S-Tiles - piastrelle per ipovedenti

TILES FOR THE VISUALLY IMPAIRED

The term ‘architectural barrier’ refers to any human edifice, construction or installation that impedes the autonomous and safe movement of those with muscular or sensory disabilities. Designers, architects, planners and others involved in developing public places are increasingly appreciative of the qualities ceramic tiles bring to open spaces and built environments. Ceramic tiles are recognised worldwide as an excellent paving or covering for public facilities like railway or subway stations, schools and hospitals, local and national government buildings, which fully comply with the rules on the removal of architectural barriers.

Some Italian tile manufacturers have found a helpful way for blind or partially sighted people to find out where they are and where they should be going. A series of instructions imprinted on the surface of special tiles allows the visually impaired to identify their position and easily follow a particular route. While making the lives of the blind easier and safer, the tiles are naturally made to the highest technical and aesthetic standards. This ‘artificial’ guide system is designed to complement such ‘physical’ guides as walls, pavements, roads, hedges and flowerbeds as well as the sensory ones of sound, touch and smell usually employed by the visually impaired to orientate themselves.