ANSWERS: 3
  • I dont know. I often wonder about braille instructions on the drive thru atm.
  • If you're legally blind but not completely blind, such signs may be helpful. You might be able to see well enough to make out the shape of a sign, but not well enough to make out what it says. So you use the braille to read the sign or confirm your reading of the sign. (this is just a guess. Good question, though!)
  • 1) "Will blind people find my Braille Signs? This is a very common question with a simple answer - yes, if you follow some simple, standard, guidelines for Braille and tactile signs. Please read on for a list of do’s and don’ts regarding Braille and tactile signage, and some important facts that will make your signs useful and fit for purpose: Don’t: Don’t have Braille on signs that nobody can reach! e.g. signs hanging from the ceiling. Don’t print Braille on signs - the Braille needs to be embossed (raised) so that users can feel the dots. Don’t have signs with tiny writing on. Don’t position signs randomly throughout the building - good, consistent, positioning is essential; and Don’t have signs that match the colour of the walls/doors they are on. Do: Use good contrast colour. Think about the size and type of font on your signs - use a large, clear, sans serif font. Think about the positioning, including height and location. Be consistent. Use good quality signs that are durable, so the Braille dots will not become damaged or squashed over time. In more detail the general rules are: Height It is essential that your signs are accessible to touch and that they are positioned at a consistent height around your building. (The exception to this is for signs which include a control element e.g. lifts or door entry systems.) Generally, signs should be positioned at a height of 1400mm from the floor to the bottom of the sign. Hanging signs, however, should be placed at a height of 2300mm from the floor to the bottom of the sign. Please note you may want to lower the height in certain circumstances such as if the signs are to be used in a young children’s play area or school. Position When fitting Braille signs, the consistency of their location is of paramount importance. A Braille sign is only useful if the intended user groups know where to find it. Door signs should be fitted to the wall adjacent to the door latch. Signs fitted to doors are useless if the door is left open. Toilet door signs can be fitted directly to the doors. Directional signs should be fitted to the wall preferably in a position that is visible from connected corridors. Signs which include a control element e.g. lift buttons or door entry systems should have Braille on or directly next to the controls. Colour The signs need to stand out clearly in their environment, so contrasting colours to their surroundings are also very important. Combinations such as black on white and yellow on navy blue are perfect! For example, if you have white walls or doors you would need dark signs with white or pale text/pictures. Alternatively, if you have dark walls or doors you would need a white/light coloured sign with dark text and pictures. Remember - most blind people actually do have some vision. Some may be able to see there is a sign, but not be able to read the text on it; others can see colour contrast or shadows. In all circumstances, whether it is the buttons in a lift; a sign on a toilet door; or a sign to let people know that smoking is illegal in the building, Braille signage and tactile signage can: Greatly enhance the independence of visually impaired people in education, work and leisure. Show your commitment to the Disability Discrimination Act, and its intentions. Enhance your organisations image to everyone - not just visually impaired people." Source: http://www.a2i.co.uk/newsletter0807.html 2) here an interesting meditation: "Although ropes and Braille signs may not be the best way to help blind persons enjoy nature and museums, often we may wish to use different methods of "looking" from those employed by sighted visitors. I well remember visiting a place called Living History Farms near Des Moines, Iowa, where I took my children when they were quite small. There were live animals and old machinery to show how farming was done in 1920, 1880, and 1840. I took advantage of the opportunity to look (with my hands) at steers, which were being used and cared for as oxen." Source: http://www.nfb.org/images/nfb/Publications/fr/fr10/Issue2/f100210.html 3) Further information: Communicating with blind and partially sighted people: http://www.rnib.org.uk/xpedio/groups/public/documents/PublicWebsite/public_method.hcsp

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