Directional evacuation aid for the visually impaired
Emily Bannon
This project introduces an inclusive, retrofit tactile guidance rail installed at hip height, enabling visually impaired individuals—and everyone else—to independently and safely evacuate buildings during a fire by following the direction indicated through bristle resistance, eliminating the need for physical support or reliance on Braille stickers.
Design Problem
This projects origin is from finding out people who are visually impaired either require
physical support (via human/ guide dog) out of building in a fire evacuation or are expected
to feel against the wall to find Braille fire exit stickers. To me, that's not acceptable,
accessible or inclusive.
This project provides a simple, retrofit directional solution for the safe and independent evacuation of a building for the visually impaired, but can also be used by everyone! Installed slightly away from the wall at hip height (open side facing the wall), users insert their fingers into the rail to determine direction. If the bristles allow free movement of the hand, the user is heading the correct way towards a fire exit. If there is resistance they must turn around and use the other hand to go in the correct direction.
Description of the Project
The problem was framed as:
"How might a commercial fire alarm system support the independence of people who are visually impaired?"
User walks, experimentation and many (many!) prototypes were the main processes for this project. However the key process was the creative sessions. I used a blindfold and homemade visual impairment googles (using glasses frames, cling film and tape) on participants and disorientated them.
Process
I then played fire alarm noises through speakers (to the delight of my neighbours) and observed the participants' instinctive response to try and get out of the building which, fairly conclusively, was to drop to the floor and feel their way out of the house (not ideal for an emergency situation in a large scale, unfamiliar building). I experimented with lights, sounds (a lot of research on the Doppler Effect), vibrations, even smells at one point to try and quickly and effectively guide the participants out the building safely.
About me
I work for the ambulance service, love hands on prototyping and creative problem solving. I am enjoying learning new skills during this degree and can't wait to see what doors it opens for me!