Abstract

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a cause of disability affecting patients’ sensory abilities and mobility. Students with MS have no mental disability and should ideally be taught with other students, but an educational built environment designed to support their needs is necessary. The main objective of this study was to develop comprehensive Design Guidelines for the educational built environment for students with MS (DG-MS), to facilitate their independence and psychological and social integration with their peers. Utilizing a mixed methods approach, this study had two phases: Phase I involved developing preliminary guidelines for the environment from previous literature, accounting for the needs of MS students in areas such as main entrances, classrooms, vertical and horizontal circulation, and toilets. In Phase II, we measured satisfaction with the initial guidelines among high school students with MS in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and assessed their environment based on responses. Results showed that students’ dissatisfaction with their school entrance, circulation, classrooms, and toilets were 55%, 90%, 75%, and 80%, respectively. These findings show that new, necessary design criteria should be added to the initial DG-MS and be incorporated when designing new schools; furthermore, existing schools should undergo development to adapt to these new criteria.