DesignForAbility: Enhancing Daily Living

In my work as a Special Education teacher, I consistently encounter the significant impact of sensory processing on individuals’ daily lives. It’s clear that many people, particularly those with physical challenges, also experience sensory processing disorders, which can make everyday environments feel overwhelming. This is a crucial consideration that should be central to accessible design.

We live in a world that frequently presents a barrage of sensory input. Bright lights, loud noises, strong smells, and crowded spaces are common elements of modern life. While many individuals may adapt to these stimuli, for those with sensory sensitivities, these situations can trigger stress, anxiety, and even physical discomfort. This prompts the question: To what extent do we truly consider the sensory impact of the spaces we design and inhabit, and how often do other factors take precedence?

To fully understand this issue, it’s helpful to analyze common sensory experiences:

• Visual Input:
  • Harsh fluorescent lighting, prevalent in many commercial spaces, can produce flicker and glare. This is often prioritized for its energy efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
  • Bright, rapidly changing images on screens and advertisements are common. These are frequently employed to capture attention and drive sales.
  • Visually cluttered and disorganized spaces can impede focus and navigation. These can arise from a desire to maximize product displays or seating capacity.
  • This leads to the inquiry: How could environments be designed to promote visual calmness, prioritizing soft, diffused lighting and uncluttered layouts to enhance the user experience, even if it requires slightly higher energy costs or less dense product displays? And what design strategies are most effective in promoting visual comfort?
• Auditory Input:
  • Elevated background noise levels in public settings, such as cafes and restaurants, can be disruptive. This is sometimes tolerated (or even encouraged) to create a lively atmosphere.
  • Urban environments often present a constant stream of auditory stimuli, including sirens, construction, and traffic. This is often a byproduct of urban density and economic activity.
  • Various electronic devices emit frequent alerts and sounds. These are often designed for maximum audibility, even if they are jarring.
  • It is pertinent to ask: In what ways can spaces be designed to offer auditory respite, incorporating sound-absorbing materials and designated quiet areas, even if it means sacrificing a bit of “buzz” or requires quieter technology? What design features would make a significant difference in creating a sense of auditory calm?
• Olfactory Input:
  • Strong fragrances, cleaning agents, and food odors can be overwhelming in certain settings. These are sometimes used to create a “pleasant” ambiance or mask unpleasant smells.
  • Inadequate ventilation can exacerbate olfactory stimuli. This can be a result of cost-cutting measures or a lack of awareness about air quality.
  • This raises the question: What design principles could be employed to achieve olfactory neutrality, minimizing strong scents and ensuring adequate ventilation for improved air quality, even if it means foregoing artificial scents or investing in better ventilation systems?
• Tactile Input:
  • Crowded environments can result in unwanted physical contact. This is often a consequence of maximizing space utilization, particularly in retail and transportation.
  • Textile properties of clothing can present sources of discomfort. While fashion trends prioritize aesthetics, comfort can be secondary.
  • Fluctuations in temperature and humidity can be acutely experienced. Inconsistent climate control can be driven by energy efficiency concerns.
  • It is important to consider: How can designs prioritize tactile comfort and offer environmental control for individuals with tactile sensitivities, even if it means providing more personal space or investing in more sophisticated climate control? What tactile elements present the greatest challenges, and what strategies are used to mitigate them?

It’s crucial to recognize that sensory overload often results from the cumulative effect of multiple sensory inputs.

Sensory overload occurs when the brain experiences difficulty processing the volume of incoming sensory information. This can manifest in various ways, including:

• Heightened anxiety or agitation.
• Difficulty with concentration.
• Physical discomfort.
• The need to withdraw from stimulation.
• Changes in behavior.

The Sensory Challenges of Everyday Environments

Unfortunately, many public and private spaces are designed without adequate consideration of sensory needs. Often, the prioritization of efficiency and what is perceived to be commercially viable comes at the cost of sensory well-being, particularly for those with heightened sensitivities.

• Grocery stores, with their combination of bright lighting, amplified music, and numerous voices, can be disorienting. These elements are often used to stimulate purchasing behavior, but they can create a sensory assault.
• Restaurants can present challenges due to noise from conversations and kitchen activity, as well as strong food odors. A lively atmosphere is often seen as desirable for business, but it can be overwhelming.
• Public transportation can be a source of sensory overload due to crowding, unpredictable noises, and movement. Maximizing passenger capacity is a key goal, but it can lead to uncomfortable conditions.
• Even within homes, open-plan designs can limit options for retreating from sensory stimulation. While aesthetically popular, they can lack the defined spaces needed for sensory regulation.
  • This prompts us to critically examine: Why is there often a prioritization of efficiency, convenience, and perceived marketability over sensory well-being, and what are the broader social and individual implications of designing environments that are not sensory-inclusive, particularly for those with heightened needs?

Designing for Enhanced Sensory Comfort

Design can be instrumental in creating more supportive and calming environments. Key principles include:

• Visual comfort:
  • Prioritizing soft, diffused lighting.
  • Utilizing neutral color palettes and minimizing visual clutter.
  • Providing options for light control.
• Auditory comfort:
  • Integrating sound-absorbing materials.
  • Creating designated quiet zones.
  • Considering the use of sound masking techniques.
• Olfactory comfort:
  • Minimizing the use of strong fragrances.
  • Ensuring effective ventilation.
• Tactile comfort:
  • Incorporating a variety of textures.
  • Attention to temperature regulation.

A Call for Empathy and Awareness: Promoting Sensory-Inclusive Design

Designing for sensory comfort necessitates empathy and a commitment to understanding diverse sensory experiences. In my profession, we advocate for the creation of environments that accommodate a broad spectrum of sensory needs. This involves fostering a greater awareness of sensory processing and challenging the status quo when it comes to design priorities.

To facilitate this, it is beneficial to consider the following:

• Individual sensory triggers: Recognizing our own sensitivities can enhance our understanding of others’ experiences.
• Personal responses to sensory overload: Reflecting on how we react to overstimulation can build empathy.
• Power dynamics in design and business: It is important to acknowledge that those who make decisions about design and business priorities may not share the sensory experiences of all users. How can we ensure diverse perspectives are included and valued?
• The application of universal design principles: How can universal design be leveraged to create spaces that are inherently sensory-friendly and avoid the need for add-on accommodations?
• The potential of technology and innovation: What role can technology and innovative design play in personalizing sensory input or creating adaptable environments?
• The connection between sensory design and well-being: What evidence supports the positive impact of calming environments on mental and emotional health, and how can we make a stronger case for prioritizing sensory well-being?
• Cultural considerations in sensory preferences: How can design be sensitive to diverse cultural norms and expectations related to sensory experiences, recognizing that sensory comfort is not a one-size-fits-all concept?

Your contributions and insights are vital to expanding a collective understanding and driving positive change in design practices.

About the Author:

This post is written by Taylor Adapt, a Special Education teacher with experience in both Mild/Moderate and Moderate/Severe settings. The use of the pseudonym allows for focus on the shared experiences and insights of the community, maintaining objectivity in this exploration of accessible design