Contents ----------------- Preface ----------------- Introduction 1.1 Background 1.2 The Development of “Universal Accessibility” 1.3 Objectives 1.4 Study Methods and Framework ----------------- Universal Accessibility in the Built Environment 2.1 The Challenge in Hong Kong 2.2 Aging Population 2.3 Universal Accessibility in External Areas, Open Spaces and Green Spaces 2.4 Major Issues 2.5 The Way Forward ----------------- Best Practices and Guidelines 3.1 Access Route 3.2 Connectivity and Interfacing Elements 3.3 Landscaped Spaces 3.4 Furniture, Equipment and Fittings 3.5 Way Finding, Orientation and Signage 3.6 Detectable Surfaces 3.7 Colour and Luminous Contrast 3.8 Lighting 3.9 Safety 3.10 Management and Maintenance ----------------- Photo Gallery 4.1 Access Route 4.2 Connectivity and Interfacing Elements 4.3 Landscaped Spaces 4.4 Furniture, Equipment and Fittings 4.5 Way Finding, Orientation and Signage 4.6 Detectable Surfaces 4.7 Colour and Luminous Contrast 4.8 Lighting ----------------- Appendices A1 Case Study 1 - Rehabilitation Complex in Wong Chuk Hang A2 Case Study 2 - An External Public Space in Ma On Shan ----------------- Acknowledgements ----------------- References ----------------- View or Download PDF

3. Best Practices and Guidelines     3.1 Access Route 3.2 Connectivity and Interfacing Elements 3.3 Landscaped Spaces 3.4 Furniture, Equipment and Fittings     3.5 Way Finding, Orientation and Signage 3.5.1 Introduction 3.5.2 Way Finding and Orientation     3.5.3 Function of Signage 3.5.4 Design Considerations 3.5.5 Sensory Considerations 3.6 Detectable Surfaces 3.7 Colour and Luminous Contrast 3.8 Lighting 3.9 Safety 3.10 Management and Maintenance 3.5 Way Finding, Orientation and Signage   3.5.1 Introduction     The provision of effective signage is essential for way finding and orientation in open spaces such as parks, recreation grounds and urban squares. People with disabilities often find it difficult to fully engage in the environment that they are in because of inadequate information being provided or the information is simply not accessible. By designing and providing signage that caters to the needs of the widest spectrum of users, more people will be able to utilize and explore the space as the designer intended (3.5.1a). This section aims to give some guidelines on how information may be provided such that it can be within everyone’s reach. Other way finding and orientation tools apart from the conventional visual signage will be examined.           3.5.1a  Interactive tactile directory led by tactile guide path         3.5.2 Way Finding and Orientation     People with disabilities and the elderly are probably most in need of having clear and concise direction when they are in large open spaces. Communication should be established at the onset by providing the necessary information about the space at its major entrances. For example, for a park, the information may come in form of a large display directory with tactile and Braille information positioned near the major entrance gate and led by a tactile guide path. A tactile directory must be accessible and approachable (3.5.2a).   The physical layout of an open space itself can also help to facilitate way finding and orientation. A clear and simple layout with well-defined routes and interconnected areas would allow users to move about that space more easily, whereas a highly complex layout may cause confusion even with signage provided. Therefore, it is important that way finding and orientation strategies of an open space be carefully considered at the early stages of the design process.       3.5.2a  Interactive tactile directory led by tactile guide path