Devin Causley MCIP RPP

March 24, 2018

Imagine your lost half your sight tomorrow, how would this change the way you live and navigate your world?

Would you be driving?

Would you be living in the same location?

Could you do your job?

Would you feel comfortable walking down the street?

Other Ideas?

There are approx 1.1 million people in Canada living with blindness or partial sight

Degree of vision loss can impact economic opportunities and social interaction70% of blind or visually impaired

people are unemployedPortion of population with vision

loss is growing Most live normal, functional lives

Vision loss refers to individuals who have trouble seeing, even with correction, and individuals who are blind or unable to see.

Visual impairment

Low vision

Legal blindness

Total blindness

Vision loss can be caused by eye problems that are present from birth, by conditions that appear later in life, or by infections or environmental factors.

Eye Connect Aging EyesAMD AstigmatismCataracts Charles Bonnet syndromeDiabetic Eye Disease Diabetic Macular EdemaDry Eye Far-SightednessFloaters & Flashing Lights GlaucomaLazy Eye (Amblyopia) Near-SightednessPink Eye Retinal DetachmentRetinal Pigmentosa Retinal Vein Occlusion

Designing for Visual Accessibility.

Use signs, maps and directions in combination

Make signs clear and easy to read

Frequent and consistent locations

Follow standard signage conventionsDistinct signs for vehicles,

cyclists and pedestrians

Large print High contrasting

colours Differentiate with

colour Close to eye level Audible or interactive

Read Me Read Me Read Me

Help pedestrians find their way around.

Large and non-clutteredProvide key symbolsReference to points of

interestFrequent locationsEasy to identify –

consistent colour, shape, size

Textured language consisting of dots used by the blind and people with low vision

Used to communicate street names, describe locations and signals

Use changes in texture to communicate changes in grade, stairs or intersections.

Can be felt by feet or canes

Apply colours to the ground to indicate zones or pathways.

Sidewalks are a canvas, use them for messages.

Be creative!

Use sounds or narration to communicate key points or warnings

Intersection crossing signals (beeps) Adequate timing

Countdowns

Consistent location Pedestrian priority

Combine these elements to form a sense of security

Add generous space for pedestrians – room for mobility

Separation from vehicles and cyclists

Dog friendly

Wayfinding

Wayfinding enables people to orient themselves and navigate from place to place with ease.

Wayfinding is more than signs. Working together with other

elements of the public realm such as street furniture and public art, it includes names, landmarks, conventions, maps and new media. It contributes to making a city more "legible" for residents, commuters, and tourists alike. (City of Toronto)

Think of the city or neighbourhood as a mall Distinct yet consistent identity Welcoming and recognizable Complementary maps, signs and technology

What is nearby that might be of interest? Shops, services, tourism

What is coming up next along their path?

Accessibility, tourism, economic development share complementary objectives.

The Role of Civic Leaders

Observe – experience, inquire Engage – citizens, experts Adopt – design standards Review – permits and projects Share – your experience

Adopt urban design guidelines, setbacks and neighbourhood designs embracing accessibility.

Encourage the development of new standards scaled to pedestrians

Engage your provincial government to adopt standards.

Actively out those with mobility needs in public consultations.

Engage urban designers, architects and engineers to integrate accessibility.

Engage blind, low vision and people with disabilities to develop and test designs

Canadian National Institute for the BlindCommunity support

services for blind and low vision

National advocacy Canadian Council for the

BlindNational advocacy with

government and consumer organizations

Support agency

"If you design for the blind in mind, you get a city that is robust, accessible, well-connected...a more inclusive, more equitable city for all.“

Chris Downey, Architect

Devin Causley MCIP RPP P: 613-255-6120 E: causleyd@rogers.com