Design Clues for a Sensory Garden

Abstract Individuals with disabilities require special rehabilitation to fulfill their daily needs, to participate in educational activities, to develop social commitment and for socialization. Rehabilitation centers include indoor educational areas for individuals with disabilities. In this study, an outdoors sensory garden was envisaged that would allow the interactive enlightenment of individuals with disabilities. It was observed that the Isparta Özel Hayat Special Education and Rehabilitation Center, which provides special education and rehabilitation services to students with mental and physical disabilities, did not have a therapeutic area where out-of-class education activities could be conducted. In the present study, planning and design criteria for sensory gardens to meet the physical and psychological requirements of individuals with disabilities were investigated and feasibility of the field was determined to serve as a therapeutic outdoor space for the students in the rehabilitation center. Based on the interviews conducted educators in the rehabilitation center, literature review and occupant needs, the facilities that should be included in the rehabilitation center garden and the problems associated with the space were determined, a conceptual diagram was developed, and the modules were visualized using illustrations. The sensory garden was conceived for both fun and learning.