Universal Design Standards for Wayfinding Systems for the Blind and Visually Impaired to Improve Quality of Life | ||||
| International Design Journal | ||||
| Article 5, Volume 15, Issue 4 - Serial Number 67, July and August 2025, Page 55-66 PDF (2.33 MB) | ||||
| Document Type: Original Article | ||||
| DOI: 10.21608/idj.2025.369485.1295 | ||||
 View on SCiNiTO | ||||
| Author | ||||
samah haroun abd el salam 
| ||||
| advertising-apllied art 6october | ||||
| Abstract | ||||
| Wayfinding is an information system that helps individuals navigate through different environments. A well-designed system enhances spatial experience and creates a sense of place. For blind and visually impaired individuals, wayfinding presents significant challenges due to their inability to interact with visual elements. Developing effective wayfinding systems for this group is essential for improving their independence and quality of life. As communication tools advance, designing for visually impaired individuals has become a critical human rights issue. This research aims to apply universal design principles to wayfinding systems for the blind and visually impaired by integrating tactile signage and maps. This integration ensures the effectiveness of environmental information systems, enhancing quality of life, independence, and safe mobility in public spaces. The study analyzes the challenges these individuals face during navigation, highlighting the importance of combining visual, tactile, and auditory elements to enable safe and easy navigation. The significance of this research lies in improving the quality of life for blind and visually impaired individuals by creating safer environments that facilitate better communication and wayfinding, reducing daily obstacles. The research employs a descriptive methodology to examine universal design standards for incorporating tactile signage and maps into wayfinding systems. It includes case studies of global urban wayfinding models and assesses the incorporation of universal design principles in the "Signage and Wayfinding Systems Design 2" course, proposing improvements to align the curriculum with the needs of visually impaired individuals. | ||||
| Keywords | ||||
| Universal Design; Wayfinding; Tactile Signage | ||||
|
Supplementary Files
|
||||
| References | ||||
|
1- Almeida, M. F. X. M., Martins, L. B., & Lima, F. J. (2015). Analysis of wayfinding strategies of blind people using tactile maps. Procedia Manufacturing, 3, 6020–6027. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.promfg.2015.07.716 2- Allen, G. L. (1999). Cognitive abilities in the service of wayfinding: A functional approach. The Professional Geographer, 51(4), 555-561. 3- American Foundation for the Blind. (1972). Orientation and mobility for the blind. American Foundation for the Blind. 4- Applied Wayfinding, Alta Planning, Design, & 3 Square Blocks. (2019). Seattle pedestrian wayfinding visual design standards – Pilot phase. Seamless Seattle. 5- Architectural Services Department. (n.d.). Wayfinding, orientation, and signage: Universal accessibility for external areas, open spaces, and green spaces (Version 3.5). Architectural Services Department. 6- Arthur, P., & Passini, R. (1992). Wayfinding: People, signs, and architecture. 7- Braille Literacy Canada. (2024). BLC accessible signage guidelines 2024. Braille Literacy Canada 8- Caddeo, P., Fornara, F., Nenci, A. M., & Piroddi, A. (2006). Wayfinding tasks in visually impaired people: The role of tactile maps. Cognitive Processing, 7(3), 204-218. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10339-006-0128-9 9- Carreon, R. S. (2000). Wayfinding by people with visual impairments in the exterior urban environment (Master’s thesis). University of Manitoba. 10- City of Sydney. (2016). Tactile and Braille street signs – Users guide. City of Sydney 11- De Paolis, R., & Guerini, S. (2015). Wayfinding accessible design. In C. Gambardella (Ed.), Heritage and technology: Mind, knowledge, experience – XIII Forum Internazionale di Studi Le Vie dei Mercanti (pp. 1411–1413). La Scuola di Pitagora Editrice. 12- Department of Human Services, South Australia. (2019). Accessible wayfinding and signage toolkit. Government of South Australia. 13- Emo, B. (2012). Wayfinding in real cities: Experiments at street corners. In Spatial Cognition VIII: International Conference, Spatial Cognition 2012, Kloster Seeon, Germany, August 31–September 3, 2012. Proceedings 8 (pp. 461-477). Springer Berlin Heidelberg. 14- Fogli, D., Arenghi, A., & Gentilin, F. (2020). A universal design approach to wayfinding and navigation. Multimedia Tools and Applications, 79, 33577–33601. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11042-019-08492-2 15- Horsfall, B. (1997). Tactile maps: New materials and improved designs. Journal of Visual Impairment & Blindness, 91(1), 61-65. 16- Lansdowne Park. (2012). Accessible signage guidelines. BDEL 17- Passini, R. (1984). Spatial representations, a wayfinding perspective. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 4(2), 153-164. 18- ubryan, H. (2010). Tactile maps as navigational aids. Center for Inclusive Design and Environmental Access, University at Buffalo. 19- U.S. Access Board. (2022). ADA guides: Chapter 7 - Signs. U.S. Access Board. Retrieved from https://www.access-board.gov/ada/guides/ | ||||
|
Statistics Article View: 481 PDF Download: 87 |
||||
