The architecture design checklist of classrooms for children with cochlear implant in rehabilitation centers

Abstract

Children with cochlear implants (CI) have unique physical, psychological, and behavioral needs compared to typically developing children, thus they go through a rehabilitation process for education and activity purposes in a rehabilitation center (RC). The provision of specialized support for children with CI reflects a nation's commitment to inclusivity and care for all segments of society. This study investigates the research gab of the needs of children with CI (aged 1–6) to identify the fundamental design requirements in order to develop an architectural design checklist for their classrooms. Through literature review and comparisons with standard preschool designs for typically developed children, the research identifies key design elements affecting these children's learning and integration. This study establishes a framework for optimizing RC's classroom design for children with CI. Following a methodological discussion addressing pertinent research considerations, a comprehensive user experience questionnaire was conducted. The questionnaire included participants from various stakeholder groups: parents, educators, medical professionals (psychiatrists and doctors), and design experts (architectural and acoustic engineers). The findings inform the identification of essential design elements encompassing layout, materials selection, ventilation strategies, lighting systems, acoustic control measures, and color palettes. Following analysis, the research concludes with a design checklist outlining optimal ranges (100 % = sub-optimum, 50 % = optimum, 0 % = over design) for each element, including furniture layout, color schemes, materials, classroom shape, lighting, and ventilation. This checklist ensures RC classrooms effectively cater to the specific needs of children with CI.