GENERAL SITUATION
Signs provide reassurance as well as information. Directional 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
- In designing or providing signs or notices, consideration should be given to the needs of people with a visual impairment and signs should be positioned with care.
- The use of standard and widely recognised symbols can often be easier to read and understand than written signs.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Where signs are within reach, they could be supplemented by raised or embossed lettering or be provided, also, in Braille.
- 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
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Are there any gaps in the signage to a facility? ( )
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If symbols are used, are they recognisable? ( )
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Are all signs easily read? ( )
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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.
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