Reality television shows have placed the emphasis on how real estate looks rather than how it functions or how successfully it is used. Designers of the ground-breaking Toronto National Centre for the Canadian National Insitute for the Blind (CNIB) put functionality first and ended up with a building that makes accessibility look good.

The new CNIB Centre demonstrates many of the ideals CNIB has worked toward in its 87-year-history as Canada's vision health and rehabilitation organization. Designed by Mary Jane Finlayson of Architects in Joint Venture, Shore Tilbe Irwin & Partners and Sterling Finlayson Architects, the 140,000-square-foot building is the great equalizer making it easy for those with or without visual and other impairments to get around. The Centre is a living example of how design can enhance people's lives.

"The CNIB Centre is more than just a building," stressed Jim Sanders, CNIB President & CEO. "It is the foundation around which we will realize a future without limits for the growing number of Canadians experiencing vision loss."

This exceptionally practical, but not extravagant, building is filled with innovative features that have a tremendous impact on accessibility such as talking signs, alarms and elevators, natural and diffused lighting, varying floor textures, and tactile maps and office signs.

CNIB directly services visually-impaired and deafblind Canadians, however, this nationwide, community-based volunteer organization is committed to research and public education that enhances the vision health of all Canadians. Through offices across Canada, CNIB delivers essential quality-of-life services and support necessary to maintain an active life regardless of vision loss or blindness: innovative consumer products, the world's largest digital library, rehabilitation counseling and training, and peer support.

The building is designed -- as any welcoming space should be -- to make people "immediately feel comfortable, so that they can quickly feel at ease and benefit from [CNIB] services." For example:

• The central large hallway (wide enough to allow two people and a dog guide to pass easily) provides a convenient starting point for finding your way.

• Offices and meeting rooms are also easily identified with unique signs that include an angled braille display ledge for easy tactile reading -- a first in Canada.

• The reception desk and the counter at the technical aids store have two counter heights: one at standing height, the other to accommodate clients in wheel chairs.

• Visiting clients will receive a small electronic device the size of a remote control that triggers guiding audio messages as they move through the building.

• A new Fragrant Garden serves as a tranquil sanctuary for both staff and clients with raised planters that bring greenery within easy reach.

While the CNIB is ecstatic about this facility, there is one thing that excites clients and staff even more -- what's going to happen within these walls. As in the original building, there'll be countless tales of clients overcoming fears and embracing life -- passionately gaining self-confidence, equality and independence.

Would you like to incorporate CNIB Accessible Design Features in your building?

CNIB's fee-for-service consultation services provide design expertise in the development or redesign of commercial, public and residential spaces to accommodate the needs of people with a wide range of disabilities with a primary focus on the needs of persons with a vision loss.

Using universal design principles, CNIB consultants assess existing building sites or design drawings and provide recommendations to ensure that buildings, spaces, and materials will meet the needs of people with the widest range of disabilities. The services include:

• Review/recommendations of drawings, buildings, and spaces

• Assistance with consumer testing of products or services

CNIB consultants can help with virtual design, too. Accessible web sites increase ease of use for everyone, but do not sacrifice hot design and rich content. Contact CNIB at 416-486-2500 extension 7016 or e-mail Lesley.MacDonald@CNIB.ca

Published: July 19, 2005

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