Designing a home for hearing people is quite easy since only a few factors are considered. The “beauty of the room” is what it’s all about from our perspective. Deaf people, when designing a home, they tend to focus on visual representations and layouts for better communication.
This article will briefly example of the process of improving accessibility in deaf homes to meet their specific visual needs. Here are a few factors to keep in mind:
- Wall Paint Colors
What is your wall color? This is the best place to start your planning. As stated before, the deaf relies heavily on vision. Therefore, bright light and highly reflective walls can distract the communication process. Paint your wall with soft colors and ensure that your furniture contrasts well with the skin. Installing several light bulbs strategically may help distribute the light evenly across the room as well.
- Smart Appliances and Security
Security devices with brightly flashing light is another great addition. Though smoke detectors are installed with a high-sounding alarm, this is often not enough for a home inhabited by deaf people. Appliances such as microwaves and washing machines can include flashing lights as part of their alert systems.
- Open Floor Plan and Wider Hallways
Ensure that hallways are wide enough for two people to walk side by side. This way, one can easily continue a conversation without visual interruptions and physical limitations. Remember to supply enough light in the area of use.
- Windows and Mirrors
When you enter a deaf home, you’ll notice multiple mirrors, glass doors or internal window modifications to support the need for enhanced visual cues. This visual design can be likened to a hearing person leaving doors open in their home so as to hear every conversation and various sounds throughout. Deaf people with multiple mirrors and windows will similarly “hear” multiple conversations in the room and know what’s happening in various parts of the home, so making such accessibility adjustments would be highly appreciated by your Deaf visitor.
What other designs do you think should be added to deaf homes to enhance accessibility? Share your thoughts in the comment section below. Be sure to follow us on social media.
