How to create a sensory-inclusive environment

What’s happened and why?

Because of neurological differences, a significant number of people find certain aspects of the built environment uncomfortable or distressing. With the right design and management, it’s possible to eliminate, reduce or adjust potentially negative impacts to create places where everyone can flourish equally. PAS 6463:2022 is a new standard written to give guidance on designing the built environment for our neurodiverse society.

What does PAS 6463:2022 cover?

It gives guidance on the design of the built environment to include the needs of people who experience sensory or neurological processing differences. It covers buildings and external spaces for public and commercial use, and residential accommodation for independent or supported living.

It gives guidance on elements including lighting, acoustics, décor, flooring, layout, wayfinding, familiarity, clarity, thermal comfort and odour; and incorporates principles to ensure that people with or having a range of processing differences are able to access and enjoy their experience of the built environment.

 
Why use PAS 6463:2022?

It reflects a commitment to ensuring all users are considered when creating buildings or places and is the only guidance of its type written with input from world-leading experts and those who experience neurodiverse conditions.

It can help create environments that can attract new customers or tenants, enhance employee and customer retention, enhance well-being and improve the performance of occupants.

Its guidance can help organizations meet legal and social obligations, including under the Equality Act, and the Autism Act and meet dementia-friendly charters such as the one recently introduced by Greater London, as well as Article 9 in the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.