Blind and Visually Impaired Community
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Round door (self.Blind)
submitted by Just-A-Student-UwU
Hello everyone, I hope that you are all doing well.
I know that this is a weird question
But I want to know if a round door ( shaped like a circle) would be confusing for a blind person.
I'm working on an architectural project, and I want it to be accessible for the blind, so I'm not sure if I should keep the idea of using a round door.
I know that this is a weird question
But I want to know if a round door ( shaped like a circle) would be confusing for a blind person.
I'm working on an architectural project, and I want it to be accessible for the blind, so I'm not sure if I should keep the idea of using a round door.
BlueRock956 3 points 3y ago
How would it be accessible for someone in a wheelchair? How big would the diameter of the door be? A round door in a hobbit's home works because they are short, and I imagine that it was easier to build a round door on the side of the hill.
Just-A-Student-UwU [OP] 1 points 3y ago
I'm not working on a hobbit home, I'm just planning on using the door somewhere in my project (a museum, a restaurant, a mediatheque and a residence for blind students).
I can make sure to give it big dimensions so it will be accessible for everyone :3
I can make sure to give it big dimensions so it will be accessible for everyone :3
KillerLag 3 points 3y ago
Round like a hobbit door? )https://knysnawoodworkers.co.za/hobbit-door/)
Two big questions would be the location of the doorknob and the the size of the door.
For the doorknob, most people would expect the doorknob on one of the sides. A doorknob in the middle is not usually an expected location, especially if it is a pull ring rather than a doorknob.
The size would be important as well. Modern rectangular doors have equal heights. A circular door would have the highest point in the middle, but then it curves downwards. If the door diameter is only 6 feet across (so the highest point is 6 feet), someone crossing closer to one of the sides has a higher likelihood of banging their head (if tall) or tripping on a doorframe that curves towards the feet.
Two big questions would be the location of the doorknob and the the size of the door.
For the doorknob, most people would expect the doorknob on one of the sides. A doorknob in the middle is not usually an expected location, especially if it is a pull ring rather than a doorknob.
The size would be important as well. Modern rectangular doors have equal heights. A circular door would have the highest point in the middle, but then it curves downwards. If the door diameter is only 6 feet across (so the highest point is 6 feet), someone crossing closer to one of the sides has a higher likelihood of banging their head (if tall) or tripping on a doorframe that curves towards the feet.
Just-A-Student-UwU [OP] 2 points 3y ago
Thank you for your reply!!
Yes I meant like a hobbit door.
I'm thinking of either having just an opening (just a hole in the wall, the door doesn't close)
Or the door would open automatically.
I will be careful about the size of the door.
Do you have any suggestions to help avoid tripping on the door frame? Like a change in texture or an element that can be added on the door.
Yes I meant like a hobbit door.
I'm thinking of either having just an opening (just a hole in the wall, the door doesn't close)
Or the door would open automatically.
I will be careful about the size of the door.
Do you have any suggestions to help avoid tripping on the door frame? Like a change in texture or an element that can be added on the door.
KillerLag 4 points 3y ago
If someone is using a white cane, they should fine the door frame before tripping on it. If someone has low vision and the door frame is low contrasting (the floor is a dark wood, and the doorframe is also a dark wood), it would be much harder to see. If there is higher contrast (the doorframe is a lighter colour, or safety orange), that would make it easier to see, but that may not fit with the asthetic (like, if you are actually making a hobbit house).
Your best bet would probably be a lighter coloured wall, and darker frame, and the door itself also be lighter. That would make it stand out easier.
Your best bet would probably be a lighter coloured wall, and darker frame, and the door itself also be lighter. That would make it stand out easier.
Just-A-Student-UwU [OP] 2 points 3y ago
Thank you for your advice :3
I'm planning on contrasting all the doors with the walls and floor to avoid confusion.
I'm planning on contrasting all the doors with the walls and floor to avoid confusion.
KillerLag 6 points 3y ago
Good luck on your project! Now I'm picturing an accessible Hobbit home.
Didn't Gandalf keep smacking his head against the chandelier in the movie? Something else to watch for ;)
Didn't Gandalf keep smacking his head against the chandelier in the movie? Something else to watch for ;)
codeplaysleep 2 points 3y ago
Having read the other comments/your replies, the other thing I would add is that personally, I would design it so that it's not a complete circle - just most of one, with the bottom cut off to make sure that the area along the floor was at least the width of a standard doorway. This will make it easier for anyone with an accessibility need to navigate.
Just-A-Student-UwU [OP] 1 points 3y ago
Thank you for your reply :3
Yes, I may have to change the shape slightly to make it accessible.
I will see how it turns out later in the project xD
Yes, I may have to change the shape slightly to make it accessible.
I will see how it turns out later in the project xD
vwlsmssng 2 points 3y ago
Think about partially sighted people with a restricted field of view. They can see there is a door or aperture and possibly see there is another room through the door. They may not see the edges of the door at the top and the bottom.
I think there is a hazard where the aperture curves at the top and the bottom, the VI person who normally using the edges of the door to judge where it is safe to walk through would now be misled.
I think there is a hazard where the aperture curves at the top and the bottom, the VI person who normally using the edges of the door to judge where it is safe to walk through would now be misled.
Just-A-Student-UwU [OP] 2 points 3y ago
Thank you for your reply!!
I will take this into account and see how I can make it safe.
If I can't, I will just drop the idea of a round door xD
I will take this into account and see how I can make it safe.
If I can't, I will just drop the idea of a round door xD
vwlsmssng 2 points 3y ago
If the door was tall enough so there was always clear headroom and there was no indent at the lower 1.5m, so more of an omega or key hole shape you might have an interesting shape, avoid hazardous projections and still have enough physical and visual cues for those with restricted or no vision.
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