‘Social Sense’ is an inclusive social hub to explore, interact and engage. The space has been inspired by the needs of blind and visually impaired people. The aim of the space is to create social engagement within the diverse community where a sense of                     independence can be found. This will be accomplished by providing a service for the      visually impaired community to enjoy a ‘normal’ day to day experience with ease. 

With an increasing ageing population, people are living longer. By 2035, 23% of the     population will fall into this sector meaning the amount of visually impaired people is set to   double. I chose to focus in on this as it is a very current issue and requires support. By    Interviewing those visually impaired, I gathered there was a strong opinion that the general public are not educated on the issue. This was highlighted through examples of stigma and a view of the disability being seen as a minority. A staggering 43% of those visually impaired don’t feel confident enough to leave their homes, this really does justify the need for my design. 

The solution? To create a new type of social experience exploring all the senses to        discourage invisible attitude barriers and break physical barriers. The space creates an    intuitive, seamless experience to encourage exploration, interaction and engagement among its users. Together this creates a new and fun environment for everyone to get    involved in. 

My design challenges the public’s perception on visual impairment as a disability and stands as an example for future business’ to take an inclusive approach to design for all.