PENINGKATAN RANCANGAN WAYFINDING (MENEMUKAN JALAN) UNTUK SEKOLAH PENYANDANG DISABILITAS VISUAL DI SURABAYA DAN PELUANG PENGEMBANGANNYA UNTUK BANGUNAN PUBLIK LAINNYA

Abstract

Title: Wayfinding Design Improvement for the Blind School in Surabaya and Development Opportunities for Other Public Buildings

Yayasan Pendidikan Anak Buta (Blind Children Education Foundation or YPAB) Special Junior High School in Surabaya is a dedicated institution for teaching blind students. Unfortunately, the school is found less accessible for the blind because it was designed for the farming school with spread buildings’ footprints in the 1970s. A literature review and accessibility evaluation conclude that besides architecture improvement, a small architectural model is needed to teach the students to be able to conduct orientation and mobility. The model should be accessible to blind students, total blind and low vision, with various information such as voice, braille, contrasting colour, and tactile marking. This architecture model is designed in collaboration of YP AB teachers, Architecture Program Study, Electrical Program Study of Petra Christian University and Prototype Studio. The model is created with laser cutting and equipped with electronic circuits for the voice of wayfinding instructions for blind students. The model is found improving the blind students to practice orientation and mobility in the school. Further research pursues improving public building wayfinding for the blind persons as described in the State Library of Queensland (SLQ).