"Can I hear some suggestions" was a good place to not start, don't you see what I mean?

I am thinking you go with some come of visually thing that's visual.

, rather

hmm, this is interesting.... I'm trying to think of what things we rely on in our homes that are purely audial.

fire alarms - I know they make ones that flash
doorbell if it's a house- maybe you could get a visual device for this too, and make sure the front door is visible and not tucked in a little alcove somewhere?

I can't think of others, but they're probably out there.

While growing up my deaf nighbors' phone made lights flash throughout the house. Also maybe the doorbell, but I don't remember. As a kid I'd look out my bedroom window and occasionally see the house flash like an annoying kid at the switch.

How did they use the phone you ask? It had a special key pad.

The Include conference at the Helen Hamlyn Research Centre at London's RCA has had lots about designing for sensual impairments, effects of ageing and illness/injury, cognitive impairments etc.

The relevant chap at last year's event was Neil Thomas, Royal National Institute for the Deaf (RNID), in the UK.

Brilliant folks...thank you. To amend...for those who are wondering:

the project I am looking to gather the intel for is a school for the deaf. Thus facilities that are necessary for children that have impaired hearing or are completely deaf.

Audible (louder than normal) and visual stimulus (as in flashing alarms) as well as vibrations. Yeah....interesting stuff. BUT are there others? Any thoughts?

Thanks PsyArch....

Take advantage of the visual and tactile! It could be a great opportunity to explore new technologies.

Check out www.ttytdd.com - it has ADA information as well as various products.

lots of windows
outdoors
fountain
lots of trees that sway with the wind

fantastic LFAI, thank you.

yes please do keep the ideas coming. I suppose we all at one point have thought of these things (the things we take for granted) but that's why I ask.