Finding Your Way – A Breakout Session and Discussion about Wayfinding, Design and Learning from Those with Vision Loss ( breakout presentation )

Abstract

Background Our presentation will raise awareness of what life is like for the thousands of Canadians who live with vision loss. We will discuss the basic concepts of wayfinding and universal accessibility, and how these notions relate to partially sighted individuals. Urban Systems has partnered with the Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB) for this presentation to promote awareness and share the experience of the blind and partially sighted as they find their way through public and private infrastructure. Description of Program Urban Systems will discuss how ideas of wayfinding and accessibility influence our work as Landscape Architects, Environmental Designers and Urban Planners, and share local examples from environments that we design and encounter on a daily basis. We see the potential to explore concepts of wayfinding as a tool to navigate our pedestrian environment and how it can be adapted and designed to serve a broader community regardless of adversity. CNIB will discuss different levels of visual impairment and how the built environment affects the blind and partially sighted. To those with vision loss, walking can be equated with freedom. An Orientation and Mobility instructor from CNIB will discuss some of the issues and concerns that visually impaired people experience as they navigate through the built environment, as well as models to increase access. Outcomes Urban Systems and CNIB will share specific examples of everyday design elements that pose challenges and opportunities for those with vision loss. We will discuss how simple design changes or products can improve these challenges. Our team will also share examples where designers and CNIB have collaborated on inclusive projects, such as the CNIB Scent Garden, and the CNIB Sensory Playground. Our breakout session will conclude with a discussion to explore successful elements, lessons learned and potential considerations for the future to make the public realm and wayfinding elements accessible, diverse and useful to the communities they serve. Implications Through a shared discussion of experiences, participants will learn and converse. The intent is that all will leave with an awareness of how design decisions related to wayfinding and accessibility within the pedestrian environment affect people of all abilities and mobilities.