Deafness, Design and Communication in the Built Environment

Project Crystal

A brief description of Project Crystal

Deaf and hard of hearing people know that not all buildings are the same when it comes to communication. The type and level of light, the colour and patterns on the wall behind the speaker can affect both signing and lip-reading. We often hear of deaf people complaining about ‘visual dizziness’ when a room has busy decorations and/or wallpaper with complicated patterns. We are also aware of how hard it is to communicate by signing or lip-reading when the light is dim or too bright and just behind the speaker. However, there is little research which looks at everyday decoration and lighting and their impact on communication.

A new project funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) is now looking at how colour and light in public buildings affect deaf and hard of hearing people’s communication skills.

The project started at the University of Reading, in co-operation with the University of Hertfordshire, in October 1999. Other partners involved in the project include: Deafax Trust, RNID, BDA, Deafblind UK, Royal Berkshire and Battle Hospital Trust, UK Council on Deafness, City University-London, Amey Plc and the Centre for Accessible Environments.

The first part, which will last for approximately six months, includes a postal questionnaire survey which will be sent to a large number of deaf and hard of hearing people. Later, we will carry out group interviews with at least 36 deaf and hard of hearing people. We will also set up a room for testing how different decoration and lighting can make communication more or less difficult. The goal of this research project is to better understand the issues which have an effect on the deaf and hard of hearing communities. The project will also issue design guidance for good practice, so that public buildings can be more accessible and comfortable for all.
 

If you are interested in finding out more about Project Crystal  please contact Rachael Luck at the following address.

Research Group for Inclusive Environments
Department of Construction Management & Engineering
University of Reading
Whiteknights
Reading RG6 6AH
Textphone: 0118 9864253
Telephone: 0118 9316734
Fax: 0118 9316735

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