Professional Documents
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Recommendation Letter
Recommendation Letter
11/27/16
ENGL 219
Table of Contents
Table of Contents ....................................................................................................1
Abstract...................................................................................................................2
Introduction and Background...................................................................................3
Methodology ...........................................................................................................4
Online Research ................................................................................................. 4
Interview ............................................................................................................ 4
Results of Research and Study..................................................................................5
Orientation Cues ................................................................................................ 5
Cluttering ........................................................................................................... 5
Braille Signs ........................................................................................................ 7
Discussion of Results................................................................................................7
Tactile Maps ....................................................................................................... 7
Professional Guide ............................................................................................. 7
Design Space to be More Accessible ................................................................ 7
Final Recommendation ............................................................................................9
Sources.................................................................................................................. 10
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Abstract
The University of New Mexico (UNM) has always been a diversified educational
institution; students with many different backgroundsrace, origin, disabilityhave been
accepted to the university. In efforts to facilitate a supportive learning environment for the
students, UNM has either consciously or unconsciously applied the concept of Universal
Design. This recommendation report discusses the application of Universal Design at the
UNM Student Union Building for the accessibility of the visually-impaired students,
providing recommendations for improvements based on research results.
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Methodology
For this research, these consecutive methods were used:
1. Online research:
1. The researcher searched in the internet for issues in navigation and
orientation which visually-impaired students face around the world.
i. Keywords: blind orientation issues, navigation issues for visually
impaired
ii. Websites visited:
1. http://www.travelwayfinding.com/visually-impaired/
2. http://www.unco.edu/ncssd/resources/issues_bvi.shtml
3. http://www.perkins.org/stories/blog/orientation-and-mobility
2. After finding problems, the researcher grouped the problems by the reason
they exist, whether they are caused by the disability itself or the inadequacy
of the infrastructure.
2. Observation
1. In the group where the infrastructures cause the problem, the researcher
observed the site (UNM Student Union Building) and see if the building has
the same problems found on the internet.
3. Interview:
1. After finding the problems associated with the infrastructure, the researcher
asked visually-impaired UNM students to verify the problems and their
perspective on the problems.
i. Questions:
1. From 1 to 10, how well would you rate the UNM Student Union
Building accessibility for visually-impaired students?
2. What problems do you face when you were accessing the
Student Union Building?
3. What improvements would you recommend for the UNM
Student Union Building?
2. The researcher takes notes, then goes to search the internet for available
solutions.
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Figure 1: The UNM Student Union Building map. Red circles indicate cluttered areas.
Contrary to popular belief, the visually-impaired students do want to wait in line. They
reported not needing any special treatments such as priority service. However, the
problem is they are unable to find the start of the line, because the poles and straps
are often undetectable by their canes. This is also a problem with finding empty chairs
and tables for them to sit. The visually-impaired students reported repeated collisions
with the tables and chairs in the Student Union Building.
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3. Braille Signs
Visually-impaired students use Braille to read. The numbers on the doors and hallways
are visual cues, which they cannot access. The Student Union Building has no Braille
sign available.
Discussion of Results
After compiling the results of the research, the researcher has concluded that the UNM
Student Union Building do require some adjustment to be adequately accessible for the
visually-impaired students. Actions that are possible to improve the accessibility of the
UNM Student Union Building for the visually-impaired students:
1. Tactile Maps
Unlike the normal maps we use, they
show directions by textures and
contours. They can be made using
many different materials, and would
provide excellent image for the
visually-impaired students about a
building.
The Student Union Building can either
replace all the maps in the building
Figure 2: Tactile Map
with tactile mapswhich can also be
used visuallyor make a few available
for the visually-impaired students to take and carry around while they are in the
building.
Pros
Easy to use for the visually-impaired
students
Cheap to make (3D printing, hand craft, or
buy from makers)
Versatile (can also be used as normal
maps)
Cons
Need constant update to follow changes
happening in the building
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2. Professional Guide
A professional guide for the visually-impaired works both as a navigation helper and
trainer. The guide would help the visually-impaired students get familiarized with the
environment, and make sure they are safe during the process.
The UNM Student Union Building can provide a station for each entrance to help the
visually-impaired students navigate around the building, and train students to be
professional guides. However, the visually-impaired students reported not necessarily
wanting to have other people help them get around, they prefer being able to navigate
by themselves.
Pros
Creates job openings for students
Guides may be more responsive and
adaptable to different circumstances
Cons
Requires training for the guides
May not always be available, depending
on the workforce
Extra expenses for UNM
May not make the visually-impaired
students independent
Cons
Some options such as differentiating the
floor texture and creating landmark may
be costly
Takes time to apply, and takes some time
to familiarize for the students
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Final Recommendation
This research points out parts of the UNM Student Union Building that should be improved
to better accommodate the visually-impaired students using the concept of Universal
Design. Considering the cost and benefit of each presented options, the researcher would
recommend the following actions:
1. Redesign parts of the UNM Student Union Building to create a clear traffic path:
a. Create a certain flow of traffic from each entrance, consulting the
visually-impaired students in the process.
b. Differentiate floor textures with existing carpets, marking the different
areas for certain purposes such as dining, study area, computer room, etc.
c. Put up landmarks for the most important areas such as waiting lines,
stairs, and bathrooms.
d. Post Braille signs on each landmark and door at a consistent height.
2. Create tactile maps using available
materials from around campus:
carboards. Consult the researcher
for methods of crafting the tactile
maps.
3. Make the tactile maps available at
each entrance for the students to
grab.
Figure 3: Tactile map made of cardboard.
The cost of the improvements is very low, since
most of the resources (carpets and cardboards)
are already available on campus. By following these steps, the UNM Student Union Building
can be improved to provide better accessibility for the visually-impaired students, showing
that UNM would always welcome diversity to the campus.
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Sources
@wayfindinguk. "Blind and Visibility Impaired Travellers and Wayfinding." Wayfinding in
Travel and Tourism. N.p., 2015. Web. 19 Nov. 2016.
University of Northern Colorado - Greeley Colorado. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Nov. 2016.
"Orientation & Mobility." Perkins School for the Blind. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Nov. 2016.
"ADA Guide for Places of Lodging: Serving Guests Who Are Blind or Who Have Low Vision"
ADA.gov Homepage. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Nov. 2016.
Bai, Yicheng, Wenyan Jia, Hong Zhang, Zhi-Hong Mao, and Mingui Sun. "Landmark-Based
Indoor Positioning for Visually Impaired Individuals." International Conference on Signal
Processing Proceedings. International Conference on Signal Processing. U.S. National
Library of Medicine, 2014. Web. 21 Nov. 2016.
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