Designing Visually Accessible Cities and Communities OPPI Conference Oct 06, 2015 Devin Causley MCIP RPP

Why me?

Outline Icebreaker – Elements of a visual city? Types of visual limitations that can inhibit accessibility Understand the legislative requirements for planners to consider accessibility in planning and design Identify ways to improve community design for accessibility Questions?

Other Ideas?

Low vision and blindness.

Vision There are approx 1.1 million people in Canada living with blindness or partial sight Degree of vision loss can impact economic opportunities and social interaction 70% of blind or visually impaired people are unemployed Portion of population with vision loss is growing Most live normal, functional lives

Causes of Vision Loss Vision loss can be caused by eye problems that are present from birth, by conditions that appear later in life, or by infections or environmental factors. Eye Connect Aging Eyes AMD Astigmatism Cataracts Charles Bonnet syndrome Diabetic Eye Disease Diabetic Macular Edema Dry Eye Far-Sightedness Floaters & Flashing Lights Glaucoma Lazy Eye (Amblyopia) Near-Sightedness Pink Eye Retinal Detachment Retinal Pigmentosa Retinal Vein Occlusion

Supporting Agencies Canadian National Institute for the Blind Community support services for blind and low vision National advocacy Canadian Council for the Blind National advocacy with government and consumer organizations Support agency

Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act Introduced in 2005 Make Ontario accessible by 2025. Ontario now has mandatory accessibility standards in 5 areas of daily life: Customer service Employment Information and communications Transportation Design of public space Full details - https://www.ontario.ca/laws/regulation/110191#BK92

AODA - Design of Public Space Requires an accessibility plan and advisory committee (10,000 pop plus) Applies to newly constructed spaces contracted after 2012 Implicated Exterior paths of travel (sidewalks) Trails Public eating and play spaces Parking spaces Appropriate maintenance for accessibility

Designing for Visual Accessibility.

Braille Textured language consisting of dots used by the blind and people with low vision Used to communicate street names, describe locations and signals

Street Signage, Maps and Directions Use signs, maps and directions in combination Make signs clear and easy to read Frequent and consistent locations Follow standard signage conventions Distinct signs for vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians

Street / Information Signs Large print High contrasting colours Differentiate with colour Close to eye level Audible or interactive Read Me Read Me Read Me

Sign Examples

Navigation Maps Help pedestrians find their way around. Large and non-cluttered Provide key symbols Reference to points of interest Frequent locations Easy to identify – consistent colour, shape, size

Sidewalk Texturing and Colouring Use changes in texture to communicate changes in grade, stairs or intersections. Can be felt by feet or canes Apply colours to the ground to indicate zones or pathways. Sidewalks are a canvas, use them for messages. Be creative!

Textures

Colours

Messages

Audible Signals and Messages Use sounds or narration to communicate key points or warnings Intersection crossing signals (beeps) Adequate timing Countdowns Consistent location Pedestrian priority

Intersections

Narration

Audible Warnings

Audio Guides

Safe Zones Combine these elements to form a sense of security Add generous space for pedestrians – room for mobility Separation from vehicles and cyclists Dog friendly

Canadian Climate Accessible zones Accessible corridors Priority snow clearance and sidewalk treatment Social connectivity and services

The Role of Planners

Wayfinding Wayfinding enables people to orient themselves and navigate from place to place with ease.   Wayfinding is more than signs. Working together with other elements of the public realm such as street furniture and public art, it includes names, landmarks, conventions, maps and new media.  It contributes to making a city more "legible" for residents, commuters, and tourists alike. (City of Toronto)

Connecting People to Places What is nearby that might be of interest? Shops, services, tourism What is coming up next along their path? Accessibility, tourism, economic development share complementary objectives.

Complete Streets Adopt urban design guidelines, setbacks and neighbourhood designs embracing accessibility. Encourage the development of new standards scaled to pedestrians

Barrier Free Design Universal Design - Ronald L. Mace, Architect Designing all products and the built environment to be aesthetic and usable to the greatest extent possible by everyone, regardless of their age, ability, or status in life. Designing for the Disabled - Selwyn Goldsmith Inventor of the dropped curb design Seven Principles Equitable use Flexibility in use Simple and intuitive Perceptible information Tolerance for error Low physical effort Size and space for approach and use

Engage Engage urban designers, architects and engineers to integrate accessibility. Engage blind, low vision and people with disabilities to develop and test designs

Questions? Devin Causley MCIP RPP P: 613-255-6120 E: causleyd@rogers.com