Sensory Accessibility: How to Solve a Problem
Why is sensory accessibility a problem? And how do we solve it?
Last week, Practical Sanctuary led a panel discussion on sensory accessibility with Green Building United. We discussed neurodiversity, as normal differences in brain structure and perception among people. We demonstrated a number of universal building standard design features that cause significant distress to neurodivergent and highly sensitive people. Then we offered some simple solutions to consider when making design choices.
Our LinkedIn post on hand dryers went low-key viral.
A problem to solve.
A Simple Problem-Solving Process
Often, the biggest obstacle to solving a problem is making the decision to solve it. As a person who grew up surrounded by engineers*, I believe that most problems have solutions.
I’ve had excellent results with this simple problem-solving process:
✅ Call engineer and explain problem.
✅ Listen to engineer explain why they can’t solve it.
✅ Look beseechingly at engineer, and explain why they MUST solve it.
✅ Watch engineer solve problem.
You can ONLY solve a problem if you:
✅ Correctly identify the problem.
✅ Assume it has a solution.
✅ Commit to solving it.
Before you commit to a project—such as making a space sensory accessible—any doubts, fears or obstacles will discourage you. After you make that commitment, obstacles only strengthen your resolve. The rest is just logistics.
When anyone insists that a problem CANNOT be solved, ask yourself: Who benefits by NOT solving this problem? And how can we convince them that they will benefit more by solving it?
So often, you may see sensory accessible design choices as trivial, frivolous, or merely ‘nice to have.’ Features such as good acoustics, indirect lighting, privacy and adaptability are already standard in spaces like spas and high-end hotels. But convincing the real estate development industry to consider sensory issues in ALL projects can be a heavy lift.
That’s why we’re talking with architects and designers who are already committed to a more sustainable, inclusive future. Sensory interior design and sustainability are natural partners.
And the more inclusive our spaces are, the more we can innovate using the superpowers of everyone on our team.
Interested in a sensory accessibility analysis for your workplace? We have you covered. Find out more here.
*Dad: aerospace engineer. Cousin: mechanical engineer. Brother: mechanical engineer. French boyfriend: software engineer. Brooklyn boyfriend: electrical engineer. Ex-husband: IT hardware engineer.
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The Eccentric Genius Habitat Intervention
Your space, your nervous system.
Most of us were never taught how our bodies actually experience a room–the light, the sound, the layout, the smell–and what happens when those things work against us instead of for us.
This free seven-day course is a gentle introduction to sensory design. Each day brings one exercise–noticing what you feel, photographing what you’ve been editing out, dreaming about what you actually want. The exercises are all optional, and you can go as deep as you like.
By the end, you’ll understand more about why certain rooms drain you, what your body knows about your home, and how to start shifting without stressing out.
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Practical Sanctuary, sensory interior design, specializes in interior design for highly sensitive people.
We help you create spaces which are:
