A Scoping Review of the Impact of Environmental Design on Wayfinding for People With Sensory Impairment

Parastoo Zali; Lori B. McElroy; Mario Ettore Giardini; Kullapat Chaiyawat; Margaret Watson

doi:10.1177/19375867251391361

A Scoping Review of the Impact of Environmental Design on Wayfinding for People With Sensory Impairment

Parastoo Zali (Lead / Corresponding author), Lori B. McElroy, Mario Ettore Giardini, Kullapat Chaiyawat, Margaret Watson

Biomedical Engineering

Research output: Contribution to journal › Literature review › peer-review

Abstract

Purpose

This review aimed to identify the environmental factors impacting wayfinding by people with sensory impairment (SI) and the perceived barriers and facilitators of those factors. In addition, the review explored design recommendations to improve the accessibility of built environments for this population.

Background

Wayfinding design is frequently misconceived as the implementation of signage, whereas it also involves spatial planning to facilitate intuitive navigation. Individuals with visual and hearing impairments face multiple accessibility challenges that could be tackled through user-centered design.

Methods

A scoping review was conducted using standard methodology. Electronic databases were searched (Medline, Embase, APA PsycINFO, SCOPUS, Web of Science) from January 2000 to August 2023. Independent duplicate screening was performed for 10% of sources. The extracted data was analyzed using content analysis. A conceptual framework was developed to map the key environmental factors impacting the individual's wayfinding with SI.

Results

From the 3,716 records identified, 41 studies were included. Results were categorized into three domains of architectural, graphical, and sensory elements. Frequently cited architectural barriers included complex layouts, unclear circulation, nonstandard stairs, and the presence of obstacles. Regarding graphical elements, the nonstandard design or placement of signage was common. Key sensory challenges were related to insufficient lighting, low visual contrast, and the inappropriate selection of materials.

Conclusions

This review highlighted multiple environmental factors that influence wayfinding for people with SI. Policymakers, architects, and designers could use these results to eliminate barriers in the built environment and develop evidence-based design interventions addressing the access needs of this population.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	1-20
Number of pages	20
Journal	HERD: Health Environments Research & Design Journal
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1177/19375867251391361
Publication status	E-pub ahead of print - 20 Nov 2025

Keywords

Spatial navigation
Architectural accessibility
Wayfinding
Visual impairment
Hearing impairment

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Architecture
Civil and Structural Engineering

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Access to Document

10.1177/19375867251391361Licence: CC BY

Final published versionFinal published version, 1.72 MBLicence: CC BY
Supplementary materialFinal published version, 89.2 KBLicence: CC BY

2 Abstract

Barriers to Healthcare Access: A Qualitative Study of Older Adults with Visual Impairment (OAwVI)
Zali, P., Watson, M., Giardini, M. E. & McElroy, L. B., 6 Jun 2025, p. 14-14. 1 p.
Research output: Contribution to conference › Abstract › peer-review
Human-centred design of healthcare environments: Investigating wayfinding experiences of older people with visual impairments
Zali, P., Giardini, M. E. & McElroy, L. B., 9 Jun 2025.
Research output: Contribution to conference › Abstract › peer-review

Cite this

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title = "A Scoping Review of the Impact of Environmental Design on Wayfinding for People With Sensory Impairment",

abstract = "Purpose This review aimed to identify the environmental factors impacting wayfinding by people with sensory impairment (SI) and the perceived barriers and facilitators of those factors. In addition, the review explored design recommendations to improve the accessibility of built environments for this population. Background Wayfinding design is frequently misconceived as the implementation of signage, whereas it also involves spatial planning to facilitate intuitive navigation. Individuals with visual and hearing impairments face multiple accessibility challenges that could be tackled through user-centered design. Methods A scoping review was conducted using standard methodology. Electronic databases were searched (Medline, Embase, APA PsycINFO, SCOPUS, Web of Science) from January 2000 to August 2023. Independent duplicate screening was performed for 10\% of sources. The extracted data was analyzed using content analysis. A conceptual framework was developed to map the key environmental factors impacting the individual's wayfinding with SI. Results From the 3,716 records identified, 41 studies were included. Results were categorized into three domains of architectural, graphical, and sensory elements. Frequently cited architectural barriers included complex layouts, unclear circulation, nonstandard stairs, and the presence of obstacles. Regarding graphical elements, the nonstandard design or placement of signage was common. Key sensory challenges were related to insufficient lighting, low visual contrast, and the inappropriate selection of materials. Conclusions This review highlighted multiple environmental factors that influence wayfinding for people with SI. Policymakers, architects, and designers could use these results to eliminate barriers in the built environment and develop evidence-based design interventions addressing the access needs of this population.",

keywords = "Spatial navigation, Architectural accessibility, Wayfinding, Visual impairment, Hearing impairment",

author = "Parastoo Zali and McElroy, \{Lori B.\} and Giardini, \{Mario Ettore\} and Kullapat Chaiyawat and Margaret Watson",

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doi = "10.1177/19375867251391361",

language = "English",

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T1 - A Scoping Review of the Impact of Environmental Design on Wayfinding for People With Sensory Impairment

AU - Zali, Parastoo

AU - McElroy, Lori B.

AU - Giardini, Mario Ettore

AU - Chaiyawat, Kullapat

AU - Watson, Margaret

PY - 2025/11/20

Y1 - 2025/11/20

N2 - Purpose This review aimed to identify the environmental factors impacting wayfinding by people with sensory impairment (SI) and the perceived barriers and facilitators of those factors. In addition, the review explored design recommendations to improve the accessibility of built environments for this population. Background Wayfinding design is frequently misconceived as the implementation of signage, whereas it also involves spatial planning to facilitate intuitive navigation. Individuals with visual and hearing impairments face multiple accessibility challenges that could be tackled through user-centered design. Methods A scoping review was conducted using standard methodology. Electronic databases were searched (Medline, Embase, APA PsycINFO, SCOPUS, Web of Science) from January 2000 to August 2023. Independent duplicate screening was performed for 10% of sources. The extracted data was analyzed using content analysis. A conceptual framework was developed to map the key environmental factors impacting the individual's wayfinding with SI. Results From the 3,716 records identified, 41 studies were included. Results were categorized into three domains of architectural, graphical, and sensory elements. Frequently cited architectural barriers included complex layouts, unclear circulation, nonstandard stairs, and the presence of obstacles. Regarding graphical elements, the nonstandard design or placement of signage was common. Key sensory challenges were related to insufficient lighting, low visual contrast, and the inappropriate selection of materials. Conclusions This review highlighted multiple environmental factors that influence wayfinding for people with SI. Policymakers, architects, and designers could use these results to eliminate barriers in the built environment and develop evidence-based design interventions addressing the access needs of this population.

AB - Purpose This review aimed to identify the environmental factors impacting wayfinding by people with sensory impairment (SI) and the perceived barriers and facilitators of those factors. In addition, the review explored design recommendations to improve the accessibility of built environments for this population. Background Wayfinding design is frequently misconceived as the implementation of signage, whereas it also involves spatial planning to facilitate intuitive navigation. Individuals with visual and hearing impairments face multiple accessibility challenges that could be tackled through user-centered design. Methods A scoping review was conducted using standard methodology. Electronic databases were searched (Medline, Embase, APA PsycINFO, SCOPUS, Web of Science) from January 2000 to August 2023. Independent duplicate screening was performed for 10% of sources. The extracted data was analyzed using content analysis. A conceptual framework was developed to map the key environmental factors impacting the individual's wayfinding with SI. Results From the 3,716 records identified, 41 studies were included. Results were categorized into three domains of architectural, graphical, and sensory elements. Frequently cited architectural barriers included complex layouts, unclear circulation, nonstandard stairs, and the presence of obstacles. Regarding graphical elements, the nonstandard design or placement of signage was common. Key sensory challenges were related to insufficient lighting, low visual contrast, and the inappropriate selection of materials. Conclusions This review highlighted multiple environmental factors that influence wayfinding for people with SI. Policymakers, architects, and designers could use these results to eliminate barriers in the built environment and develop evidence-based design interventions addressing the access needs of this population.

KW - Spatial navigation

KW - Architectural accessibility

KW - Wayfinding

KW - Visual impairment

KW - Hearing impairment

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DO - 10.1177/19375867251391361

M3 - Literature review

C2 - 41264411

SN - 1937-5867

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JO - HERD: Health Environments Research & Design Journal

JF - HERD: Health Environments Research & Design Journal

ER -

A Scoping Review of the Impact of Environmental Design on Wayfinding for People With Sensory Impairment

Abstract

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

UN SDGs

Access to Document

Fingerprint

Research output

Barriers to Healthcare Access: A Qualitative Study of Older Adults with Visual Impairment (OAwVI)

Human-centred design of healthcare environments: Investigating wayfinding experiences of older people with visual impairments

Cite this