DDA - Creating safe, functional environments for the visually impaired
Recent changes in the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 (DDA) have affected the issue of design. Read more about why there is a much greater emphasis placed on ensuring the inclusion of people with physical and sensory impairment.
Colour perception
According to one of the UK’s foremost disability access partnerships, approximately 1.97 million individuals in the UK are eligible to register as visually impaired.
The inability to differentiate between colours, especially closely related ones, is a very common visual impairment, the effect of which can make both dark and pale colours very difficult to distinguish when grouped together.
Environments coloured in what non-visually impaired users would see as subtle and harmonious tones, may, to those with impaired colour perception, be amorphous, confusing and disorientating spaces.
Legislation, regulation and guidance
The last stage of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 (DDA), which came into force in October , 2005, has caused the issue of design to ensure the inclusion of people with physical and sensory impairment to come very much to the fore.
DDa Legislation is more applicable to Interior use of colour than Exterior.
Akzo Nobel offers advice and guidance on compliance with legislation and regulations relevant to the use of their paint systems in creating inclusive environments. For further information click here alternatively call our Customer Relations Team on 0870 241 6457