Disabled Access Day, March 2023

It was Disabled Access Day last week. The Landscape Factory would like to share one of our favourite non-visible disability landscape designs, Sweetwater Spectrum in California, and the benefits of inclusive design for everyone.

Inclusive design can benefit everyone, for example:

Sweetwater Spectrum, California

• Logical wayfinding helps reduce the cognitive load for all – such as one-way systems, colour-coded directional cues, pathways, or entrances guided by trees or shrubbery.

• Clear pictorial signage is accessible for the visually impaired or non-English speakers to understand, with as little text as possible.

• Soft, warm-toned lighting and natural colour palettes create a sense of calm.

• Frequent opportunities for contact with or closeness to nature, which has stress-relieving benefits.

This is Sweetwater Spectrum in California, An Innovative, Community-Based, Long Term Housing Solution for Adults with Autism or Similar Intellectual / Developmental Disabilities.

How the space is designed for people with Autism or Similar Intellectual / Developmental Disabilities:

Sweetwater Spectrum, California

• Clear navigation and wayfinding on flat, broad paths.

• Natural elements and materials are evenly spaced across the area and buildings.

• Muted, natural colour palettes.

• Thresholds between spaces allow independent choice over levels of interaction with others.

• Open windows, entrances and walkways allow for natural, indirect light and clear visibility between spaces to help anticipate transitions between areas.

Sweetwater Spectrum, California

Further Reading:

• Housing Toolkit

• The Autism ASPECTSS™ Design Index

• Green Spaces Outdoor Environments for Adults with Autism