Gallaudet University

Gallaudet University – renowned as the first institution of higher education in the world for deaf and hard of hearing individuals – remains the only university tailored to its unique population. The campus was designed by Frederick Law Olmstead beginning in 1866 and is recognized today as a National Historic Landmark District. Consequently, the university has the dual challenge of preserving its historic campus while best serving this self-described “signing community.”

The University’s office of campus planning and design asked KMA to assist them with an accessibility review of eight buildings, including six residence halls, an auditorium, and LLRH6: the newest building on campus, and the first to fully implement what have come to be known as “DeafSpace” principles.  Unlike a typical building review that might focus only on ADA compliance, KMA’s reviews at Gallaudet also included evaluations of the buildings against DeafSpace and Universal Design principles.  This was a critical first step in understanding not only issues of mobility and access, but also lighting, colors, acoustics, and other critical factors that the ADA largely overlooks. KMA’s reviews will serve as an ongoing resource for prioritizing future building improvements that will bring them into better alignment with the specific needs of its student body.