I had a short interview with a parent whose daughter is in the NDIS Housing and is also a nurse. I found it quite helpful as she gave me some information about the design aspects that tend to be forgotten by most as seen in the example she gave.
Liza:
“ …I just wanted to know from your perspective if there’s anything specific I should in corporate into the space that you think is lacking or missing from anything that is already available?”
Interviewee:
“I guess to just remember that Disability incorporates physical, intellectual and mental. Big scope sometimes between them all”
Liza:
“So, you saying that within the space I need to make sure that it fully incorporates all on the scope? Is there anything particular that gets overseen in these kinds of spaces that doesn’t particularly incorporate everyone?”
Interviewee:
“Well someone can have a physical disability (ie) wheelchair bound while having no cognitive issues while someone else can be fully mobile and have an intellectual impairment so no capacity for understanding of safety, etc. Mental Health also can come under NDIS which is another cohort of people again
An example of our new ward designed by architects...
Glass cabinets with memorabilia exhibited, emergency alarms on walls and our WIP phone (direct phone to fire brigade) hung on wall in ward. This ward is for severe behaviour, delirium & dementia pts. Guess who called fire brigade non-stop, smashed the glass cabinet and pushed all the emergency alarms. The design wasn’t based around the people who would be residing there, so I guess your brief is also similar!”