DESIGN FOR THE BLIND AND VISUALLY IMPAIRED
BEST PRACTICES GUIDE [text only preliminary draft]
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[draft note: These guidelines were developed by Erin Rumer and Fred Tepfer at the University of Oregon during the spring of 2006. This review draft is being circulated for comment. Please send suggestions to:
f t e p f e r @ u o r e g o n . e d u
Crosswalks:
Either zebra stripe (stripes perpendicular to direction of travel) or edge stripe is acceptable. Best practice is both together [future link to diagram].
Use torchdown/hot tape material for tactile cue as well as contrast.
Curb ramps:
If possible, offset curb ramps from direction of travel or shorelines such as edge of pavement or edge of wall.
Slope curb ramp exactly in the direction of safe crossing, parallel to crosswalk to provide best starting direction.
Slope curb ramp at exactly 1:12 wherever possible to clearly communicate the transition to a vehicular area. Lower slopes are often not perceived as crossings.
Install truncated domes in contrasting luminance (contrast) on the slope of the curb ramp. [Yellow on concrete doesn't have enough luminance contrast]
Flat plazas with traffic:
(as at Heart of Campus at 13th and University and at 13th near Lillis)
Delineate all transitions between pedestrian and traffic areas with a strip of tactile paving at least 30 inches wide (truncated domes).
Use planters or other barriers to minimize the crossing distances.
Provide identifiable crosswalks at best crossing points if at all possible.
Handrails: Provide continuous handrails on both sides of stairs and ramps, even at landings, so that the continuity of the stair or ramp can be followed easily.
Good example: Lillis west exterior stairs and ramp. Bad example: Lillis east stairs down to courtyard.
Handrail extensions should always guide in the direction of travel, not turn sideways except where they would be hazardous.
Handrail extensions should generally return directly down to ground or at least within 12" to provide a cane detection surface.
Stairs should have high-contrast strip at top and bottom minimum, preferred at each tread. Value contrast (very light on very dark) is preferred over hue contrast (yellow on gray). Outdoors, deep scored lines can provide both tactile as well as visual contrast.
[find good/bad examples, photos]
Stairs and ramps should have simple, direct, cartesian designs that help maintain orientation for blind/low vision users. Steps must be regular and at 90 degrees to the direction of travel.
Bad example: EMU Addition
In addition to avoiding protrusion hazards as defined in federal standards (protruding more than 4" horizontally, between 27 inches above floor level and 80 inches above floor level), avoid protrusions that are above 20" above floor level unless cane detection features such as curbs or rails are provided. [more research!]
Locate tactile signage per federal standards between 50" and 60" above the floor in the wall adjacent to the latch side of the door. Provide adequate space for someone to read the tactile signage without risking being struck at the door is opened (typically 18 inches).
Toilet rooms with entrance baffles and no doors are preferred, as they provide an audio cue to the toilet room location.
Provide floor mats inside of and outside of main building entrances to provide tactile and visual cues to the entrance location.
Provide visual distinction between glass doors and windows next to glass doors. For example, do not put a fixed rail over the glass at the level of the panic bar on the door.
Keep corridor locations consistent on each floor if at all possible.
Long, straight corridors with daylight at the ends are preferred.
Provide a continuous wall along corridor edges, avoiding excessive recesses and alcoves, so that a clear shoreline edge is provided for navigation. Where shoreline wall is interrupted, provide alternative cue such as texture change.
Swing doors into rooms, or recess them so that they don't swing out into the corridor.
Make benches of materials that contrast with their backgrounds.
Use high-reflectance materials for walks to provide contrast with grass and ground.
Provide white or light tops to trash receptacles to provide contrast.
Use white bus stop poles with Braille signage.