CHAPTER 2

RELATED LITERATURE AND STUDIES

A visual impairment is a defect of sight where there is an eye disease, or damage

to the eye, which influences the function of the eye. This can mean that a person is

actually blind or partially sighted. Some consequences triggered by visual impairment are

being more likely to be unemployed, to be involved in a motor vehicle collision, to suffer

depression and anxiety disorders, and to fall while walking.

Designing for the blind and visually impaired is an example of accessible design.

Architects who embrace universal design understand that the needs of the blind client are

the same for all people — orienting a building to provide optimal light and ventilation has

been advocated by ancient Roman architects and more modern architects. Moreover, this

will contribute greatly to the blind people’s leisure and entertainment despite their

conditions.

On the other hand, Universal Design is a “big tent” term, encompassing more

familiar methods such as accessibility and barrier-free design. If a design is universal –

meaning a design for everyone, it is, by definition, accessible.

 In the built environment, accessibility means designed spaces that meet the needs

of people with a wide range of abilities, including those who are blind or who have limited

vision and associated cognitive difficulties. If the goal is universal design, everyone must

be accommodated, including the blind.

Anyone with low vision, also called partially sighted, cannot correct his or her sight

with treatment or spectacles. People with this kind of visual impairment have a visual

acuity between 6/18 and 6/60. When their visual acuity is less than a 6/60 in their best

eye is called blindness.

The last category, total blindness, is the complete lack of sight in which no light or

shadow is perceived. Visual impairment represents challenges for the person who suffers

it, such as the complexity to deal with an environment which is not adapted to their needs.

The International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (CIF by its Spanish

acronym) considers that the not inclusive public places lead to consequences in which

the person’s activity, participation, and productivity could decrease.

Functional vision includes two areas: (1) visual acuity, or the corrected used of

central vision to see details such as facial features or alphanumeric symbols; and (2) the

field of vision, or the extent and capacity to identify objects peripheral to or around the

central vision. In addition, depth perception and contrast sensitivity can be associated

vision problems. Vision abilities vary widely.

 Vision impairment is a catch-all term that includes people with any visual deficit

that cannot be corrected by wearing glasses of contact lenses. Visual impairments have

a continuum of identifiers specific to the laws of specific countries. In the United States

low vision and partially sighted are general terms for a continuum of functionality that may

vary from week to week or even hour to hour.

Architectural principles were influenced by Vitruvius’ proportional system, which

revolved around the notion of the perfectly built man. The Vitruvian Man came to

symbolize the significance of the human relationship with architecture. The need to

develop appropriate design tools was something which concerned many leading

representatives of the modernist movement in architecture.

As 90% of visually-impaired people still have some little vision, very high

illumination level but with light sources of low brightness level was what worked best. Soft

and balanced light with no brightness or glare was the most agreeable. Attention was also

drawn to colors, neutrals like gray and beige were hard to distinguish, as opposed to

bright contrasting colors.

In addition, braille-system is a big help for the construction of the building,

especially for blind ones. For example, placards be installed at a certain height at every

intersection. The placards, written in Braille, would tell a pedestrian if the cross-street is

one-way or two-way, if it’s perpendicular or off-set, and if it is necessary to wait for a

crosswalk light to change. He says temporary signage or audio cues could also inform

individuals of construction zones.

We’re used to thinking of design as being a visual process. But really, design is an

intellectual process, and the visual dimension is a tool to aid in that. It’s one way of getting

information, but it’s not the only way. Downey (2016) found several methods that he could

use to to create new designs and to communicate with other members of the design team,

including physical models, drawing kits with raised lines, and special 3D printers that print

drawings in a raised form, like Braille.