Blind and Visually Impaired Community
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A blind-accessible labyrinth? (self.Blind)
submitted by earth_worx
Hi there :)
I build labyrinths. These are different from mazes, which have multiple paths and try to confuse you. A labyrinth traditionally only has one path (unicursal) curled in on itself over and over, and you use it as a kind of walking meditation. You walk until you get to the center of the labyrinth, and then you turn around and walk out and end up in the same spot where you began.
From an accessibility standpoint, what kind of edges would the path ideally have so you could sense them? I'm also taking into account for wheelchair accessibility, and the possibility that someone may just get fed up and want to roll directly out over all the path edges if they want to, so I need to design something low but not a trip hazard!
If anyone here has ever walked a labyrinth I'd love to hear what you thought of the experience :)
I build labyrinths. These are different from mazes, which have multiple paths and try to confuse you. A labyrinth traditionally only has one path (unicursal) curled in on itself over and over, and you use it as a kind of walking meditation. You walk until you get to the center of the labyrinth, and then you turn around and walk out and end up in the same spot where you began.
From an accessibility standpoint, what kind of edges would the path ideally have so you could sense them? I'm also taking into account for wheelchair accessibility, and the possibility that someone may just get fed up and want to roll directly out over all the path edges if they want to, so I need to design something low but not a trip hazard!
If anyone here has ever walked a labyrinth I'd love to hear what you thought of the experience :)
KillerLag 7 points 4y ago
Raised edges would be better than a indented marker. When it is indented, a cane can go over it, and the person can end up walking over one of the lines. The raised edges are more concrete to find with a cane.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:%E5%A4%9C%E9%96%93%E7%82%B9%E5%AD%97%E3%83%96%E3%83%AD%E3%83%83%E3%82%AF.jpg
Tactile markers such as these can be felt, but low enough a wheelchair can go over it (although you'd have to have it more continuous). The picture also showed a version that has LED lights built into it, but that may be a bit difficult to construct.
One thing I should mention about those tactile marks on the floor is that while wheelchairs can go over them, they can also be a tripping hazard for people using a support cane who can't lift their legs up high enough. I actually know a facility who is ripping that kind of tiles out because they were having serious issues with people tripping on them.
If you are given a lot of latitude and area, a design that is more squareish/has right angles may also be easier to navigate than one that is all curved. Curves are harder to tell how much someone has turned, as opposed to right angles.
I think you can also make a labyrinth that has a separate entrance and exit, rather than locating the middle and turning around. One of my clients did that kind before, but she has more vision than most of my clients.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:%E5%A4%9C%E9%96%93%E7%82%B9%E5%AD%97%E3%83%96%E3%83%AD%E3%83%83%E3%82%AF.jpg
Tactile markers such as these can be felt, but low enough a wheelchair can go over it (although you'd have to have it more continuous). The picture also showed a version that has LED lights built into it, but that may be a bit difficult to construct.
One thing I should mention about those tactile marks on the floor is that while wheelchairs can go over them, they can also be a tripping hazard for people using a support cane who can't lift their legs up high enough. I actually know a facility who is ripping that kind of tiles out because they were having serious issues with people tripping on them.
If you are given a lot of latitude and area, a design that is more squareish/has right angles may also be easier to navigate than one that is all curved. Curves are harder to tell how much someone has turned, as opposed to right angles.
I think you can also make a labyrinth that has a separate entrance and exit, rather than locating the middle and turning around. One of my clients did that kind before, but she has more vision than most of my clients.
BrailleNomad 3 points 4y ago
It could also be cool to do something aural/auditory as well. Or, non-offensive scents, like fragrant plants could be really nice and enjoyed by everyone.
rebel_134 1 points 4y ago
I got this horror puzzle game called Dark Echo, and they use sound to give you clues about where you are. There’s more to that, but that’s the basic gist. There are a few visual elements, but the game is pretty fun for the most part.
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