The aim of this project is to learn about the functioning of different spaces from blind people who are directly affected by them, in order to be able to offer a viable solution that can be useful in the creation of future inclusive design proposals, which have the needs of these people as their key point of reference and, based on these, a suitable space can be developed for them.
In urban planning, architecture and product design, accessibility is a key issue, especially when it comes to motor disabilities. However, design for the blind is an "invisible'' issue for many, an issue that is not given the attention and importance it should be.
Full accessibility is still not prevalent in many spaces, an approach to design that moves forward from social responsibility and not only from good intentions is needed, achieving a more complex interaction between the roots that constitute the social and material realm, making it truly emerge from pure needs and propose real solutions.
Inclusive design is vital for all users to develop comfortably and to be able to understand and correctly recognize the various functions of a space.
As a result of this project, the aim is to learn about the functioning of different spaces from blind people who are directly affected by the inconveniences they perceive in order to be able to offer a viable solution that may be useful in the creation of future inclusive design proposals, which have the needs of these people at their root and, based on these, a suitable space can be developed for them.
Please highlight how the concept/idea can be exemplary in this context
All of the designed spaces will be built and fabricated with sustainable material to preserve the environment. At the same time all the waste generated in the production processes will be correctly treated according to EU legislation. The project will use a high percentage of recycled materials to optimize their life cycle and renewable and efficient Energy systems will be employed in this proposal.
Please highlight how the concept/idea can be exemplary in this context
Design is often understood as something more aesthetic than functional, as pieces that are more exclusive than accessible; however, the real task of a designer is to be able to look at details that others do not see, to observe with the brain, not only with one's own eyes, and to know how to detect solutions beyond the problems. Thoughts become ideas and ideas are modeled and in turn become prototypes and patents. You just have to change your perspective and think about how design can communicate with the environment and with people. As this is a project to readapt spaces to contribute to full accessibility for people with or without functional diversity, it will be decided to introduce in these spaces elements or technologies that make this possible.
There are no aesthetic objectives other than to ensure that the object or reform that provides accessibility is integrated into the space and fits in with it, thus making it easier to understand at the same time. The aesthetics of the space itself combined with the functionality will make the object useful and aesthetic; they will make it integrate into the place and later on it will be considered as an essential part of it.
Therefore, if these two assumptions are met, the object should ensure that the user experience is correct.
However, in order to provide a solution to real accessibility problems, they must be made by people with some kind of disability (whether temporary or permanent) or, failing that, designed by them; usability must prevail over aesthetics; and, most importantly, they must not exclude anyone. In other words, it must provide accessibility to all types of disability.
It can be concluded, then, that the main objective is to raise awareness among those responsible for the design and operation of elements of these characteristics that functionality and aesthetics can go hand in hand and work in equal parts.
Please highlight how the concept/idea can be exemplary in this context
The whole project revolves around this concept and its main key objectives are to find out the needs of blind people in terms of mobility in public spaces, to analyze in depth a public place of daily use to detect its shortcomings and barriers in order to be able to propose possible improvements, to achieve greater awareness on the part of designers on the subject in order to take it into account in future creations, to propose a new perspective in the design of public spaces, to provide a solution to a real problem such as the mobility of blind people within the city and the different spaces that make it up, to investigate similar proposals, extracting from them what could be useful to make a proposal for improvement adapted to the space proposed, to observe the results of the interventions in other spaces and to check whether it is viable and compatible to merge public and accessible spaces for blind people in a complete way.
All of them are the basis that contributes to achieving a common goal, which is to achieve equal rights and opportunities and the full elimination of barriers that currently exist. This requires investment, awareness raising and constant learning and empathy.
Please highlight how this approach can be exemplary
Every design has a process of ideation, prototyping, usability evaluation, error correction and final prototyping.
The fusion of the three conditions; sustainability, aesthetics and accessibility, will be constant in each process. If one part fails, alternatives will be sought so that the creation can be viable in another form. The design of the now has to meet these requirements to make way for a future we can all enjoy.
The area of sustainability will be achieved by studying which materials have less impact in their use, which of them are more efficient, which are more durable, how they can be recycled and also how they are produced.
The area of accessibility will be guaranteed with the participation of people who are directly affected by this problem, which will have two advantages: the participation of these people and the improvement in the usefulness and usability of the creations.
Finally, once the two previous areas are guaranteed, the design process proceeds to combine them with the aesthetics in which these reforms, technologies or objects are located.
The innovative nature of this project is the combination of the three principles mentioned above: sustainability, due to the use of environmentally friendly materials; accessibility, which is the basis and main objective of the project; and, finally, aesthetics, which will be achieved through the integration and harmony of the material proposals within the different spaces. Another aspect to highlight is the analytical basis that sustains it. This project arose from the real needs of the people surveyed, not from accessibility regulations, so the results are aimed at breaking down real barriers identified by these people.
The main idea of this project is to contribute to equality. The most economical and fastest way to contribute is currently on a small scale and through technology.
Desde hace unos años, al menos en España, la creación de aplicaciones eficientes para personas con discapacidad visual ha sido muy destacable. Muchas fundaciones están dispuestas a invertir dinero en proyectos innovadores, sostenibles y humanos, lo que hace cada vez más posible pensar en un futuro plenamente inclusivo. El plan de este proyecto es crear una aplicación más universal que facilite la movilidad de las personas con discapacidad visual.
Este proyecto nace con encuestas y entrevistas a personas ciegas y deficientes visuales y asociaciones y empresas que contribuyen a la inclusión y accesibilidad de las mismas. Gracias a ello, se ha podido entender de una forma más cercana y directa cuáles son las principales necesidades de este colectivo así como las barreras y puntos de mejora que aprecian en su día a día.
Una de las cosas que consideran fundamental es la comunicación entre personas con y sin discapacidad visual y el desconocimiento de cómo orientar y tratar a una persona con discapacidad visual. Defienden que esto es algo imprescindible y que además de contribuir a facilitar la movilidad o ayudar a las personas invidentes, aporta un carácter más humano y potencia la cercanía y la empatía hacia ellas. Una de las principales iniciativas sería poder trasladar esto a la realidad a través de conferencias, videos o formatos que capten la atención del público y comuniquen este problema y las soluciones.
Otra iniciativa sería contribuir económicamente a aquellas asociaciones que ofrecen materiales, recursos y recursos humanos a este colectivo.
Finally, to be able to contribute directly through investment in technology and the creation or readaptation of elements of daily use.
@Nevado, 2022
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