Effective signs make life easier for everyone. That’s ultimately why every business needs great signage; simple, functional signs command attention, give your business a custom look, and help everyone who walks through your doors feel comfortable and welcome.
Braille signage is particularly important for folks who live with impaired or lost vision. Without the assistance of ADA-compliant Braille signs, the blind cannot navigate your business independently. Adaptive Signage helps your business make a good first impression on all who visit your business with attractive Braille signs in Westchester County. When you’ve placed our Braille signs throughout your business, you’ll look—and feel—good to everybody.
Braille Signage Basics
Braille is a written language formed by raised dots organized in cells. Each cell, and the dot pattern therein, represents a single letter or combination of letters. Blind people read by using their fingers to feel the dots. This tactile reading method was developed in 1829 by Frenchman Louis Braille and is used around the world today to accommodate people with vision loss.
Braille signage refers to directional and information signs posted throughout a business that feature Braille language in addition to regular, 2-dimensional written words. Two issues are critical to effective Braille signage. First, the Braille itself must be easily legible and conform to strict guidelines regarding the size and configuration of the raised dots. And second, the signs must be placed so they can be easily located by folks who can’t see them. For example, ADA-compliant signs are hung to the right of the latch side of a single door about 48-60 inches from the floor. By adhering to standard guidelines for creating and placing signs, our blind friends can find the bathrooms, use the elevators, locate their hotel rooms and generally navigate through their lives with as much comfort and ease as possible.
Why Your Business Needs ADA-Compliant Braille Signage
Blind people deserve our best efforts to give them safe and independent lives, and Braille signage is one tool we can use to help them. Here’s a brief sampling of the many ways Braille signs in your business might make life easier for your blind clients, customers, and neighbors:
- Elevator buttons. Today’s elevators rarely come with human operators, and it’s not unusual to ride alone. With the help of Braille signage on the buttons, the visually impaired can operate the elevator buttons with confidence.
- Doors. Push or pull? Braille signage on the handle tells the user which is which. Braille signs near doors also provide critical information; for example, users will know if it’s the men’s room or the women’s room, which hotel room they’ve found, and whether or not they’ve located the correct conference room for their meeting. Braille signage near doors means no one needs to go through a door without knowing exactly where they’re going.
- Directions and Information. Braille should be included in signs that provide directions or that give information about navigating your business. For example, Braille should be present on signs pointing towards exits or giving information about accessibility in your building. If you have a question about which signs need to include Braille, talk to the experts at Adaptive Signage. We understand the ADA guidelines and will help you get the signs you need.
The Bottom Line
Make Braille the bottom line on your business signs. Adaptive Signage is here to help with all custom signage in Westchester County, NY, including Braille. The value of inclusivity cannot be overstated. Help every one of every ability feel welcome and comfortable in your business with Adaptive Signage. Contact us today to get started.