Course Info

6 video lessons (58 Mins)
Published
2017
4.35

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Browse Course Chapters

1.

Introduction

1 min
2.

Sense Of Place

7 mins
3.

How Do I Get There?

10 mins
4.

Other Senses And Mental Mapping

17 mins
5.

Challenges

11 mins
6.

Human Centered Design

11 mins

Course Description

The world isn't designed for blind people, with its preponderance of obstacles and visual markers, but so much of urban design history has neglected any consideration of the needs of the blind.

For safe, comfortable travel in this world, the visually impaired rely on the use of canes, guide dogs, sensory retraining, and technology. But as the film "Getting There" makes, clear, so much more can be done to design the building environment with the visually impaired in mind. Moreover, universal design, design that ensures that blind people have every opportunity to participate in society and the world, will benefit everyone.

For those of us who haven't experienced any form of visual impairment, "Getting There" can inform a more complete understanding of what it takes to be blind in the world today, and can also perhaps prepare us to be more effective allies in providing universal access in the public and price realms.

"Getting There" was produced by the New Hampshire Planners Association, and starting with its first viewing in 2015, Getting There has been shown by planning groups across the country, including at the APA's National Planning Conference in New York in 2017.