonly focuses on the visual qualities of its manifestation, leaving people with visual impairments aside from its qualitative goals. In order to counteract this phenomenon and appropriately address people with low visual acuity / legal blindness, we must understand the people within this large community as well as current policies focusing on different types of accommodations for spatial practicality. Understanding the people will entail a dive into what a visual impairment is, what it is like, and understanding how people perceive the world as a whole. Then it is necessary to understand current policies that designers have adopted in order to benefit those with physical disabilities by making all space accessible to all people. After establishing an understanding of the current state of the issue we can move forward by breaking down a set of guiding principle that is based on sensory cues. This will lead to an understanding of how to make architecture a multi-sensory experience for everyone while specifically benefiting those with visual impairments.

Keywords

Architecture Multi-sensory Blind visual impairment visually impaired tactile

Citation

Levy, J. (2020). Multi-sensory Design for people with visual impairments. Architecture Undergraduate Honors Theses Retrieved from https://scholarworks.uark.edu/archuht/43