Citation

Pey T. Build. Eng. 2006; 81(10): 14-15.

Affiliation

Guide Dogs

Copyright

(Copyright © 2006, Association of Building Engineers)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Kerbs, street furniture, audible signals, tactile paving help a blind or partially sighted person to detect where they are and to orientate themselves. Guide Dogs is undertaking research aimed at developing design principles, techniques and standards that meet the needs of blind and partially sighted people and others with disabilities as well as fulfilling the Shared Space concept in terms of conditioning behavior by drivers and other road users. The recommendations suggest the creation or re-instatement of a pavement with a kerb, regular dropped kerbs and properly laid tactile paving. Guide Dogs has teamed up with the Royal Society for the encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce (RSA) and their Design Directions students awards scheme to launch 'Streets Ahead'. This design competition addresses the problems that modern obstacle-littered streets cause for blind and partially sighted pedestrians. Guide Dogs is also planning a schools competition linked to the charity's educational Citizenship Pack which invites youngsters to design their vision of the 'guide dog friendly' street of the future.

Language: en