Dr Gayle J. BoothHead of marketing and research

Introduction

• Existing research maintained traditional signage was not meeting the needs of people with disabilities

• Social model of disability (Barnes, 2005)

• One year developing the design– Bridging academia and industry

• Qualitative research that consulted with 8 managers of care homes who had installed pictorial signage

• This presentation reveals preliminary findings in terms of,– service users, – staff – and family and friends

• Conclude the need for more research in this area and advocate the effectiveness not only in care settings but also in public spaces

Environment• Mainstream environments are designed for able bodied people (Barnes, 2005)

• Mainstream environments tend to use pale colours that render surfaces indistinguishable (Pool, (2007)

• People with high levels of visual impairmentwill require design features to negotiate the environment (Department of Health, 2003)

• How could pictorial signage improve the environment?

Door furniture

• Immediate theme to corridor

• Bright primary colours provide contrast to uniform corridors

• Kick plates and door handles

Door Cal

Kick Plate

3D image of the destination on question provides further clues negating difficulties associated with the cognitive impairments often associated with dementia.

Qualitative findings

• Improved wayfinding and orientation• Reduced ‘accidents’• Reduced behaviour we find challenging• Improved sociality• Increased positive interaction between service

user and staff• Family and friends noticed a calmer

atmosphere

Qualitative findings• Non verbal service users can point at the sign to indicate they need the

toilet

• “Very positive. The signs have assisted with changes that have freed time spent cleaning up or escorting to the toilet. It has put a positive spin on their workloads. They can enjoy time with service users and see them laugh”

• 13% of service users lost weight over a 3 month period. Following the introduction of the signs that was reduced to 3%

Qualitative findings

Emerging themes• Continence• Aggression Rates• Use of Sedation• Weight Loss• Food• Repetitive behaviour

Conclusion

• Qualitative research therefore findings can not be generalised

– Reduction in accidents (incontinence)– Reduced use of sedation– Improved orientation and way finding– Lower anxiety– Improved sociality and interactions among service users and between staff– Environment a much nicer place to be

• Encouraging results provided impetus for a larger cross country comparison

• Useful in public spaces