RNIB Access Consultancy Services are pleased to announce the award of the RNIB Reference to Artinsite and Moorfields Eye Hospital for the Hand Sanitizing Stations installed at the Hospital. The RNIB Reference recognises and rewards inclusive design in mainstream and care products and is based on assessment and user testing by RNIB.
Background
RNIB were approached in 2010 by Moorfields Eye Hospital in London and Artinsite, a company specialising in art and design for healthcare buildings. Artinisite had been tasked with creating something to help hand sanitizers stand out against their background in the hospital.
We have all become familiar with hand sanitizers, dispensing alcoholic gel to help prevent the spread of bacteria in hospitals or other public buildings. However, maybe we have become too familiar and don't even notice them anymore or find them difficult to see amongst the clutter often found on walls in public buildings. Blind and partially sighted people in particular can find them difficult to locate.
Working with RNIB
RNIB advised on prototype designs towards the end of 2010 and conducted a user trial at the hospital in December. Artinsite had designed tall, colourful banners with an outline of washing hands which could surround each hand sanitizer. This would help the sanitizers to stand out against their background and the consistency in design would help people to easily recognise and locate them around the building.
RNIB provided an expert assessment backed up by user testing with 30 people with varying levels of sight loss. Three different designs in three different colours were tested. The designs received lots of positive comments with a clear favourite emerging and only minor changes required.
With a few improvements to the design of the hands and advice on the best colours and colour contrast the hand sanitizer stations were completed and installed throughout the hospital in 2011. Not only do they help the hand sanitizers to stand out but they also add bright colour to the environment that is pleasing aesthetically. RNIB visited the site in 2011 to view the installed stations and were happy to award the RNIB Reference, acknowledging that the product is likely to be helpful for partially sighted people and for many others using the hospital environment.
Benefits for the user
There are clear, obvious benefits with this product which helps to highlight the provision and location of hand sanitizer units throughout a busy public building. The units stand out clearly for all to see and the consistent design used throughout the site further helps to highlight them. Many people with sight loss will no longer need to ask for assistance in finding hand sanitizers and will no longer have the uncomfortable situation where they have not had the opportunity to wash their hands before entering or leaving areas of the hospital.
More about Artinsite
Artinsite, based on Regent Street in London, specialises in art and design for healthcare buildings. They have worked with numerous hospitals and other healthcare buildings, providing artwork and design schemes which inject vibrant colour and images into the environment. Visit www.artinsite.co.uk for more information or call 020 7039 0177.
More about Moorfields Eye Hospital
Moorfields is one of the world's leading eye hospitals, providing expertise in clinical care, research and teaching and education. Their main focus is the treatment and care of NHS patients with a wide range of eye problems. Visit www.moorfields.nhs.uk for more information or call 020 7253 3411.
Contact us
RNIB Access Consultancy Services
PO Box 173
Peterborough
PE2 6WS
Telephone 01733 37 53 70