Blind and Visually Impaired Community
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Writing: Creating a city designed for the blind (self.Blind)
submitted by jetgeneration
Hello!
I’ve lurked these boards for a while, and I’ve read over all the “Hi I’m an author please tell me how to make my blind character believable,” as well as general threads. I’m another author, and I’m researching disability related questions. But I’m interested in accessibility. One of the cities in my latest novel is designed and controlled by a visually impaired ruling class— those both naturally born blind and others that have chosen to be so. It’s a non-western setting and the level of tech is about early renaissance. No magic, but some tech that may seem like magic. so there aren’t cars or mass transit, but probably horse drawn carriages and maybe canoes if I add canals.
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If you have time, I’d love to know what you think would prioritize accessibility over sighted convenience. What do you wish there were more or less of? Are any exterior or interior designs especially irritating?
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So things like, square blocks vs. windy streets? Narrow vs. wide hallways? Are railings only useful in unfamiliar places or all the time? A citywide system to navigate by touch or sound? Things to consider in a marketplace, store, or school?
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I guess this is a thought exercise, and even though I’ve brainstormed a bunch, running it by y'all with real experience seems responsible and I hope to avoid common assumptions. Thanks again for your thoughts and if this is in any way inappropriate, please remove. Much love!
I’ve lurked these boards for a while, and I’ve read over all the “Hi I’m an author please tell me how to make my blind character believable,” as well as general threads. I’m another author, and I’m researching disability related questions. But I’m interested in accessibility. One of the cities in my latest novel is designed and controlled by a visually impaired ruling class— those both naturally born blind and others that have chosen to be so. It’s a non-western setting and the level of tech is about early renaissance. No magic, but some tech that may seem like magic. so there aren’t cars or mass transit, but probably horse drawn carriages and maybe canoes if I add canals.
​
If you have time, I’d love to know what you think would prioritize accessibility over sighted convenience. What do you wish there were more or less of? Are any exterior or interior designs especially irritating?
​
So things like, square blocks vs. windy streets? Narrow vs. wide hallways? Are railings only useful in unfamiliar places or all the time? A citywide system to navigate by touch or sound? Things to consider in a marketplace, store, or school?
​
I guess this is a thought exercise, and even though I’ve brainstormed a bunch, running it by y'all with real experience seems responsible and I hope to avoid common assumptions. Thanks again for your thoughts and if this is in any way inappropriate, please remove. Much love!
vwlsmssng 9 points 4y ago
Include a Guild of Loppers who are empowered by the City to take shears and pruners to any tree or shrub that extends beyond the boundaries of any private garden and below the height of the tallest citizen.
jetgeneration [OP] 1 points 4y ago
they will be ruthless.
GoBlindOrGoHome 7 points 4y ago
Not inappropriate to ask, just incredibly repetitive.
My one unique idea is that your city could have different sectors, each with a tower that plays a different tune. The citizens can tell by the tune where they are, and follow the sound towards where they want to go.
As always, straight walkways running east and west, north and south, as many blind people orient themselves by cardinal direction. Perhaps special, tactile compasses could be laid into the walls at intersections.
Perhaps the city uses only ramps (no stairs). Maybe some people have unconventional (but real) guide animals like miniature horses.
My one unique idea is that your city could have different sectors, each with a tower that plays a different tune. The citizens can tell by the tune where they are, and follow the sound towards where they want to go.
As always, straight walkways running east and west, north and south, as many blind people orient themselves by cardinal direction. Perhaps special, tactile compasses could be laid into the walls at intersections.
Perhaps the city uses only ramps (no stairs). Maybe some people have unconventional (but real) guide animals like miniature horses.
jetgeneration [OP] 2 points 4y ago
Sorry for the repetitiveness! I hope the topic of the post makes it easier to ignore for that.
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I love that idea for towers, and different areas with persistent musical cues. They could combine into a different song depending on where one stood. Thanks!
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I love that idea for towers, and different areas with persistent musical cues. They could combine into a different song depending on where one stood. Thanks!
KillerLag 7 points 4y ago
General preference is for things to be consistent. It would be irritating to constantly have to check different levels for signage (if braille is a thing),
Generally speaking, straight lines are preferably, although a winding path can still be used if there is something to follow along (a wall or a railing). The side you walk along would probably be more strict (if there isn't a formal rule regarding that), to limit running into other people (in the same way that cars drive on the right in North America).
Narrow or wide halls wouldn't matter as much, unless it is too narrow for two people to navigate past each other. Then that becomes an issue.
One big question would be, what does someone use to sense things at a distance? In the modern age, we mostly use hearing and tactile feedback via a cane. A church may be identified by a ringing bell (hopefully not so loud to drown other sounds out), or perhaps a tactile post near the path.
Depending on the level of vision people still retain, glass may be used less. For that time period, glass was still quite expensive. If the vast majority don't need the extra light the glass provides, they may opt for making more buildings without windows. However, if people had poor vision, more sunlight may be helpful to see, so they may make more glass windows.
Generally speaking, straight lines are preferably, although a winding path can still be used if there is something to follow along (a wall or a railing). The side you walk along would probably be more strict (if there isn't a formal rule regarding that), to limit running into other people (in the same way that cars drive on the right in North America).
Narrow or wide halls wouldn't matter as much, unless it is too narrow for two people to navigate past each other. Then that becomes an issue.
One big question would be, what does someone use to sense things at a distance? In the modern age, we mostly use hearing and tactile feedback via a cane. A church may be identified by a ringing bell (hopefully not so loud to drown other sounds out), or perhaps a tactile post near the path.
Depending on the level of vision people still retain, glass may be used less. For that time period, glass was still quite expensive. If the vast majority don't need the extra light the glass provides, they may opt for making more buildings without windows. However, if people had poor vision, more sunlight may be helpful to see, so they may make more glass windows.
jetgeneration [OP] 2 points 4y ago
Less or no windows, design without lighting in mind... yesss
blindnessandbees 6 points 4y ago
The grounds of the center of the blind (which is quite big, and has a lot of buildings with different purposes) where I go has a few different street. Every street is made of different tiles, so when you walk with a cane you can feel and hear on what street you’re walking!
jetgeneration [OP] 2 points 4y ago
Different textures and sounds on the ground... that sounds helpful and a detail more subtle than an average sighted person would notice. thanks!
blindnessandbees 3 points 4y ago
Yeah, and it doesn’t even have to be so complex. My center for the blind legit just uses different bricks and tiles. They aren’t made special or anything, because the difference between a smooth path vs a brick path or a stone tiled path is big enough
blind__panic 5 points 4y ago
Depending on the level of vision you intend these people to have, I’d say lots of bright colour coding would be good. (In the real world, tactile paving is often also coloured to assist people with some vision). Colour could be used to indicate type of building. Maybe stores are blue, libraries are yellow, coffee shops are green, something like this? This way, they could be identified without the need to read a sign. My inspiration is partly coming from the fact that I always find it really easy to find a Starbucks, because they always have a lot of green on the exterior.
If your society doesn’t have brightly coloured paints, maybe they do have bright flowers that they could plant around buildings, to fill a similar purpose.
Also, if you’re gonna have horse drawn carts, you need very good separation between pedestrians and vehicles! Horses won’t stop so quickly for someone who wanders off the pavement. Maybe a city centre which is entirely pedestrianised is best, or at least a form of transport that doesn’t require pedestrians to navigate around it. (All cars restricted to underground tunnels?)
If your society doesn’t have brightly coloured paints, maybe they do have bright flowers that they could plant around buildings, to fill a similar purpose.
Also, if you’re gonna have horse drawn carts, you need very good separation between pedestrians and vehicles! Horses won’t stop so quickly for someone who wanders off the pavement. Maybe a city centre which is entirely pedestrianised is best, or at least a form of transport that doesn’t require pedestrians to navigate around it. (All cars restricted to underground tunnels?)
derrekjthompson 5 points 4y ago
I don’t have anything to add, just wanted to say this is an interesting thread.
happyforyoubutami 4 points 4y ago
Everything should be regular (as opposed to irregular). Think pavement v cobblestones. No low level obstacles (like wet floor signs and those red balls outside target). All stair have the same number of steps and are the same height and depth. Bright downlighting (ambient uplighting is not at all helpful). (This is based on what helps my husband).
EconomyWish 3 points 4y ago
$1 is a book that might interest you. She talks specifically about architecture, city design, etc., and touches on a bit of the history of accessible design in the developed world. It may give you an idea or two from a designer's perspective.
jetgeneration [OP] 1 points 4y ago
Oh that's perfect. Thank you!
the9thpawn_ 2 points 4y ago
Accessibility is a core part of good design and much like good design the best accessibility tools go unnoticed. Having solid public transit would be necessary and spaces should also be designed to minimize glare and eye strain. The design should also be consistent throughout the city to reduce strain on working memory. For me, striped carpets and the grates in entrances set off my nystagmus basically blinding me. I also am really sensitive to flourescent lights because the flickering messes with my nystagmus and I notice them way before everyone else does.
AllHarlowsEve 2 points 4y ago
An idea I think would be neat would be buildings fronts being slightly concave, with the deepest part being where the door is. Also, different building materials or designs for different interests, ie wood taverns, inns, pubs and the like, brick stores, cinderblock houses, etc.
Low brick guides around the city to almost outline all paths would be neat, as well as the "roads" being carriage lanes but the bulk of what would normally be the road taken up by walking lanes. Carriages would also probably be replaced mostly with something longer, so you can fit more people in them and use them as public transit.
If you're not going for totals only, bright colors, high contrast, and lots of windows could be a good idea. If for totals, then it would likely be more plain and focus more on function over form.
On the flip'side, inside homes and businesses, there would be a slightly greater focus on form. Things like well cushioned stools in a pub, mugs with intricate designs, unique to the tavern or the like, a firm grid on tables and chairs to create more safe navigation, strict design standards, ie the baths in an inn are laid out in rows, each one has whatever the equivalent of a faucet past the basin, to the left is the towel racks, to the right is where you put your clothes, etc.
Low brick guides around the city to almost outline all paths would be neat, as well as the "roads" being carriage lanes but the bulk of what would normally be the road taken up by walking lanes. Carriages would also probably be replaced mostly with something longer, so you can fit more people in them and use them as public transit.
If you're not going for totals only, bright colors, high contrast, and lots of windows could be a good idea. If for totals, then it would likely be more plain and focus more on function over form.
On the flip'side, inside homes and businesses, there would be a slightly greater focus on form. Things like well cushioned stools in a pub, mugs with intricate designs, unique to the tavern or the like, a firm grid on tables and chairs to create more safe navigation, strict design standards, ie the baths in an inn are laid out in rows, each one has whatever the equivalent of a faucet past the basin, to the left is the towel racks, to the right is where you put your clothes, etc.
jetgeneration [OP] 1 points 4y ago
really cool ideas. Is there a specific function the concave part of the building would be?
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