Braille is a tactile reading system used by visually impaired people. It was originally introduced to simplify the learning process for those with limited vision and help them access the same information as everyone else. Over the years, the use of braille has expanded beyond the school setting. Signs and other public ways of relaying information normally make use of braille to enable those who cannot see to access the same information. There are, however, standards that your signs must meet for the local authorities to approve them for use. Here are the three essential standards.

Rule of the Surface

All braille tactile signs are required to be written on continuous surfaces. The construction of the signboard must be made in such a way that letters cannot be removed, and braille dots will not be picked off. The adhesive used must be good enough to resist picking. The surface of the boards is also required to have an ultramarine blue background. The sign itself should be white.

Contrast and Luminance

The other condition that the signs must fulfil is that there should be a 30 per cent contrast luminance between the sign and the background. The braille must be located at least 8 millimetres below any tactile text. The braille should be raised and domed to simplify the reading process. If the product has colours, they have to be on the reverse side. All signs must also include a braille locator to guide everyone to the exact location of the writing.

State of the Tactile Characters

As mentioned, the tactile characters are supposed to be raised and domed so they can be easy to touch and read. The recommended font is Sans Serif, and all words must start with a capital letter. The recommended text size should be between 15 millimetres and 55 millimetres. The signs meant for unisex facilities should indicate whether they are left-handed or right-handed. The RH and LH transfer refers to the location of the handrail in the toilet.

These are just a few basic standards that public signs for people with visual impairments should meet. It is crucial to note that people with disabilities undergo a lot of challenges while trying to assimilate into regular day to day life. It is, therefore, good to do the best possible to help them adjust and function in the environment. If you are putting signs up and aren't sure about the standards you are supposed to maintain, consult an expert in braille tactile signs. They will inspect your signs and recommend what should be modified or install new ones.