Accessibility
CNIB Centre, Toronto
The CNIB Centre, a model of universal design can be experienced with all of the senses and is accessible to anyone, regardless of disability.
Features include:
- One straight central hallway - easier to navigate than a corridor with turns and curves
- Extra-wide hallways so guide dogs, white canes, wheelchairs or scooters can pass each other easily
- Varied floor textures and colour contrast to help identify important areas like stairs, work areas, elevators and the edges of hallways. Each sounds and feels different as you walk or wheel on it or touch it with a cane
- Black tactile pathway in café for wayfinding; aromas also act as wayfinding tools
- Talking elevators that announce floors and direction (up or down)
- Talking signs: visitors can pick up an FM receiver at reception to receive spoken information at 20 locations in building.
- Office signs with lettering in high-contrast print, raised letters and braille. Ledges are angled to reduce wrist strain, a first in Canada (most signs are flat against walls in other buildings).
- All of the lighting in the building is natural or diffused to reduce glare and help people make the most of their vision