Canada has accessible signage guidelines to help create barrier-free spaces for all Canadians. By including accessible directional signage in your building, you are not only following federal and provincial regulations but also showing visitors and staff that you care about their experiences and well-being. Accessible signage helps them navigate your building, get the information they need, and find evacuation routes in an emergency.
Obviously, clear directional signage is critically important. We recommend familiarizing yourself with the following best practices for accessible directional signage.
Top 9 Accessible Directional Signage Best Practices
Legibility must be top-of-mind whenever creating directional signage. After all, an illegible sign is an ineffective sign.
Directional signage (also known as wayfinding signage) exists to help us navigate our surroundings quickly and easily. Consequently, it needs to convey location-related information seamlessly.
The sign must be designed to be easy to read and placed in a visible location, like faraway directional signs. Furthermore, it should meet provincial accessibility guidelines to provide the best possible experience for those with disabilities.
When in doubt, Toronto businesses should refer to the Canadian Standards Association (CSA) and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Standards for Accessible Design.
1. Colour
Colour can be a useful tool for attracting attention, conveying importance, and creating contrast. For example, the colour red indicates urgent information needed during an emergency, such as an emergency exit.
However, your directional signage should not rely solely on the use of colour to communicate information. Many Canadians have colour vision deficiencies or low vision, so critical information could be missed. Instead, you should use colour in combination with other cues like symbols, shapes, and text.
2. Contrast
Contrast makes wayfinding signage legible and visible, especially for those with low-vision issues. In fact, both the Canadian Standards Association and ADA Standards for Accessible Design highlight the importance of a high level of contrast between the text and the background.
This is achieved by placing light characters on a dark background (or vice versa). Black and white provide the highest contrast, although other dark colours also work well with white.
3. Glare
Contrast is beneficial; however, glare is not. Signs that are high-glare are much harder to read. Consequently, directional signage should be printed on a non-reflective surface to prevent reflective glare. The CSA and ADA require signs to have a matte, eggshell, or other non-glare finish.
4. Typography
The typography needs to be easy to read. Thus, you should avoid fonts that are decorative, ornate, stylized, or too small. Instead, use fonts that are clear, simple, consistent, and appropriately sized. Ensure the size is large enough for the intended viewing distance and angle. Avoid using italics or underlines.
Additionally, the lettering should be easily defined with medium text weight and stroke widths for maximum legibility.
The CSA and ADA specify sans serif fonts like Arial, Helevica, and Trebuchet. In addition, the ADA requires uppercase letters, while the CSA recommends initial uppercase letters to help with word recognition.
5. Size
A wayfinding sign should be large enough to be easy to see and contain all necessary information without making font sizes illegible.
Remember, the typography should be large enough to be read from the intended viewing distance. Signs suspended from the ceiling should be larger than signs positioned at eye level to compensate for the different viewing distances.
6. Positioning
Where signs are positioned also has a huge impact on effectiveness and accessibility. Since the goal of directional signage is to guide visitors toward their desired destination, these signs need to be placed at critical intersections and at regular intervals on their route. Otherwise, confusion is almost inevitable.
Place signs at 1400-1600 mm from floor level to the bottom of the sign. This is the optimum viewing height for people standing up or in wheelchairs. Signs should be positioned at a consistent height and location throughout your building.
7. Raised text and braille
Your directional signage should include raised text and braille lettering for those with visual impairments. This is a crucial accessibility feature required by Canadian laws and regulations.
Unified English Braille (UEB) is standard in Canada. Braille dots should be domed or rounded, 0.6 to 0.9 mm in height, and 2.3 to 2.5 mm apart when in the same cell. Additionally, braille should be left aligned and placed at least 9.5 mm below the corresponding text. Raised letters should have soft-shouldered edges and be raised at least 1 mm.
Braille Literacy Canada has additional online resources detailing Canada’s Accessible Signage Guidelines on their website. Alternatively, you can read more about the best practices for braille signage in Canada here.
8. Multilingual
Depending on where your business is located, your directional signage may also need to include French. Multilingual design ensures accessibility for all of your visitors. They’ll be able to read and understand the sign’s information and, as a result, find their destination without confusion or hassle.
9. Durability
Durability has an impact on a sign’s legibility and, therefore, its accessibility. If your wayfinding signage has been poorly manufactured using low-quality materials, it will degrade faster. After all, a dilapidated sign with faded colours and worn-down lettering is much harder to read.
The Benefits of Accessible Directional Signage
- Better user experience: Effective and accessible directional signage makes it easier for visitors and staff to navigate your building, thus reducing stress and frustration.
- Enhanced safety: Directional signage indicates emergency exits, evacuation routes, and critical safety information. In a worst-case scenario, all visitors and staff must be able to reach safety quickly and without confusion. Therefore, signage must be accessible to all.
- Improved inclusivity: Everyone should feel welcome and at ease when visiting or working at your business. Directional signage plays an important part in this. It helps all individuals, including those with disabilities, navigate the space seamlessly.
- Avoid legal action: Canadian laws require businesses to create accessible spaces. Failing to comply with these regulations can lead to fines and lawsuits.
- Avoid negative PR: Failing to follow Canadian accessibility laws is also bad for your brand’s reputation. You want to be known as a business that welcomes all Canadians. Accessible signage shows that your brand cares about its staff and visitors.
Directional Signage From New Style Signs
New Style Signs is a wayfinding and directional signage company in Toronto. We manufacture high-quality signage that helps your staff and visitors navigate your building with ease. With more than 50 years of experience, we can also help you navigate the accessibility guidelines from the Canadian Standards Association and ADA.
To learn more about directional signage, call New Style Signs at 866-591-6938 or contact us here.
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