Braille for your Feet: A New World for Blind and Visually Impaired
New ADA design standards featuring “Universal Design” allowed user groups with conflicting needs to come to a “compromise” solution on detectable warnings. These new standards eliminate earlier lack of continuity in installed systems.
(PRWEB) January 5, 2005 -- Since 1991, the Americans with Disabilities Act
(ADA) has created far reaching, new compliance problems for designers and
implementers nationwide. Thanks to the vague way some of the guidelines were
written, the confusion that has reigned in every state has been unending, even
as forthcoming new revisions attempt to clarify old concerns.
Every
architect, public works director or commercial real estate owner has bemoaned
these quatrains, yet all of us have no choice but to work within them. One of
the more vexing issues has been that of “detectable warnings” or truncated
domes. These of course are the small rounded textures that go on ramps and
pedestrian access points to benefit blind and visually impaired persons or
basically “Braille for your feet."
Jon Julnes of Vanguard ADA Systems of
America, a nationwide manufacturer of detectable warnings and provider of
approved details and specs says “these are for all practical purposes, STOP
signs for those with low vision or blindness. Continuity in design, shape and
texture is vital for these folks”.
The early 1991 ADAAG required that
detectable warnings be placed the “full width and depth of the ramp”. Due to
retail building owners (think “shopping carts”) and user complaints
(wheelchairs, walkers, etc.), the requirement for detectable warnings was
suspended in the mid 90’s for study.
A great number of people were under
the mistaken impression that the mandate had been deleted, when in fact, it had
only been suspended such that discussion could take place among persons most
affected ultimately determining a solution that met the needs of
everyone.
Blind people knew this new surface texture had already saved
untold thousands of lives all over the world, including here in the United
States at transit platform edges and the like, but the vibratory issues that
followed “full width and depth” were troublesome for those in wheelchairs. Being
in such mobility devices for extended periods of time can cause atrophy of
musculature, and by virtue, even minor vibration could cause spasms and loss of
control for some users.
Clearly a new design standard had to be
determined that met the needs of all parties, and by July 26, 2001, the
committed parties compromised, agreed to new standards and the suspension was
lifted making the requirement for detectable warnings renewed on all public
ramps and vehicular/pedestrian access points.
So, the question was no
longer “are detectable warnings required?” but rather, “what are the approved
shape, size and dimensions to properly install detectable warnings in all
cases?”
The majority of states adopted the PROWAAC design criterion (2
foot deep by width of ramp), a very small faction retained the original mandate
of full width and depth, while still others have adopted a 3 foot depth by width
of ramp.
If it’s true that detectable warnings are tactile STOP signs,
then it’s clear they need to look and act like every other Braille sign in
existence, that is, they need to have the same textural message, and mean the
same thing whether the person accessing them is in Detroit, Miami or Tokyo.
Continuity is clearly the key. Universal design is the solution.
Again
Julnes states, “If a red octagonal sign in Spain says ‘ALTO’, while still
another in France says ‘ARRET’, thanks to ‘Universal Design’ no one needs to
speak the language, we all easily know it means to stop."
Considering the
March 2003 document from the Federal Access Board which states; “The Board
believes that the specifications for detectable warnings in the draft
rights-of-way guidelines provide a level of access substantially equal to or
greater than that currently specified by ADAAG” it becomes clear, the 2 foot
standard allows form to follow function, and at lower cost while insuring
Universal Design.
Whether on public right of ways or for the current
mandate for detectable warnings on ramps and pedestrian/vehicular way access
points on private commercial properties, finally there is clarity as to design
standards for these important additions to our communities.
Source: http://www.prweb.com/releases/2005/1/prweb181460.htm