A scoping review of the impact of environmental design on wayfinding for people with sensory impairment

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Zali, Parastoo and McElroy, Lori B. and Giardini, Mario Ettore and Chaiyawat, Kullapat and Watson, Margaret (2025) A scoping review of the impact of environmental design on wayfinding for people with sensory impairment. HERD: Health Environments Research & Design Journal. ISSN 2167-5112 (https://doi.org/10.1177/19375867251391361)

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Abstract

Purpose: This review aimed to identify the environmental factors impacting wayfinding by people with sensory impairment (SI) and the perceived barriers and facilitators of those factors. In addition, the review explored design recommendations to improve the accessibility of built environments for this population. Background: Wayfinding design is frequently misconceived as the implementation of signage, whereas it also involves spatial planning to facilitate intuitive navigation. Individuals with visual and hearing impairments face multiple accessibility challenges that could be tackled through user-centered design. Methods: A scoping review was conducted using standard methodology. Electronic databases were searched (Medline, Embase, APA PsycINFO, SCOPUS, Web of Science) from January 2000 to August 2023. Independent duplicate screening was performed for 10% of sources. The extracted data was analyzed using content analysis. A conceptual framework was developed to map the key environmental factors impacting the individual's wayfinding with SI. Results: From the 3,716 records identified, 41 studies were included. Results were categorized into three domains of architectural, graphical, and sensory elements. Frequently cited architectural barriers included complex layouts, unclear circulation, nonstandard stairs, and the presence of obstacles. Regarding graphical elements, the nonstandard design or placement of signage was common. Key sensory challenges were related to insufficient lighting, low visual contrast, and the inappropriate selection of materials. Conclusions: This review highlighted multiple environmental factors that influence wayfinding for people with SI. Policymakers, architects, and designers could use these results to eliminate barriers in the built environment and develop evidence-based design interventions addressing the access needs of this population.

ORCID iDs

Zali, Parastoo ORCID logoORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0005-7529-209X, McElroy, Lori B. ORCID logoORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4472-9891, Giardini, Mario Ettore ORCID logoORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4849-9683, Chaiyawat, Kullapat and Watson, Margaret ORCID logoORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8198-9273;
CORE (COnnecting REpositories)