OSSINGTON CENTRE FOR THE VISUALLY IMPAIRED
A FACILITY TO TEACH VOCATIONAL SKILLS
Project Mentors: Werner Sommer, Perkins+Will and Mary Vella, HOK
The Issue
When confronted with blindness an irrevocable change occurs to the way one lives and works. Vision is not only the way we apprehend the world but also structure our reality and what can be known—losing this reference point has consequences on our sense of identity and independence. It is important to help people re-establish their careers and that aspect of their personalities.
THE ISSUES
Vision loss can also mean the loss also of
opportunities, access, independence and dignity.
The main goals to address are:
• Unemployment
• Social isolation
• Insufficient rehabilitation facilities
Vision loss can also mean the loss also of
opportunities, access, independence and dignity.
The main goals to address are:
• Unemployment
• Social isolation
• Insufficient rehabilitation facilities
During research it was discovered that one of the biggest barriers faced by the visually impaired is society’s perceptions of their capabilities. Society limits them with what it believes they can or cannot do. Claude Steele, the Dean of Sanford’s Graduate School of Education explains in his book ‘Whistling Vivaldi’ how stereotypes affect us. When the object of a stereotype is aware of the negative perception of him/her, that awareness constrains all manner of ability and performance. There is a need to educate people and to create awareness about this segment of our population and to help integrate them into the workforce. The social integration will be a major focus of the design.