The educational spaces (learning environments) for blind children, with focus on their sense perceptions

mitra dehghan dehnavi¹

1) M.S degree on Arvhitecture,Faculty of Art and architecture-Department of Architecture,Mashhad Branch,Iran

IOI Code : XCAZ-EHKAB
Publication : 2nd. International Congress on science & Engineering - paris(parisconf.com)
Abstract :
    Perceiving and interacting with the environment begins from childhood, and due to this reason, educational spaces in which children are placed at a young age are of great importance. Given the vision loss, the blinds use their other senses to perceive the environment. However, in our country, Iran, the educational spaces for blind and partially sighted children have not been designed to meet their needs; in the early years of the presence of children in the community, this issue results in confusion and fear of these spaces. With a specific focus on different sense perceptions of the blind and partially sighted children in perceiving the environment, this research aims to present guidelines for the architectural design of the educational spaces, particularly created for this group. Through a qualitative approach, a logical reasoning methodology and descriptive-analytical techniques, this research proves that the represented guidelines along with the application of children’s senses, will significantly improve children s sense of place while establishing interactions with the environment; stress reduction, enhancement of the sense of security and belonging, and children s learning ability improvement would also be the results of following such guidelines.

Keywords : blind visually impaired non visual perception perceptual aspects design of educational spaces