Fulufhelo Nemasetoni_u17354821

RFS 700_ Quarter 4 Assignment: Master’s Research Proposal

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TITLE: The Effectiveness of Universal Design Principles in assisting the

navigation of visually impaired persons through public buildings.

1.1 Introduction

According to Census 2011, 9.3 % of the South African population are visually impaired with
seeing difficulties are the most prevalent form of disability in South Africa [ CITATION Sta11 \l
7177 ]. Visual impairment can be a barrier to accessibility to opportunities and amenities in
that it affects one’s ability to navigate through buildings where these opportunities and
services are located. Therefore, designing buildings and spaces that accommodate this
disability is of ‘social and economic necessity,’ in order to create a built environment that is
inclusive [ CITATION MIS14 \l 7177 ].

It is imperative to critically understand how the visually impaired experience, understand

and navigate through space in order to be able to ascertain whether the principles of
“Universal Design” are accommodating of this kind of spatial cognition which is very
different to that of sighted persons [ CITATION Ote171 \l 7177 ]. Secondly, it will be imperative
to understand which principles of Universal Design are specifically relevant to the concerns
of the visually impaired so as to be able to test these to determine whether they are efficient.

The ‘Universal Design Handbook’ which provides detailed information on the principles of
“Universal Design” defines universal design principles as guidelines for how objects and
spaces should be designed to make them accessible and ‘usable’ by all person without
difficulty [ CITATION Pre11 \l 7177 ]. The guidelines are not specific to any form of disability
but aim for the creation of space that is inclusive [ CITATION Won14 \l 7177 ]. Universal Design
is widely used in the design of public buildings internationally and so this study is important
in that it aims to ascertain whether these principles respond effectively to the specific needs
of the visually impaired in the South African context. This study will be conducted at the
Department Home Affairs in Mamelodi. This is a public building that provides very
important services needed by all South African regardless of disability and thus must be
inclusive and easily accessible to all. The study will be focused on two areas of the building,
namely:

1. The entrance threshold which includes the area in front of the building as well as the
main entrance doors.
2. Main service space where the Home Affairs tellers and teller /waiting area are located.

Figure 1 Photograph showing Entrance of the Mamelodi Department of Home Affairs by Johann Moller(2019)
Figure 2 Photograph showing Main Waiting Area and Tellers by Johann Moller (2019)

1.2 Abstract

This research aim is to ascertain the effectiveness of ‘Universal Design Principles’ in the
design of Public Buildings in the South African Context [ CITATION Pre11 \l 7177 ]. The
proposed paradigm is of a pragmatic nature, including both qualitative and quantitative
aspects. The primary research method will be interviews conducted on pre-selected
participants with questionnaires being the main research instrument. A public building was
identified due to its location, the diversity of its users and public function. The Mamelodi
Department of Home Affairs met these criteria.

1.3 Research Problem

Although Universal Design is widely used internationally, it is a fairly new practice in South
Africa and so research of whether ‘Universal Design Principles’ are efficient and sufficient
for navigation and accessibility in public in the South African context is needed and
useful[ CITATION Pre11 \l 7177 ].

1.3.1 Research Question

Do the ‘Principles of Universal Design’ meet the needs for the navigation for visually
impaired users in public building?
Sub-Questions

1. What elements of a space are needed for navigation in public buildings for the
visually impaired?
2. Which principles of universal design are aimed at the navigation needs of the
visually impaired?
3. Do the principles of universal design meet the needs of the visually impaired and
assist in navigation?

1.3.2 Hypothesis to be Tested

Universal Design Principles used in the design of the threshold and the teller/waiting area of
the Mamelodi Department of Home affairs are not effective in meeting the navigation needs
of the visually impaired.

1.3.3 Research Objectives

The primary objective of this research is to ascertain what elements of a space assist in
navigation for the visually impaired and whether these elements are addressed in the
Principles of Universal Design as stated in the Universal Design Handbook.

 To critically evaluate the principles and guidelines of Universal Design that are
aimed at the visually impaired.
 To test the effectiveness of these principles in assisting navigation by visually
impaired users in the threshold and the teller/waiting area of the Mamelodi Home
Affairs Department building.
 To ascertain if the Principles of Universal Design are a sufficient and effective in
meeting the needs of the visually impaired for navigation through the threshold and
teller/waiting areas in public buildings.
1.4 Literature Review

Principles of Universal Design

The Universal Design Handbook provides detailed information of the principles of Universal
Design. The book lists 7 design principles aimed at the design of inclusive and ‘usable’
product and spaces for all[ CITATION Pre11 \l 7177 ]. Attached to each principle is a set of
guidelines aimed at guiding the design process. The guidelines are not specific to any form of
disability but aim for the creation of space that is inclusive. In his book, Architecture Without
Barriers, Wong expresses his viewpoint that this “one-size fits all approach,” does not
acknowledge diversity (2017). With this approach the argument is that specialist design for
the visually impaired is not of importance but rather a design for all. This then leads to the
question of whether Universal Design responds effectively to the specific needs of the
visually impaired [ CITATION Won14 \l 7177 ].

Spatial Perception

In order to determine which design approach is best for architecture for the visually impaired
one must understand how they perceive and orientate themselves in space. Wong also
explores the differences between space and spatial perception and how these entities relate to
the visually impaired (2014). Thus, a different approach is needed when looking at a
universal approach to spatial perception [ CITATION Won14 \l 7177 ].

Case Study

A study done by Sarah M. Oteifa aimed t understating how the visually impaired perceive
space. This is an example of a qualitative research study aimed at extracting how the visually
impaired ‘filter out and prioritize spatial qualities’[ CITATION Ote171 \l 7177 ]. This study
research paradigm was that of ‘intersubjectivity,’ [ CITATION Dis02 \l 1033 ].

1.4.1 Research Paradigm

The pragmatic paradigm which is a mixed method design will be used for this study. The
research question needs both a qualitative and quantitative approach. Wong describes the
phenomenological approach as a “qualitative research method” (2014). The objective of
phenomenological research is to investigate experiences with the aim of documenting the
‘nature of the particular phenomenon’ with all attempts to remove visual architectural biases. [
CITATION Ote171 \l 1033 ]. Universal Design Principles have certain guidelines and
parameters. Thus, there is a qualitative aspect to this study.

1.5 Research Design

1.5.1 Research Location

The location where the research will be conducted is the Department of Home Affairs in
Mamelodi (Office No 28, Mahube Shopping Centre Cnrr and K54 Provincial Road, Tsamaya,
Mahube Valley, 0122) which is a public building that provides very important services and
should be accessible to all citizens of South Africa. It is in close proximity to

1.5.2 Research Population

I will be interviewing 10 adults, male and female, between the ages of 21-35.

1.5.3 Sampling Method

The study will utilize ‘purposive sampling’ [CITATION Kum \l 7177 ]. This sampling method
based on the discretion of the researcher determined by what type of information is needed
for the study. All participants must be visually impaired.

1.5.4 Research Instrument

Due to the explorative nature of the research objectives, it would be more appropriate to
interview visually impaired persons using a structured and well researched questionnaire
aimed at extracting the qualities of space that are important for spatial perception.

Structured Questionnaires

Three short 1 page questionnaires which consist of 5 questions will be conducted on each
research subject. These are aimed at visually impaired users of the building. The first
questionnaire will be compiled aimed at extracting what elements of a space are most
important for navigation. The second questionnaire will be aimed at the threshold space of
the Mamelodi Department of Home Affairs building in ascertaining which elements of the
space are effective in aiding navigation for the visually impaired, and which elements are
obstacles to navigation. In the third questionnaire, the relevant principles of Universal Design
will be presented with the responders asked to rate their perceived effectiveness in aiding
navigation.
Open-ended Interviews

Structured interviews with using a set of prepared researched qualitative questions will be
used. These will be open-ended questions so as to provide more in-depth information. It will
also allow for flexibility [ CITATION Kum \l 7177 ]

1.6 Research Plan

The research will be conducted over a period of 57 days excluding weekends. The
research cost will include transport from the University of Pretoria to the Mamelodi
Department of Home Affairs for a period of 17 days. Other costs include printing of
questionnaires and purchase of pens. The Research Cost is estimated R2000.00.

The Research timeline is shown below:

Task Description Timeframe

1 Obtain an official letter for the Department of 1 day
Architecture (University of Pretoria) as a form
of identification.
2. Formulation of questionnaires 14 days
3 Site visit: 1 day
Permission to access the building and be able
to talk to building users must be obtained with
the official letter from the university presented
as identification.
4 Study Population must be identified. 3 days
The participants of the structured
interviews must be identified and emails
sent seeking permission to interview and
also setting up convenient times.
5 Questionnaires 1-3 must be conducted on the 7 days
study population. Each questionnaire will take
10 mins to complete;
 Questionnaire Procedure:
1. The facilitator must formally introduce
themselves and provide identification.
The facilitator must be accompanied by
an available employee of the
Department of Home Affairs such as a
security guard as the respondents are
visually impaired and also ensure that
the respondents are protected and also
feel safe.

2. The facilitator must clearly explain the

aim of the study as well as the
procedure and clearly communicate that
the study is for educational purposes
and thus no payment will be made to
the respondent.

3. If the respondent agrees to participate

the respondents must give valid consent
which can be vocal or can offer a
signature if possible.

6 Structured Interviews with identified 10 days

participants.
7 Data Collated and analysed 14 days
8 Report showing findings and conclusions 7 days
TOTAL DAYS NEEDED FOR THE 57 DAYS
RESEARCH

1.7 Data Analysis

The questionnaires will be analysed with the purpose of identifying evident patterns and
concerns with an aim of identifying what the majority consensus with regards to the
effectiveness of the Universal Design Principles in navigation of public buildings is
[CITATION Tho \l 1033 ].

1.8 Axiological Approach

A Pragmatic axiological approach will be adopted based on both a subjective and objective
way of interpreting the results [ CITATION Dud19 \l 7177 ].

1.9 Ethics

Research ethics is very important as this is a qualitative study and will require inter-personal
interactions [ CITATION Tho \l 1033 ]. The researcher will also be interviewing visually
impaired persons and must follow the correct procedures on obtaining consent as well
making sure the questions are not discriminative of this type of disability and must not cause
harm to the participants[ CITATION Kum \l 7177 ].

1.10 Conclusion

The research findings of this study can be used to further formulate more design guideline
for

the design of public buildings that assist the visually impaired in navigating public buildings.

It also attempts to ascertain the effectiveness of Universal Design in this endeavour which is

a relatively under researched field of knowledge in the South African context based on the

evaluation of available information.

WORD COUNT 1955

Works Cited
Africa, S. S., 2014. Census 2011: Profile of persons with disabilities in South Africa, Pretoria: Statistics
South Africa.

Ahmer, C., 2014. Making Architecture Visible to the Visually Impaired, Bergen: Bergen University
College.

Anon., 2016. www.leading-architects.eu. [Online]

Available at: http://www.leading-architects.eu/features/featurenotes-on-blindness-architecture-
serves-the-visually-impaired-5710984/
[Accessed 12 April 2019].

Burcin , B.-K., 2013. A phenomenological study of spatial experiences without sight and critique of
visual dominance in architecture. Milan, European Architectural Endoscopy Association.

Dischinger, M., 2002. Designing For All Senses, Goteborg: Chalmers University of Technology.

Dudovskiy, J., 2019. Research Methodology. [Online]

Available at: https://research-methodology.net/research-philosophy/axiology-2/
[Accessed 6 November 2019].

Goldsmith, S., 1997. Designing for the Disabled: The New Paradigm. Second ed. London: Routledge.

Imrie, R. & Hall, P., 2001. Inclusive Design: Designing and Developing Accessible Environments. First
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Kumar, R., 2011. Research Methodolgy: a step by step guide for beginners. 3rd ed. London: Sage
Publishing.

Lynch, K., 1960. The Image of the City. Massachusetts: Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

MISHRA, S., 2014. ERGONOMICS DESIGN OF A BUILDING FOR VISUALLY IMPAIRED PEOPLE By
SHASHANK MISHRA. [Online]
Available at:
https://www.academia.edu/9210875/ERGONOMICS_DESIGN_OF_A_BUILDING_FOR_VISUALLY_IMP
AIRED_PEOPLE_By_SHASHANK_MISHRA_Supervisor
[Accessed 7 November 2019].

Oteifa, S. M., Sherif, L. A. & Mostafa, Y. M., 2017. Understanding the Experience of the Visually
Impaired towards a Multi-Sensorial Architectural Design. International Journal of Architectural and
Environmental Engineering , 11(7), pp. 946-951.

Preiser, W. F. & Smith, K. H., 2011. Universal Design Handbook. Second ed. New York: McGraw Hill.

Statistics South Africa, 2011. Census 2011:Profile of persons with disabilities in South Africa. [Online]
Available at: https://www.statssa.gov.za/publications/Report-03-01-59/Report-03-01-592011.pdf
[Accessed 24 October 2019].

Thomas, P. Y., 2010. TOWARDS DEVELOPING A WEB-BASED BLENDED LEARNING ENVIRONMENT,

Pretoria: University of South Africa .

Wong, H. L., 2014. Architecture Without Barriers, Ontario: Ryerson University.

Table of figures

Figure 1 Photograph showing Entrance of the Mamelodi Department of Home Affairs.......................2

Figure 2 Photograph showing Main Waiting Area and Tellers...............................................................2