Accessible Design For Public Buildings

When designing an accessible environment that meets the needs of people who are blind or have low vision, it is important to consider the principles of independence, dignity and safety. These recommendations aim to promote these key points.

On this page:

General Design Principles

A logical layout

Many people who are blind or have low vision rely on their memory to navigate around a building. Keeping design logical and simple can make independent navigation easier. For example, having toilets near the eating area or main reception area or placing soap and hand drying facilities adjacent to the washbasin area.
People who have low vision can orient themselves more easily and move about a building with more assurance if a right-angled design system has been used. Diagonal or curved elements should be avoided wherever possible.
People who have low vision should be able to walk from one destination to another with as few changes of direction as possible and without having to avoid obstructions if possible.
Large open areas should be broken down into smaller sections. People who have low vision may feel less secure the further they are away from "landmarks" such as walls and furniture. Large open areas can be made more manageable by using partitioning and furniture to establish clear pathways and rectangular areas. Creating tactile pathways can also help people maintain direction, for example, a "red carpet" pathway leading directly to the reception desk or a vinyl/tiled pathway across a large carpeted area.
Important function areas such as staircases, lifts, lavatories and waiting areas should be placed as centrally as possible.

Lighting

Most people who are blind have some residual vision and can perceive some level of light. In general, people who are blind or have low vision require two to three times the amount of light required by the sighted population.
It is important to have brighter lighting at entrances to a building to enable people's eyes to adjust from the change in moving from bright daylight outdoors to artificial lighting indoors.
The quality of lighting is just as important as the quantity. General room lighting should be evenly distributed and glare free across an area.
Overhead lighting should be recessed in such a way that light sources are not visible. All light fittings should be covered by diffusers.
Full-spectrum light fittings with high colour rendering properties benefit people who have low vision because colours appear more natural. Warm colours can be beneficial in areas where a relaxed atmosphere is to be created. Cool colour temperatures more closely resemble daylight.
The use of natural light is recommended as long as it is diffused and does not cause direct or indirect glare. For example, use external awnings, vertical blinds, window tinting or curtains.
Skylights, if used, should be fitted with effective diffusion devices and not create patches of light.
General room lighting can be supplemented by spot or task lighting in specific areas such as at a public telephone, dining table, reading area or above mirrors in a bathroom.
Avoid placing light fittings at or below eye level as they present a direct glare source that inhibits vision. Light sources should be placed so that they do not shine directly into the eyes.
External spotlights or floodlights must not dazzle a pedestrian. These fixtures should be positioned so that all of their illumination is directed towards the feature that needs to be highlighted.

Use of contrast

Luminance contrast is preferred to colour contrast alone. Luminance contrast refers to the difference in the light/dark properties of two adjacent surfaces rather than just their colours. It is luminance contrast that is important to enhancing vision, not colour contrast, because it offers light/dark differences that can be picked up more easily by people who have low vision. For example, cherry red on black has a high colour contrast but low luminance contrast and is not as visible as pale pink or yellow on black to people with low vision.
The use of luminance contrast is very helpful in assisting people with low vision to locate important aspects of a building such as doorways, signs, handrails, rubbish bins and objects of interest. Contrast can also be used to highlight potential hazards such as the edges of steps, a roadway or poles in play areas.
Contrasting textures can also be helpful such as tactile markers that people can identify by feel. Tactile ground surface indicators commonly seen at stairs, ramps and at the edges of railway platforms are a good example of this. Other examples include firmly fixed carpet matting on a vinyl floor surface and domed buttons on handrails to indicate the end of the stairway or ramp is approaching.

Internal acoustics

In negotiating a building, people with low vision gain important information from the environmental sounds around them, from the feedback they receive from hearing their own footsteps and the sound of their white cane as it makes contact with surfaces, to sounds in the background such as approaching footsteps, a fountain etc.
Intrusive levels of background noise can make interaction with others and orientation more difficult. Buildings with sound-reflective surfaces may require sound dampeners like carpet, curtains, ceiling tiles etc. to help reduce noise levels. Care must be taken however, not to completely "deaden" the sound within a building with the over-use of carpets and soft surfaces. Carpets can mask the necessary feedback from footsteps, so buildings should contain a balance between sound-reflecting and sound-absorbing surfaces.
Foyers and stairwells can create acoustic problem areas because they usually contain harder surfaces. Carpet, wall hangings, ceiling tiles and curtaining are some of the ways we can manage acoustic problem areas.

Tips for Specific Aspects of Accessible Design

Transportation and parking

The Disability Standard for Accessible Public Transport, available from the Attorney General's Department website, provides detailed information about ensuring public transport (including bus, train, light rail and taxis) is accessible.
In car parks, ensure designated pedestrian pathways and road crossings exist to facilitate pedestrian safety.

Pathways

All pathways should have a minimum vertical clearance of 2000mm (2m).
Keep pathways clear of any obstacles such as pot plants, rubbish bins, fire hydrants, planter boxes or seating. If such obstacles are to be placed in a pathway, place them around the perimeter. These obstacles should be of a high luminance contrast to the floor and wall surfaces/surround background. Freestanding pillars or poles should be away from circulation routes or buffered by hand rails or furniture or surrounded by Tactile Ground Surface Indicators.
The base of obstacles and structures should be able to be located with a long cane. Their bottom edge should be less than 200mm above the floor surface.
Contrasting edges (luminance and texture) of pathways assist people in maintaining a straight direction of travel. Examples of this include contrasting skirting boards and grass bordering external pathways.
As well as being a support to people with mobility impairments, handrails can be used along pathways to act as a physical guide for people with low vision to trail confidently along the path of travel.
Corridors should not end with a large window or other sources of artificial or natural light.

Main entrances

Automatic opening doors pose few difficulties for people with low vision once they know the door is there. If the doors are completely glazed, they can be harder to detect, however, the auditory cues provided by a self-opening door can be helpful. The door should be adjusted to open quickly enough to allow the person to pass through without significantly altering their walking pace. A tactile indicator placed in front of the door can also complement the auditory cues.
A different floor surface leading to the reception area or customer service point (such as carpet) can direct people to the appropriate first point of call.
Position the reception counter close enough to the front entrance to allow people with low vision to be greeted soon after they enter the building.

Floor surfaces and coverings

Choose a matt (non gloss/glare) finish that is slip-resistant for all surfaces. Highly reflective surfaces such as highly polished, metal or marble floors can disorient people with low vision.
Avoid "busy" and colourful floor patterns.
Changing floor textures at strategic points such as at intersections and at entrances of specific facilities (eg, main entrance; toilets; canteen area) facilitate independence and help sighted people in giving directions to people who are blind or have low vision (for example, "turn left and at the first set of carpet, the cafe is on your right"). As a result, staff do not necessarily have to physically guide people to such facilities.
Ensure that there is a luminance contrast between the floor and wall surfaces to aid orientation.

Walls, ceilings and doors

To maximize brightness and facilitate an even distribution of light, all ceilings should be light in colour.
All surfaces of walls and ceilings should have a matt finish to reduce glare. Avoid highly reflective, glossy surfaces such as stainless steel or high gloss finishes.
Contrasting doorframes, door handles and skirting boards assist people with low vision in identifying them.
Floor to ceiling glass walls and glazed doors are a potential hazard. Place wide (minimum 150mm) contrasting strips or designs such as company logos at a height of 900 - 1000mm and 1400 - 1600mm above floor level on all glass doors and walls. Wherever possible, the marking chosen should contrast in colour with the background colours behind the glass.
Hinged doors should open inwards from busier areas like foyers and dining rooms to quieter areas like offices and bedrooms. Sliding doors can be considered if the use of a hinged door creates safety problems. Ensure doors are hinged so that they can be either closed or fully opened as close to 180 degrees as possible against a wall. Consider door closers to ensure doors are not left open in circulation areas.
Hinge toilet cubicle doors so that they remain open when not in use to assist a person who is blind or has low vision to locate a vacant cubicle.

Stairways, ramps and other hazards

Stairways should be easy to find and placed as centrally as possible, preferably perpendicular or at the side to the path of travel to avoid the risk of someone accidentally falling down them.
Stairways should be placed against walls rather than windows and should be well lit.
Apply slip resistant contrasting strips to the tread at the nosing of each step. The width of each strip should be 50 - 75mm.
Handrails should be provided on both sides of a stairway and should extend well beyond the bottom and top step (see AS 1428.1). They provide support and tactile guidance to people who are blind or have low vision.
Handrails should be contrasting to the wall or background they are fixed to.
Avoid open risers and nosings with lipped edges because they pose a trip hazard.
Top and bottom steps should not intrude on circulation routes.
Stairway overhangs that are not enclosed are hazardous because they are unable to contacted at the base with a long cane and are a potential collision at head height.

Tactile Ground Surface Indicators (TGSIs) - AS/NZS 1428.4

There are two types of TGSIs: warning and directional. Warning TGSIs indicate that there is a hazard ahead. Directional TGSIs assist in wayfinding by directing people along a safe and direct path of travel from point A to point B.
In all public buildings, warning TGSIs are to be installed at stairways, ramps, escalators, kerb ramps and any obstacle located at head height (below 2000mm).
In Aged Care Facilities, TGSIs are not required if tactile domes (12-15mm diameter and 4-5mm in height) are installed on the top of the handrail 150+/-10mm from the end of each handrail.

Furnishings, facilities and controls

Ensure a logical design and layout within a room based on the activities performed in that space. For example, have light switches by the door.
Luminance contrast can be used to highlight furnishings, facilities and controls. For example, ensure seating in waiting or rest areas contrasts to the floor and wall surfaces; white washbasins built into a dark coloured bench top; bright red/yellow emergency buttons on a white wall; or black control pads for lift facilities on a light background.
Provide audible, tactile and visual cues at lifts to facilitate their independent use by someone who is blind or has low vision.
Use spot or task lighting to highlight particular controls or facilities.

Lifts

Wall and ceiling surfaces should be matt finish and the floor surface should be slip-resistant.
Lighting levels within the lift carriage should match those outside it.
Contrasting handrails should be installed for support and to indicate the size of the lift carriage.
Place Braille and raised number stickers adjacent to the relevant buttons that indicate floor levels, Door Open, Door Close and Telephone.
All buttons should be large with clear, contrasting numbers and symbols.
The Emergency Stop button should be positioned separately on the control panel so that it is less likely to be mistakenly pushed. A hard plastic raised disk or something similar, mounted over this button will also reduce the risk of it being accidentally activated.
Consider audible floor level announcements in buildings with more than two levels.
If there is more than one lift, a visible and audible signal can be provided to indicate which car is answering a call. Illuminated triangles at least 5 cm high and placed at eye level can also be used as indicators of direction for people with partial vision.
Raised numbers (minimum height 10 cm) can be placed on the outside wall adjacent to the lift door. If placed close enough to the door, a passenger can reach out to identify the number of the floor without needing to leave the lift carriage.

Signage

Location of signs should be part of the process of planning the building. They need to obviously identifiable and should be placed in areas where a person reaches a point of interest or where a change in direction may be necessary.
Signs should be situated so that they do not cause obstruction and are well lit. Signs are difficult to identify and read if they are positioned against a background of low-level sunlight or artificial light.
The signboard must contrast with the background against which it is seen and the lettering should contrast with the sign board.
Fixing the sign at eye level with easy access for close viewing is an advantage for all.
Signs need to be simple, short, consistent and easily understood using prescribed typefaces, colour and graphic devices.
Lower case (non-capitalised) or Title case is generally easier to read.
The legibility of signs is improved for people with low vision if light coloured lettering is set on a dark background.
To minimise glare, avoid reflective glass and ensure that the sign has a matt surface.
Symbols should be used to supplement written signs.
Tactile signs (such as embossed letters, raised pictograms and direction arrows) should only be used where they can be easily reached (1200 - 1600mm from floor).
Tactual maps can be a useful navigational tool when they are well designed and planned in consultation with people who are blind or have low vision.
Please note that Braille signage should not replace tactile/raised text signage, as many people who are blind or have low vision do not use Braille as their primary form of communication.
External signage and entrances should be clearly visible at night if the building is used after dark.

The following specifications for Braille, tactile/raised text and large print signage have been compiled from the Building Code of Australia - 2007 (Section D3.6), Australian Standards AS1428.1 - 2001 and AS1428.2 - 1992, the Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines and the ADA Accessibility Guidelines: Provisions for People with Impaired Vision published by The Lighthouse Inc, New York, 1994. These documents should be referred to directly when accuracy, compliance or further details are required.

Standard Braille Dimensions

Dot diameter: 1.5mm
Interdot spacing: 2mm
Horizontal spacing between cells 6.12mm
Vertical separation between cells 10mm
Raised from surface height 1 - 1.5mm
Grade 1 Braille should be used.

Raised Text and Pictorial Symbols

Font Sans serif (e.g. Arial, Helvetica)
Case Upper and Lower
Character height 17.5 - 50mm
Raised from surface height 1 - 1.5mm
Minimum letter spacing 2mm
Minimum word spacing 10mm
Letter stroke thickness 2 - 7mm
Pictogram height 152mm minimum

Large Print Text

Font Clear and legible. Sans serif or simple serif (e.g. Helvetica Medium)
Case Upper and lower case preferred (Title case)
Character proportion Width to height ratio between 3:5 and 1:1
Stroke width to height ratio between 1:5 and 1:10
Character height Suited to intended viewing distance. The larger the size, the greater the legibility for everyone
Luminance contrast The greater the contrast between characters and background, the greater the legibility for everyone. (Black and white offers 100% contrast)
Sign board (background) should also contrast significantly with the surrounding wall surface.

Communications

Print materials should be available in alternate formats, for example, large print, audio tape, braille or electronic format.
Apply the signage principles listed above relating to text and legibility to your print materials and web site, for example, sans serif (plain) text, high contrast lettering and low gloss paper.
Produce your electronic documents in Rich Text Format (.rtf) or Text Only (.txt). Avoid making documents available only in Portable Document Format (.pdf).
Ensure your website is user-friendly and accessible to people who use adaptive technology such as screen reader or screen magnification software.
Encourage your customer service staff to participate in disability awareness training so they know how to approach and assist a patron who is blind or has low vision.

Related Resources

Disability Standard for Accessible Public Transport

Building Code of Australia

Relevant Australian Standards

AS1428.1-2001 Design for access and mobility. Part 1: General requirements for access - New building work.
AS1428.2-1992 Design for access and mobility. Part 2: Enhanced and additional requirements - Buildings and facilities
AS1428.3-1992 Design for access and mobility - Requirements for children and adolescents with physical disabilities
AS1428.4-2002 Design for access and mobility: Tactile indicators
AS4299-1995 Adaptable Housing
AS1680.0-1998 Interior Lighting - Safe Movement
AS1680.1-1990 Interior Lighting. Part 1: General principles and recommendations
AS1680.2.1-1993 Interior Lighting. Part 2.1: Circulation spaces and other general areas
AS1680.2.2-1994 Interior Lighting. Part 2.2: Office and screen-based tasks
AS1680.2.3-1994 Interior Lighting. Part 2.3: Educational and training facilities
AS1735.5.12-1994 Lifts, escalators and moving walks: Facilities for persons with disabilities
AS2890.1-2004 Parking facilities. Part 1: Off-street car parking.

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Website: www.visionaustralia.org

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Vision Australia is a living partnership between people who are blind, sighted or have low vision. We are united by our passion that in the future people who are blind or have low vision will have access to and fully participate in every part of life they choose.

This page last updated: 26 March 2009

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