Those living with visual impairment face a broad range of challenges in navigating their environment, and particularly with identifying glass doors and windows. Recently the need to adapt buildings with this in mind has been recognised in law, and many are choosing to use Window Films to improve visibility of glazed areas of both residential and business properties.
The problems posed by ‘invisible’ doors
The term ‘visual impairment’ encompasses a wide spectrum of conditions including those who are partially sighted and fully blind.
For many of these people, locating glass doors and windows can be a particular challenge.
This is of course very inconvenient, but being unable to locate windows and doors is a real safety concern too; you can imagine how dangerous it could become for someone to be unable to orientate themselves or find an exit door in an emergency.
Often the traditional architectural elements installed in buildings don’t provide the contrast or clarity required for those with visual impairments to locate them, which could lead to accidental collision or injury.
This led to a recognition of the problem in the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) in 2004.
The DDA requires by law that in public buildings, “people with visual impairment should be in no doubt as to the location of the glass entrance doors, especially when they are within a glazed screen. The choice of a different style of manifestation for the door and the glazed screen can help to differentiate between them. The presence of the door should be apparent not only when it is shut but also when it is open.”
It is also a legal requirement to make large areas of glass apparent in public buildings by way of Regulation 14 of the Workplace Health, Safety & Welfare regulations, so it’s worth making sure that your building is meeting these requirements.
But help is at hand – by far the easiest and cheapest solution is to use Window Films to improve visibility of glass on your property.
How you can use Window Films to improve visibility of glass areas
Whether you are considering improving the visibility of your glazed areas in your home or a business property, Window Films provide a really simple solution which will bring great results.
Sureguard® Window Films offer a huge range of Window Films which increase visibility by boosting the contrast of your glass, including translucent or semi-frosted options.
Our Manifestation and Partition Window Film is specifically designed to make large areas of glass more apparent in order to reduce the risk of accidental collision and injury.
We create these either from coloured films, or a collection of frosted, dusted, etched, or sandblasted materials to create both a visual and tactile effect without the use of colour.
Our solutions are completely customisable and range from simple dots and squares to more complex designs, including logos and advertising to boost the branding of your premises whilst also bringing your building up to compliance with legal requirements.
How do Window Films increase accessibility?
You might be wondering how exactly you can use Window Films to improve visibility, and how it all works.
There are a few ways that Window Films increase accessibility and make spaces more comfortable for those with visual impairments:
- Increased contrast – Window Films are available in many different tints and patterns, so can create distinct contrasts against surrounding surfaces. This helps to highlight windows and doors, allowing those who are less able to see to navigate their environment and stay safe.
- Reduced glare – glare from natural or artificial light sources can hinder visibility for those with visual impairments. Window Films can help to reduce glare inside a building, creating a more comfortable viewing environment and improving the overall visual clarity of the room.
- Easy installation and maintenance – something we consistently hear from our clients is how straightforward the installation of our Window Films is, with no need for disruptive building works. This is a great bonus for anyone, but especially for those who rely on a consistent environment; the ease of installation of our Window Films means there are no additional obstacles for those with visual impairments to navigate. They’re also very low maintenance, as there are no ongoing tasks to manage which would rely on visual cues.
Where can you use Window Films to improve visibility of glass areas?
There’s a huge range of buildings which would benefit from using Window Films to improve visibility.
At home
Those living with visual impairment often want to adapt their homes to enhance the visibility of doors and windows. Window Films are perfect for creating recognisable markers for key entry and exit points by using contrasting patterns or colours.
Public buildings
Schools, hospitals, and offices can all use Window Films to meet legal requirements. Using Window Films to improve visibility of doors and exits in these buildings will ensure that both staff and visitors can navigate them independently, providing both inclusivity and safety for all.
Retail and hospitality spaces
Shops and cafes can use Window Films to improve visibility of their frontage as well as doors, making them more visible and inviting to those with visual impairments. We can help you to incorporate high-contrast designs and logos to both enhance the customer experience for those who struggle with their sight, as well as helping your business to comply with the requirements of the DDA.
Talk to Sureguard Window Films about using Window Films to improve visibility of glass at your property
Whether you’re adapting your own home, or you have a property which needs to be brought into compliance with the legal requirements for glass visibility, at Sureguard® Window Films we have over 40 years of experience in tailoring Window Film solutions to your needs.
We would love to hear from you, so get in touch today and we can help you to find the best way that you can use Window Films to improve visibility of the glass at your property.
