Braille and Tactile Signs

Accessibility is vital, by law all government buildings, educational establishments, public transport, and recreational facilities have to be made accessible to members of the public. There are mandatory laws to govern the use of signage for example the Disability Discrimination Act. It is essential for you to make sure that your business is compliant with the Disability Discrimination Acts legislation which states that businesses must make 'reasonable adjustments' to their premises, in order to overcome any potential barriers to an individuals access.

Although it is not a legal requirement to have braille and tactile signs any information which you need to convey to your clients and customers has to be suitable for those who have a visual impairment, braille and tactile signs are an extremely positive way for your business to comply with the legal requirements governed by The Disability Discrimination Act (DDA).

Tactile signs convey a message through the use of symbols and raised letters, they are designed to be highly visible using a sharp contrast between the colour of the background and foreground. A typical example of this is a white symbol / text on a royal blue background, however DDA outline suitable combinations in their guidelines.

Symbols can be raised up from the surface of the sign which allows users to trace the outline of the symbol with their fingers if necessary. Signs can additionally include braille which enables those who are blind or visually impaired to read and understand them too.

There are a number of visually impaired people worldwide who are reliant on braille and tactile signs on a daily basis to assist them to navigate their way around buildings and public facilities on their own. Those whose first language is not English and people with disabilities also rely on signs which utilise easily understood graphical symbols to assist them.

Signs situated in public areas need to accommodate these particular groups as well as members of the general public who rely on the placement of clear visual signs to assist them in getting from one place to another. The type of essential signs we all typically rely on regularly would include: warning signs, safety signs, fire exit signs and a whole range of general signs and symbols such as signage directing users to toilet facilities or to refreshment areas.

Braille and tactile signs are becoming increasingly widespread in both public areas and commercial premises due to increasing awareness about individuals with disabilities. If you are responsible for taking care of the mandatory signage on your business premises it is well worth considering the use of braille and tactile signage at an early stage.

Thoughtful use of signage would give you the opportunity to convey a positive message about your business and totally fulfil the needs of your clients at little extra cost to your business at the same time as ensuring that your business and premises are fully compliant with the mandatory laws governing signage.

Braille, tactile and other DDA compliant signs can easily be ordered online and it is very likely that there are also a number of companies local to your area who specialise in the design, manufacture and installation of braille and tactile signage.

Tactile Signs offer a huge range of DDA compliant tactile and braille signs that can be ordered via our online shop. Select from our extensive range of stock signs or create customs signs to suit your exact needs.