Designing Spaces Inclusively

There’s an interesting academic paper here entitled “Ten questions concerning autism and auditory accessibility in buildings” (HT to CRAE). 

research on creating more acoustically-inclusive equipment or spaces for [autistic people] is still limited, leading to shortcomings in existing acoustic design standards, which do not consider such sensory processing differences

I think this is important. Personally speaking, I find it really hard to be in an indoors public space such as a shopping centre or hospital. Knowing that they were built in a way that didn’t take account of people like me helps to explain it. I think it’s important to consider the needs of people in wheelchairs when designing buildings – they are now accounted for in building regulations. I also think it’s important to consider the needs of autistic people.

The recommendations, as distilled by CRAE, are as follows:

Possible adjustments for sounds:

• Background noises should be minimised during work or study.
• Include quiet areas or neutral spaces with as little ambient noise as possible.
• Incorporate calming, natural sounds (e.g., streams, rustling trees) in certain areas.
• Use sound-absorbing materials.
• Avoid sudden, unpredictable noises, such as alarms or automatic doors.

They also recommend:

• Offer adjustable lighting options to accommodate personal preference.
• Maximise natural lighting and use indirect lighting to avoid glares and flicker.
• Use neutral colours and environments to avoid sensory overload.
• Ensure predictable and clear layouts.
• Consider air temperature, air quality, ventilation and other factors.
• Use tactile-friendly materials that are non-distracting.
• Consider in future research how lights may impact circadian rhythm for autistic individuals.