Historically, people experiencing disability have been segregated and excluded from mainstream spaces. With nondisabled participants comprising the majority of most design teams, there's often a lack of inclusive practices that address the needs of those with varied sensory abilities. This session will feature case studies and interactive discussions to provide practical insights and actionable strategies to enhance the accessibility and inclusivity of the built environment. Join practicing architects—including one who experienced total sight loss mid-career and another who has been deaf since birth—to discover how to create environments that support diverse needs and foster a more inclusive experience.
Learning Objectives
- Explore how varied sensory abilities impact the experience of the built environment, resulting in spaces that undermine the health and well-being of under-supported individuals.
- Examine practices for engagement and critical dialogue facilitating an inclusive exploration of spaces, including supporting the participation of individuals experiencing blindness or low vision.
- Learn how to articulate the amenities needed to equitably support the built environment and to identify resources and tools to support these spatial solutions.
- Discover how broadening our design toolkit to include multisensory design strategies can create a built environment that better supports people experiencing disability.