Environmental Design Environmental & Interior Design_ Environment for Disabled and elderly population

Environmental design: Summary

Preface

At times, it has been difficult to reconcile environmental design with aesthetics and the practical needs of populations. Environmental design strives to serve the needs of the persons who inhabit spaces rather than focus on the aesthetics of architecture alone. Environmental psychology is the study of how inhabitants relate to the area they inhabit and how design can have an effect on their behaviors (Kopec 2006: xii)

Environments for disabled and elderly populations

Being challenged with disabilities or the limits of age can make it difficult to perform acts of daily living. However, by creating structures with an eye upon the needs of the population and the demands of their acts of daily life (ADL), planners and builders can empower residents with physical challenges to remain independent as long as possible. Because of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), commercial structures must be characterized by universal designs that are accessible by individuals with a variety of needs, not simply the able-bodied.

However, there are universal design solutions to many common disability-related issues that can be implemented with a certain amount of creativity (Kopec 2006: 172).
Issues of mobility

Not all persons with mobility issues are wheelchair-bound. Persons who use walkers and canes may need modified stairs that are easy to climb; wheelchair ramps may be too steep for people who need walkers. The distance required by a person in a wheelchair to operate in a kitchen is different from a person who uses other means of assistance (Kopec 2006: 172). For persons with prosthetic hands, doors should open easily (Kopec 2006: 173). Spaces should also be easy to clean for the impaired.

Issues of vision and hearing

Many visually-impaired persons use guide dogs, so the design of spaces must be crafted to accommodate their needs. Elderly persons may have impaired depth perception, which requires brighter lighting to enable them…