Tips for signage
Why accessible signage matters
Accessible signage is essential for creating inclusive spaces where everyone, including people with disabilities, can navigate safely and independently. Clear, inclusive signs make daily activities easier for people with disabilities, ensuring they feel safe, welcome, and valued in every space.
What makes signage accessible?
Accessible signs are designed to be clear, easy to read, and visible to everyone. Here are some key features of accessible signage:
- High contrast: use dark text on a light background or light text on a dark background. Black and white offer the best contrast, making signs easier to read for people with low vision.
- Font style and size: simple, sans-serif fonts like Arial are easier to read. Avoid using all capital letters or decorative fonts. For general signage, ensure the text size is large enough to be read from a distance. For example, a sign viewed from 4 metres away should have letters at least 12mm high.
- Braille and tactile features: signs for accessible toilets, emergency exits, and hearing augmentation spaces should include braille and raised tactile characters. These features help people who are blind or have low vision navigate independently.
- Consistent placement: place signs at a consistent height and location, such as next to doors or at eye level for both seated and standing individuals.
Examples of accessible signage
- Accessible toilets: signs with braille and tactile features placed on the wall next to the door handle.
- Emergency exits: clear, well-lit signs with high contrast and large text.
- Parking spaces: reserved parking signs with the international wheelchair symbol.
- Directional signs: arrows pointing to accessible entrances, bathrooms, or refuge points.