Last updated on 16/04/04
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Requirements of the Disability Discrimination Act.

GENERAL SITUATION
Signs provide reassurance as well as information. Direction signs are essential where visitors are left to find their own way around a building even if they have been given verbal directions.

DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS

1. In designing or providing signs or notices, regard should be had to the needs of people with impaired vision and signs should be positioned with care.
2. The use of standard and widely recognised symbols can often be easier to read and understand than written signs.
3. There should be a good contrast between the lettering of a sign and the background. White or yellow on a dark background avoids glare, but black on a yellow background can be easier to read for some people with impaired vision.
4. Characters and numbers should be at least 70 mm high. A proper mixture of upper and lower case letters should be used. The RNIB prefers the use of Helvetica medium sans serif font.
5. Signs should be mounted at about eye level - I ,400 to 1,700 mm above floor level. Suspended signs should be raised to 2,300 mm. To facilitate close viewing by a wheelchair user, these could be duplicated at a height of between 1000 and 1100mm.
6. Where signs are within reach, they could be supplemented by raised or embossed lettering or be provided, also, in Braille.
7. Maps or plans in a reception area can be useful to people with hearing impairments. Tactile maps or plans might benefit people with sight impairments who may be unable to read signs.

CHECKLIST

1. Are there any gaps in the signage to a facility? ( )
   
2. If symbols are used, are they recognisable? ( )
   
3. Are all signs easily read? ( )
   
4. Are tactile signs provided? ( )
   

DIAL Disclaimer
Whilst all the information given in this fact sheet was correct at the time of going to press,
DIAL Doncaster cannot be held responsible for any subsequent changes.