The Mirrabooka Age Care Facility in Western Australia serves as a place of comfort, care, and support for seniors in the community. Ensuring the safety and accessibility of the facility is paramount to providing residents with a high quality of life. To meet these goals, the Mirrabooka Age Care Facility partnered with Dottac, a leading company specializing in tactile solutions. Dottac’s innovative use of stainless steel tactile indicators played a vital role in enhancing safety and accessibility within the facility, creating a more inclusive and welcoming environment for its residents.
Age care facilities like Mirrabooka play a crucial role in supporting the elderly population, providing them with a comfortable and secure place to live. However, ensuring that residents with varying abilities can navigate and live comfortably within the facility is a priority. This prompted the Mirrabooka Age Care Facility to seek ways to enhance accessibility while maintaining a homely and comfortable atmosphere.
Tactile indicators are essential tools for improving accessibility in public spaces, especially in environments like age care facilities where the well-being of residents is of utmost importance. These indicators provide sensory information through tactile cues, aiding individuals with visual impairments in safe navigation.
Dottac initiated the project by conducting a comprehensive assessment of the Mirrabooka Age Care Facility’s premises. This assessment aimed to identify key areas where tactile indicators could have the most significant impact. Collaborating closely with facility staff and accessibility experts, Dottac ensured that the installation would be tailored to meet the unique needs and requirements of the residents and the facility.
One of the primary areas of focus was the entrance to the facility. Dottac strategically installed stainless steel tactile indicators at the entrances, marking the transition from the exterior to the interior. These tactiles provided clear and tactile cues, making it easier for residents with visual impairments to locate and access the facility’s entrance independently.
Inside the facility, tactiles were placed strategically to guide residents towards various areas, including common areas, dining rooms, recreation areas, and their private rooms. These indicators formed tactile pathways, ensuring that residents with visual impairments could navigate the facility confidently. The tactiles’ raised dots and patterns provided tactile feedback, helping residents identify directional cues and transitions.
The choice of stainless steel for the tactile indicators was both functional and aesthetic. Stainless steel is known for its durability and resistance to corrosion, making it suitable for indoor and outdoor use. Moreover, the sleek appearance of the stainless steel tactiles added a touch of modernity while blending seamlessly with the facility’s interior design.
Staircases and ramps, common features in multi-level age care facilities, were another area of focus. Dottac addressed this by installing tactile indicators on staircases and ramps throughout the facility. These tactiles featured raised dots and tactile patterns that clearly defined each step or transition, enhancing safety and accessibility.
Elevators, a crucial element for residents in multi-story facilities, also received Dottac’s attention. Tactile indicators were strategically positioned near elevator doors, aiding residents in locating and accessing elevators independently. This not only improved accessibility but also demonstrated the Mirrabooka Age Care Facility’s commitment to creating a safe and welcoming living environment.
The installation of stainless steel tactile indicators at the Mirrabooka Age Care Facility highlighted Dottac’s dedication to accessibility and inclusivity. These indicators symbolized a commitment to ensuring that residents could enjoy their living spaces and communal areas independently and without barriers.
Furthermore, the tactiles significantly contributed to the safety and confidence of residents with visual impairments. By providing clear and tactile cues, they facilitated independent navigation and reduced the risk of accidents, enhancing the overall quality of life for residents.
Dottac’s innovative use of stainless steel tactile indicators at the Mirrabooka Age Care Facility in Western Australia was a significant milestone in enhancing safety and accessibility within the facility. The project not only made the facility more accessible but also emphasized the importance of thoughtful design and tactile solutions in creating a comfortable and inclusive living environment for seniors. The Mirrabooka Age Care Facility’s commitment to accessibility serves as a commendable model for age care facilities, highlighting the significance of accessibility and inclusivity in ensuring the well-being and quality of life of residents.
Products used
Warning Tactiles