Blind and Visually Impaired Community
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Residential Design for People with Visual Impairments (self.Blind)
submitted by natalia_perezz
TLDR: I am an interior design student seeking opinions on design elements aimed to ease the lives of people with visual impairments.
I am a 3rd year interior design and business student in Australia completing my final design project.
Apologies for any incorrect terminology, this is the first time I have addressed this issue. Please correct me if you feel I am not understanding something.
My focus is on universal design, which are designs for everyone to enjoy in the same way. I am able bodied, however I find some accessible solutions, whether that be a really expensive clunky wheelchair stair lift or a separate art installation for people with visual impairments, not universal as its an extra that people can't enjoy in unity. My aim as a designer is to always design one design to suit everyone the best I possibly can!
For my assessment I am tackling Residential Design for People with Visual Impairments. I am currently researching design elements and innovating new designs that will all go into a "handbook" of my findings.
From my research, I have found that there are flooring, lighting and hardware solutions that make a world of difference for a visually impaired user.
I watch visually impaired youtubers such as Molly Burke and have built my knowledge learning from people like her. I have learnt things like she appreciates flush handles on cabinets and drawers as she often bumps her leg/hips on traditional handles. Do you agree?
I have designed a cabinet handle that is essentially a recessed cabinet pull where the user simply slots their fingertips into the recess, and pulls the door or drawer outwards. This already exists, however I have added a lighting element to this design. In my version, the recess would stretch all the way along the door or cabinet front. Tucked away within the recess is a led strip light. While I understand that everyone one has different levels of sight ability, this would provide a wayfinding element as well as ambient lighting to enjoy. I have a 3D print of this design to get opinions on the effectiveness of the design but have struggled to meet with local blind community groups due to COVID. So, I hope this was descriptive enough to get the picture across.
Essentially I am asking for your opinions on my project direction, some flooring, lighting, hardware solutions you have found useful or any other advice you have for me. Please tell me if I am making wrong assumptions, be blunt, be honest. My main concern is having the wrong approach by designing FOR people rather than designing WITH people.
Thanks in advance, sorry for the lengthy post.
I am a 3rd year interior design and business student in Australia completing my final design project.
Apologies for any incorrect terminology, this is the first time I have addressed this issue. Please correct me if you feel I am not understanding something.
My focus is on universal design, which are designs for everyone to enjoy in the same way. I am able bodied, however I find some accessible solutions, whether that be a really expensive clunky wheelchair stair lift or a separate art installation for people with visual impairments, not universal as its an extra that people can't enjoy in unity. My aim as a designer is to always design one design to suit everyone the best I possibly can!
For my assessment I am tackling Residential Design for People with Visual Impairments. I am currently researching design elements and innovating new designs that will all go into a "handbook" of my findings.
From my research, I have found that there are flooring, lighting and hardware solutions that make a world of difference for a visually impaired user.
I watch visually impaired youtubers such as Molly Burke and have built my knowledge learning from people like her. I have learnt things like she appreciates flush handles on cabinets and drawers as she often bumps her leg/hips on traditional handles. Do you agree?
I have designed a cabinet handle that is essentially a recessed cabinet pull where the user simply slots their fingertips into the recess, and pulls the door or drawer outwards. This already exists, however I have added a lighting element to this design. In my version, the recess would stretch all the way along the door or cabinet front. Tucked away within the recess is a led strip light. While I understand that everyone one has different levels of sight ability, this would provide a wayfinding element as well as ambient lighting to enjoy. I have a 3D print of this design to get opinions on the effectiveness of the design but have struggled to meet with local blind community groups due to COVID. So, I hope this was descriptive enough to get the picture across.
Essentially I am asking for your opinions on my project direction, some flooring, lighting, hardware solutions you have found useful or any other advice you have for me. Please tell me if I am making wrong assumptions, be blunt, be honest. My main concern is having the wrong approach by designing FOR people rather than designing WITH people.
Thanks in advance, sorry for the lengthy post.
Tarnagona 4 points 1y ago
Dimmer switches on EVERYTHING. Lighting is really tricky because some people needs lots of light, and others, like myself, find “normal” amounts of light too bright. My bathroom light is on a dimmer and I love it because bathrooms tend to have especially bright lights, but it also means my sighted fiancé can adjust for the brighter light that is his preference, too.
I can’t tell without seeing it, whether the igniting on your cabinet handles would cause me problems, but probably, because most lighted things do, unless you can turn the light right down. Then it might be nice.
I can’t tell without seeing it, whether the igniting on your cabinet handles would cause me problems, but probably, because most lighted things do, unless you can turn the light right down. Then it might be nice.
natalia_perezz [OP] 2 points 1y ago
Agreed! Dimmer switches are a fantastic idea. The lighting on my cabinet pulls will be adjustable led strips where you can change the brightness and colour from your phone or from a remote.
Bsmith0799 3 points 1y ago
Adjustable lighting would be amazing- some visual impairments tend to make people light sensitive, and then "add on disabilities" such as migraines or eye strain headaches can also affect light preferences. Other visual impaired individuals such as Molly Burke, for example, do tend to LIKE having that light.
Even something as simple as being able to push a button or flip a small switch on the lighting strip end to turn the lights on/off would greatly improve that.
Even something as simple as being able to push a button or flip a small switch on the lighting strip end to turn the lights on/off would greatly improve that.
natalia_perezz [OP] 1 points 1y ago
Thanks so much for the insight on light sensitivity. I really appreciate it and I will definitely consider that in my redesign
OutWestTexas 3 points 1y ago
Pocket doors!! And sliding doors on cabinets. They don’t stick out. They don’t have handles. Solves two of my biggest issues. I’ve had some nasty injuries from walking into open cabinet doors. Adjustable lighting would be nice. No stairs.
natalia_perezz [OP] 1 points 1y ago
These are all fantastic ideas, thank you!!!
KillerLag 3 points 1y ago
Conceptually interesting. Does the LEDs shine directly, or are they directed down, or have a cover on them? Can the light levels be adjusted? How are they powered? If battery powered, would the batteries be easily replaceable?
Would the cabinet be matte or glossy? Glossy could cause reflections which can cause glare issues (or reflections from other light sources that make the LEDs difficult to find).
How large would the lip be for someone to grasp the recessed handle? Someone who is older and has arthritis might find this design more difficult (but they may already have difficulty with existing designs as well).
What would the cost expected to be? If the cost is too high, that would greatly reduce the number of people who can afford this. Does it require having a specific type of drawer/door for it to work, or can it be attached to an existing door without any complex tools?
Would the cabinet be matte or glossy? Glossy could cause reflections which can cause glare issues (or reflections from other light sources that make the LEDs difficult to find).
How large would the lip be for someone to grasp the recessed handle? Someone who is older and has arthritis might find this design more difficult (but they may already have difficulty with existing designs as well).
What would the cost expected to be? If the cost is too high, that would greatly reduce the number of people who can afford this. Does it require having a specific type of drawer/door for it to work, or can it be attached to an existing door without any complex tools?
natalia_perezz [OP] 2 points 1y ago
These are some great points! Thank you so much for your insight.
The LEDs face downwards, they do not currently have a cover on them, they would have a remote to change colour and brightness etc. and it would be wall powered. I haven't yet considered the cabinet finish but you're absolutely right, the gloss would cause a lot of difficulties.
The lip wouldn't really be grabbed, it just requires fingers to slot up and into a groove designed for fingers (40mm deep and 30mm high). I suppose that this would be a good opportunity for my grandma to help test the prototype as she has arthritis.
The cost and installation isn't really something I have considered at all but I will have to address this in reflection. I haven't considered this point as the handbook is more of a reference for someone renovating their house or a builder or designer. Thank you again for your advice!
The LEDs face downwards, they do not currently have a cover on them, they would have a remote to change colour and brightness etc. and it would be wall powered. I haven't yet considered the cabinet finish but you're absolutely right, the gloss would cause a lot of difficulties.
The lip wouldn't really be grabbed, it just requires fingers to slot up and into a groove designed for fingers (40mm deep and 30mm high). I suppose that this would be a good opportunity for my grandma to help test the prototype as she has arthritis.
The cost and installation isn't really something I have considered at all but I will have to address this in reflection. I haven't considered this point as the handbook is more of a reference for someone renovating their house or a builder or designer. Thank you again for your advice!
natalia_perezz [OP] 1 points 1y ago
I really appreciate everyone's help with my research! You have guided me to consider many aspects my research hadn't found yet. If you have just 2 minutes of free time I have made a survey for you to provide your opinion on **the success of an interior designer with a focus on visually impaired clients.**
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rumster 1 points 1y ago
Your account is not old enough to post. I'm giving you a pass.
natalia_perezz [OP] 2 points 1y ago
Thank you so much, I really appreciate it!!!
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