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Welcome to A2i's August 2007 Newsletter - Focus on accessibility

In this issue A2i offer their top tips on making your reception or waiting area more accessible without needing to spend much money! And some information on how to position signs so that blind people find them.

To help you implement some of these changes we have made a number of changes to our online shop to make it clearer and more user friendly - find more details below or go to http://shop.a2i.co.uk/

In this issue:


Top 20 tips - simple, low cost ways to make your reception more accessible

Many people wrongly believe that making a building accessible will cost a fortune. Although there are some elements that could be expensive to implement, A2i want to show you that there are a lot of changes that can be made for little or no outlay which can greatly improve accessibility...

The building approach and entrance

  • Allocate the parking spaces that are closest to the building, as disabled parking bays and make the necessary adaptations. See http://www.drc.org.uk/fair4all/achievingfairaccess/section-6/1/ for more information.
  • Keep paths clear of obstacles.
  • Provide handrails and resting places along pathways and give adequate turning space for wheelchair users or for people being escorted.
  • Check that all lights are working, and are evenly spaced. Lights should also be positioned to highlight paved areas, ramps, stairs, door entrances, door entry systems, and any obstacles.
  • If there are steps into the building ensure the edges are painted a contrasting colour (it would be best however to install a ramp).
  • If you have mats, make sure they are flat on the floor and do not pose a slip or trip hazard.
  • Have a touch glass alerter or similar door entry phone (the colour of the entry phone should contrast with surrounding walls).
  • Make sure doors are clearly distinguishable and colour-contrasted with the surroundings. The colour of handles should also contrast with the door and should be easy to grip.
  • Do not have too many stickers and notices in the door or windows, so that people can see through them easily.

Inside the reception

  • Do not have the reception desk too close to any windows or glass, and avoid bright back lighting as this can cause problems for people who
    lip-read.
  • Keep counters and desks free from clutter, and ensure at least part of the reception desk is a low level so wheelchair users can see over it. Also, make sure there is space under it so a person can comfortably sit in
    front of it.
  • Have a chair available by the reception desk for people who need to sit when talking to staff.
  • Have a customer care kit available, and a clipboard and paper. Always, provide an assortment of pens for someone with a mobility or dexterity impairment.
  • Make sure staff are properly trained in the use of any equipment that is available e.g. induction loops.
  • Do not play radios at the reception desk as this may interfere with loop systems, and make communication more difficult. Also, always ensure the room is well lit.
  • Have a variety of chair styles in the reception e.g. different heights, some with arms, and some without arms. Arrange furniture so that it faces the reception counter so people can see when staff are trying to get their attention.
  • Make sure there is plenty of space for people to manoeuvre in the waiting area and do not have sharp edges on low tables in the middle of the room
  • Make sure there is good colour contrast throughout e.g doors compared to walls, chairs compared to the floor.
  • Position display stands appropriately so they do not cause an obstruction, and have any printed information that is available in the reception transcribed to alternative formats.
  • Put up Braille signage and tactile signage, and indicate where important facilities are e.g the accessible toilet, fire exit etc. Please see the article below for more information about positioning your signs correctly.

Making these cost-effective changes will increase the accessibility of your services for a large proportion of the UK population - 11 million disabled people, older people and parents with young children. We will discuss additional changes that can be made in our September newsletter.

Please visit the A2i website for information regarding a range of accessibility products and transcription.

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.

Braille signage and tactile signage are available on A2i’s website. Go to our online shop to see our range of products and our prices.

We supply signs in a range of colours and materials.

Please note that, if the signs or signs you require are not on our site, we may still be able to get them for you.

We also make bespoke signs on request. Please just let us know your requirements and specifications.

A2i ShopNew Features on our Online Shop

We have made several improvements to our online shop, to make it easier to use, and quicker to find the information you want.

We hope you like the new features, but please let us know your comments, and also any other suggestions to improve the site further.

Some of our new features include...

  • A2i ShopA linked Shop image on every page of our site so that you can find it easily.
  • A search facility.
  • Product Reviews - you can now read reviews from other people who have bought the product, or write your own review.
  • More items on 1 page, and obvious sub-categories, so that you can find your required product much quicker.
  • A navigation bar at the top for all product categories.

We have also added an information bar on the right-hand side which includes easy links to all the information you might need:

Click here to have a look at one of our pages for yourself.

We hope you enjoy the new shopping experience at A2i!

A2i Transcription Services Ltd, 139a Whiteladies Road, Clifton, Bristol BS8 2NR.
Tel: 0117 970 7090   Email: info@a2i.co.uk  Web: www.a2i.co.uk
Registered in Cardiff No. 5391625. VAT Registration No. 821 9410 46

 
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A2i Transcription Services Ltd, 139a Whiteladies Road, Clifton, Bristol BS8 2NR.
Tel: 01179 70 70 90. Email: info@a2i.co.uk		 Bobby WorldWide Approved AAA