Braille signage is crucial for helping visually impaired community members navigate their environments. A lack of accessibility signage can inhibit their access to businesses, offices, education centres, government buildings, and transportation hubs. It’s a frustrating and confusing experience that is easily avoidable with the inclusion of proper Braille signs.
New Style Signs provides accessibility signage to Toronto businesses so your customers and employees feel welcome and at ease.
In this blog, we will be suggesting our top tips and best practices for effective Braille signage. To learn more, keep reading ahead.
9 Tips and Best Practices for Braille Signs
1. Understand Canadian guidelines for Braille signs
It’s essential to understand and follow Canada’s guidelines for Braille signs. After all, Canadian laws and regulations require businesses and organizations to provide accessible environments. The “Barrier-Free Design Standard” under the Canadian Human Rights Act outlines requirements for Braille signage within certain facilities.
Ultimately, Braille signage plays a fundamental role in creating spaces that are accessible to and inclusive of all Canadians.
You can find online resources detailing Canada’s Accessible Signage Guidelines on Braille Literacy Canada’s website. Here are a few key takeaways:
Placement:
- Signs should be replaced 1400-1600 mm from floor level since this is the optimum viewing height for people standing up and in wheelchairs.
- Place signs at a consistent height and location throughout the building.
- Signs should be placed near the door or object they are identifying.
Contrast:
- The sign should visually contrast with its background so low-vision people can quickly locate it.
- Signs should be printed on a non-reflective surface since a reflective glare will make the sign harder to read.
Layout:
- Text and Braille should be left aligned and set horizontally.
- Braille should appear at least 9.5 mm below the corresponding print.
Technical Specifications:
- Braille dots should be domed or rounded, not pointy or flat.
- Each dot should have a height of 0.6-0.9 mm and a spherical radius of 0.85-0.8 mm.
- Dots should be 2.3-2.5 mm apart when in the same cell.
- The distance between corresponding dots in adjacent cells should be 6.1-7.6 mm.
Readability by Sight:
- Use a simple sans-serif typeface with a uniform stroke width.
- Avoid using italics, stylized print, underlining, and block capitals.
Readability by Touch:
- Raised letters should have soft-shouldered edges.
- Letters should be raised by at least 1 mm with a letter height of 15-50 mm.
- Do not use engraved print letters.
2. Place Braille signs in all key areas
Braille signage is essential for many Canadians to navigate areas and find their destinations. Consequently, it is vital to place Braille signs in all key areas throughout your building.
Remember, all accessible signs have three functions: to communicate information, to give directions, and to identify a location. Including Braille on these signs means everyone receives the information needed for efficient and seamless navigation.
There are just a few of the locations that call for Braille signage:
- Washrooms and showers
- Elevators
- Number plates for floor levels and rooms
- Emergency doors and exits
- Floor and building directors
- Bus stop and train platform numbers
3. Opt for PETG Braille signage
PETG stands for Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycol. It performs exceptionally well as a material for Braille signage. The reason is that PETG is highly durable, resistant to impact, and contains a UV inhibitor that helps to prevent light contamination. Simply put, it’s a highly resilient and long-lasting material that remains in good condition over time.
Additionally, PETG is relatively easy to work with, which allows for precise engraving and embossing of Braille characters. It also meets other regulatory standards for Braille signage.
4. Clear separation between elements on Braille signs
The characters and other elements on Braille and low visibility signage must be adequately spaced. All dots should be raised to the correct height (0.6-0.9 mm) and spaced correctly (2.3-2.5 mm apart). This factor is critical for users to distinguish characters by touch.
For complete specifications for Braille spacing, see Braille Literacy Canada’s Accessible Signage Guidelines.
5. Use Unified English Braille on all signs
The standard for Braille in Canada is Unified English Braille (UEB). UEB is a recent, modernized standard designed to simplify Braille without compromising readability and clarity. It includes simplified and consistent contractions and abbreviations.
When designing your Braille signage in Canada, set your translation software to Unified English Braille.
6. Know when to use contracted uncontracted Braille
Braille signs of 10 words or fewer, French text, and floor directories should use uncontracted Braille.
Contracted braille is for signs detailing emergency evacuation instructions in 10 words or more.
Always ensure that contracted Braille still follows Unified English Braille rules.
7. High contrast between the characters and the background
Braille accessibility signs aren’t just for people who are blind. They are also fundamentally important for those with low vision. Consequently, it’s necessary to consider readability by sight when designing these signs.
The sign itself should stand out in the environment and be non-reflective. The sign background should also always contrast with the print for easy readability. Refrain from printing information over pictures or patterns.
8. Braille characters should be resistant to wear
The more durable a sign is, the longer it will last. This is as true for the Braille characters as it is for the sign itself.
Companies must raise Braille characters off the sign’s background to be legible. It should be easy for users to distinguish each dot. If the characters wear down, reading the message becomes more difficult. Therefore, choosing a long-lasting and durable material for the Braille characters is essential. Characters that are resistant to wear will be readable for longer.
9. Don’t forget about regular maintenance!
Regular maintenance is vital for all signs–particularly Braille signs. When a sign shows wear and tear, replace it promptly to maintain legibility and ensure that Braille users can access critical information. You should avoid using cardboard or adhesive Braille labels since they can be pulled off easily or fade with time.
In Need of Braille Signs in Toronto? Contact New Style Signs Today!
With over 50 years of experience serving the Greater Toronto Area, New Style Signs is ready to help with all your signage needs. We manufacture and install Braille signs for businesses of all sizes. Contact us today to learn more.
To learn more about Braille signs in Toronto, call New Style Signs at 866-591-6938 or contact us here.
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