Low vision is not total blindness. It is a broad spectrum, with different needs depending on light, contrast, distance, and context. In urban mobility, this changes everything.
Between good intentions and improvised solutions, myths arise that hinder inclusion. Separating what works from what only seems to work helps design cities that are more legible for everyone.
Myth: “Just increase the font size”
Larger type helps, but it does not solve the problem on its own. For people with low vision, contrast, spacing, and typography matter as much as size.
Practical truths: - Light letters on a light background make reading difficult, even when large. - Very thin fonts “disappear” at a distance. - Continuous all-caps text is tiring and loses legibility.
Effective signage combines appropriate size, high contrast, and simple language.
Truth: contrast is the first ally
Well-applied contrast guides even before reading. It is what makes it possible to identify doors, steps, platforms, and changes in level.
Good practices in urban space: - Tactile paving with real contrast in relation to its surroundings. - Highlighted handrails and step edges. - Maps and panels with matte backgrounds, without glare.
Contrast is not aesthetics: it is information.
Myth: “Audio replaces visual signage”
Audio helps, but it does not replace it. It complements it. Noisy environments, technical failures, and an excess of messages can cause confusion.
Where audio makes a difference
- Clear arrival and destination announcements on buses and trains. - Audible traffic signals with volume adjusted to local noise. - Orientation kiosks with simple activation.
When audio exists, it needs to be objective, predictable, and consistent.
Truth: orientation begins before the journey
For people with low vision, knowing what to expect reduces anxiety and mistakes along the way. The city helps when it maintains standards.
Examples that work: - Visible, well-positioned numbering. - Color standards repeated by line or service. - Simplified maps at key points, such as terminals.
Predictability is silent inclusion.
Myth: “Strong lighting solves everything”
Too much light can get in the way. Glare, harsh shadows, and reflections on signs are common barriers.
Good lighting means: - Avoiding direct beams in the visual field. - Distributing light evenly. - Prioritizing readability without excessive brightness.
Good lighting respects the eye; it does not force it.
Truth: inclusion depends on combination, not on a single solution
Clear visual signage, functional audio, and coherent orientation add up. When one fails, the others provide support.
For managers, designers, and operators, the key question is simple: does the information arrive in more than one way?
When the answer is yes, mobility becomes fairer for people with low vision — and easier for everyone.
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