Beyond Vision: The Soundscape as an Urban Accessibility Tool for People with Visual Impairments

The study investigates the sound perception of visually impaired people in urban environments, focusing on sound accessibility. The research is justified by the lack of recognition of the importance of sound for these people, contrasting with the traditional view that associates sound with noise. The objective is to understand how the visually impaired interact with the urban soundscape compared to sighted people. The methodology combines quantitative and qualitative methods, based on a soundwalk on the Ponta Verde waterfront, Maceió, Brazil. The results indicated a remarkable similarity in the evaluation of sound quality between the groups, with agreement in the most pleasant/calm (predominance of natural sounds) and most vibrant/agitated (higher traffic) points. The main difference was in the perception of natural sounds. The study suggests that sound accessibility should be incorporated into architectural design, creating auditory pathways that help with orientation and safety, in addition to eliminating noise. It is concluded that the soundscape is crucial in architecture and urban planning, promoting more inclusive environments. The research reinforces the importance of neuroarchitecture and accessibility, encouraging the creation of spaces that respect diverse sensitivities to sound.