FIGURE 3 VISUAL SCREENS TO ALERT THE DEAF (SOURCE: DEAF FIRST ARCHITECTURE

2) Emergency Alerts

Usually the fire emergency in normal buildings are alerted by fire alarm. The fire alarm, unfortunately, cannot be heard by the deaf. The Gallaudet University had not mentioned about the emergency alert systems for the deaf space.

So, a means to do this is by keeping a visual apparatus, that would enable it to vibrate or shake vigorously, in order to capture the attention of the deaf and hard of hearing beings. This system could be done during the daytime, whereas at night, there could be a system of blackout, where only the red light would flash all around the building, in case of any emergency.

Figure 3Visual screens to alert the deaf (Source: Deaf first Architecture)

3) Promoting Spatial awareness

The way finding and travelling from one space to another can be confusing even for the public in any building. There is an intention to ask the main receptionist or anyone in the building, in order to find a way to get to a specific department or café. How hard would it then be for the people who are deafened.

This could be done by installing carpets or materials that don’t reflect or resonate sounds on the floors of spaces such as corridors, common areas etc. Wooden floors can be installed in classrooms, activity rooms, office cabins etc. so that one can understand that they have entered to a different zone, in which they should tap the floor to gain the attention of teacher or any other person in the same space. The common areas are not floored with wooden materials due to the influx of people and this could lead to a lot of vibrations that could distract the users, especially the hard of hearing.

Also, there could be extensions of glass walls or coloured glass walls could be places on the corners of corridors, spaces leading to classrooms etc. to avoid bumping into each other. These extensions could be other perforated screens or brick wall with jali work.