The image at left is from The Washingtonian. This guide will assist you with DeafSpace and Universal Design architectural research and recommend articles, selected databases, websites, and search tips related to this topic. Take a look at the DeafSpace website at Gallaudet University.
The Sage Deaf Studies Encyclopedia has background information about DeafSpace. The book chapter (22) DEAFSPACE: An Architecture Toward a More Liveable and Sustainable World by architect Hansel Bauman in Deaf Gain: Raising the Stakes for Human Diversity gives an in-depth description of how this movement started and DeafSpace principles. Another book with a chapter by Hansel Bauman is The Senses: Design Beyond Vision. There is a chapter in the book, Disability, Space, Architecture: A Reader.
The DeafSpace Design Guidelines drawn up at Gallaudet won the International Association of Universal Design award. This revolutionary and innovative view considers how Deaf people use space to feel “at home” and recommends furniture colors (muted blue & green), wall colors (blue--for contrast to all skin tones for less eye fatigue and easier comprehension of sign language), lighting, acoustics, sloping walkways instead of stairs, no sharp corners (curves), and other design principles that facilitate wayfinding and assist ALL people. Learn more about the Gallaudet Sensory Landscape project.
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