INTD 51 sustainable environments special populations

ethics

the moral obligation to do what is right

as designers we are accountable to make life as free from design problems as possiblefor those whose needs differ from the norm

design for special populations:

people with distinctive but similar design needsconstitute special populations

limited motionlimited hearinglimited visionthe elderly

design for motion impairments:

difficulty in walking may require the use of crutches, a cane, a walker, or a wheelchair

design for motion impairments:

design considerations for the motion impairedcenter around physical barriers:

curbs, steps, flooring materials

design for motion impairments:

design considerations for the motion impairedcenter around physical barriers:

narrow or heavy doors

design for motion impairments:

design considerations for the motion impairedcenter around physical barriers:

standard bathroom designs

design for motion impairments:

design considerations for the motion impairedcenter around physical barriers:

standard kitchen designs

design for motion impairments:

steps & ramps

minimum slope for ramps is best: rise of 1 ft. for every 12 ft. of length

design for motion impairments:

steps & ramps

steps should not have protruding nosing

design for motion impairments:

steps & ramps

all steps and ramps should be well lit

design for motion impairments:

steps & ramps

top of a handrail should be 34-38 inches above ramp or steps

design for motion impairments:

steps & ramps

handrails should be oval or round and should have a gripping surface of 1-1½ inches

design for motion impairments:

passage & turning

•36 in. minimum clearance for single wheelchair•60 in. minimum clearance for two chairs

design for motion impairments:

passage & turning

60 in. is the clear space required to make 180-degree turn

design for motion impairments:

passage & turning

lever type door handles are easiest

design for motion impairments:

passage & turningfloors should have a flat, non-skid surface

• if carpet is used, should be securely attached• pile depth should not be more than ½ inch

design for motion impairments:

kitchensall areas should be accessible to a frontal as wellas a parallel approach

design for motion impairments:

kitchens

varying countertop heights are recommended

design for motion impairments:

kitchens

•low counter near sink for food prep•maximum depth of 24 inches

design for motion impairments:

kitchens

•upper cabinets adjustable to several heights•handles on upper cabinets max of 48-in from floor•handles on lower cabinets min of 27-in from floor

design for motion impairments:

kitchens

leave space under counter, especially at sink•hot-water pipes should be insulated

design for motion impairments:

kitchens•sink controls should be side mounted or no more than 18-in. from front edge

design for motion impairments:

kitchens

toe-kick should be 12-in. high & 8-in. deep

design for motion impairments:

kitchens

pull-out trays allow better access

design for motion impairments:

kitchens

•wall-mounted ovens and microwaves allow better access•cooktops should have staggered burners•cooktop controls should be front mounted

design for motion impairments:

kitchens

design for motion impairments:

bathrooms

•pocket doors keep space clear

design for motion impairments:

bathrooms

•no cabinet under sink

design for motion impairments:

bathrooms

•toilets should be wall- mounted, 19-in. off floor•toilet is most easily approached from the side or with a diagonal approach

design for motion impairments:

bathrooms

•grab bars must be anchored in wood to support at least 250 lbs•24-36 in. horizontal grab bar behind toilet•30-in. horizontal bar mounted beside the toilet•some users will be able to negotiate a tub

design for motion impairments:

bathrooms•some users will need to be able to wheel into a shower

design for motion impairments:

bathrooms

•textured, non-slip grab bars make access easier

design for motion impairments:

bathrooms

•seat in the shower is also helpful•shower controls should be lever-type, single-mixing

•sink faucets should be lever-type & side mounted•medicine cabinets should be mounted lower•vanity mirrors should be mounted low enough to be used by someone seated•non-slip flooring & good ventilation is imperative

design for motion impairments:

bathrooms

design for motion impairments:

bedrooms

•mattress height should be equal to chair height•must be a 60- by 60-in. clear space, usually between bedroom door and bed to accommodate a wheelchair•36-in. at foot & far side of bed facilitate making bed & cleaning

design for motion impairments:

bedrooms

•footboard & headboard will often help in getting in & out of bed•slatted headboard may be helpful in turning over or moving in bed

design for motion impairments:

closets

•bi-fold or sliding doors are best

design for motion impairments:

closets

•rods should be mounted 45-54-in. high•shelves higher than 50-in. are not accessible from a seated position•slide-out shelves are most accessible

design for hearing impairment:

over 8 million people in the U.S. have extreme hearing loss—design can help make the quality of their lives better

many of the problems associated with interiors and hearing loss center around: •noise •sound reverberation•adequate light for manual communication

design for hearing impairment:

carpet & fabric wall coverings reduce noise reverberation & improve acoustics

design for hearing impairment:

•good lighting is imperative for manual communication and lip reading•good natural light helps visually and also creates the psychological feeling of openness and well- being

design for hearing impairment:

•furniture arranged in a semi-circle or u-shape facilitates signing and lip reading by providing clear sight lines from speaker to listener

design for hearing impairment:

•a round dining table is better than a rectangular table because it provides clear sight lines

design for hearing impairment:

•visual signals such as flashing lights can provide important visual cues—attached to things such as doorbell, telephone, fire alarm/smoke detector

design for hearing impairment:

•special phone systems for the hearing impaired include a screen and a keyboard that will require a specially planned space•because of the addition of extra electronic devices, adequate outlets should be planned

design for visual impairment:

people with impaired vision rely heavily on the senses of hearing and touch

tactile indicators and acoustics are critical for day-to-day activities in familiar spaces and for navigating in unfamiliar public environments

design for visual impairment:

the blind need tactile warning for danger:• door handles textured to indicate a dangerous area• landings and curbs can be textured to indicate steps or grade change

design for visual impairment:

hanging or protruding objects are dangerous because they cannot be detected with a canehandrails should extend 1 foot beyond the end of a stairway

design for visual impairment:

where there is more than one story, a handrailshould extend continuously from floor to floor, rather than stopping at the landing

design for visual impairment:

audible signals arehelpful at crosswalks, elevators, smoke detectors and fire alarms

design for visual impairment:

•signage is important—small groups of numbersand letters•persons born blind learn Braille— signage should include both letters/ numbers and Braille•tactile signs and signage should be universal throughout the building

design for visual impairment:

•gas cooktops better because gas makes a sound as it burns•controls should be mounted where the blind will not have to reach over the flame or coils•a lip on the counter may be helpful in preventing objects from being pushed off the edge

design for visual impairment:

•rounded corners and padded edges on furniture•hook next to electrical plugs can help to hang a plug where it is can be easily found

design for the elderly:

people are living longer today than ever before

concerns of the elderly include:•limited mobility•loss of hearing•loss of visual acuity

all previous considerations may apply

design for the elderly:

•visual contrast is important in judging space and distance—countertop should be light to contrast with dark floor

design for the elderly:

wayfinding is especially important in spaces designed for the elderly—

•slight recess in wall•color coding•distinctive art workor furniture

can all serve as indicators/reminders

design for the elderly:

•with age, the cornea of the eye yellows causing a distortion of color perception

•decreased control over bodilyfunctions should be considered in textile selection

other special populations:

the elderly, those with impaired motion, hearing & vision represent just a fraction of those with special needs•children•homeless•abused•chemically dependent•religious groups

•ethnic & cultural groups•convicted criminals•mentally ill•terminally ill