With over 2 million people in the UK living with sight impairment, the need for braille and tactile signage is an important consideration for all businesses.
Morgans Consult works with numerous private and public sector organisations that want to ensure inclusivity by making braille and tactile signage an integral part of their wayfinding and signage schemes.
But what is braille and tactile signage? Why is important? And how is it best implemented?
We look at its history, its importance, why and how businesses can ensure DDA compliant, giving some practical advice on how best to implement a braille and tactile scheme.
What is Braille?
Braille, the tactile writing system used by blind and visually impaired individuals, was developed by Louis Braille in the 1820s in France. Born with a visual impairment, Braille created a system of raised dots that could be felt with the fingertips, allowing people who were blind to read and write. His system was inspired by night writing, a method used by the military to communicate silently in the dark, but Braille made it more efficient and accessible. Over time, the system spread worldwide and was adapted for various languages and uses. Today, Braille is used in books, signage, and devices, helping to empower blind individuals and integrate them more fully into society.
Why is Braille Signage Important?
For businesses, incorporating Braille signage is an essential step toward inclusivity and accessibility. It ensures that blind and visually impaired customers or employees can navigate spaces independently, access important information, and feel welcome. Braille signage can include everything from room numbers and restroom labels to elevator buttons and directional signs. By providing these accommodations, businesses not only comply with accessibility laws but also demonstrate a commitment to serving all customers equitably, enhancing their reputation and fostering a more inclusive environment.
The Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) 1995 states that UK service providers have a duty to reasonably change their provision to be as inclusive as possible for all members of society. Within this act, businesses should consider the inclusivity of their signage and whether their systems can be modified to accommodate disability within their facility.
What is DDA Compliance?
Here at Morgans Consult, we have full capability in designing and manufacturing a range of DDA compliant signage that caters to the visually impaired. We can use a range of materials, colours and styles to match your existing branding while also remaining compliant, working alongside you to create an effective signage system that is tailored for your business.
To be DDA compliant, design elements to consider include:
Finish – Compliant signs must be made with a non-reflective matte substrate that reduces glare. All tactile letteringand Braille dots should be domed and not sharp.
Placement – All information should left-aligned on signs. Braille must be placed directly underneath the tactile lettering, with a raised semi-circle at the left-hand edge to indicate the start of the information.
Consistency – All signs need to follow the same design and general placement, as this provides a consistent look that is easier to follow. A common height and distance from items such as doorframes must be adhered to for consistency.
Colour – DDA signs must include text in a colour that contrasts significantly with its background to allow for increased legibility. The colour of the sign must also contrast with the colour of the wall or backdrop that the sign is mounted to, in order to ensure clarity.
Text – Simple fonts should be used in a combination of upper- and lower-case text. Commonly recognised symbols should be used wherever possible alongside easily read text. The space between characters should be increased by roughly 25%, but both sides of the character should be felt with a single press.
Our expert team can create a full and effective wayfinding signage system for your business that incorporates braille signs and tactile signs, ensuring that all visitors have a smooth experience when inside your premises. Our knowledge in DDA signage ensures that your signage system will be compliant for all partially sighted visitors while incorporating your specific branding.
Contact us today to find out more about our expertise in all-access and DDA compliant solutions.
