If you are about to open a retail or service facility that will be accessible to the public, then you have to accommodate everyone correctly, and especially for those with disabilities. When someone who is impaired decides to visit your new place, they need to be able to move around unimpeded so that they can access your toilets and the other facilities. You will, of course, need to identify various rooms within your new facility and will use well-designed signage for that purpose. As you may know, however, you also have to include signage that can be read by those with a visual impairment. What do you need to bear in mind when it comes to signs containing tactile Braille characters?
Strict Rules
Global standards have been laid down under ISO 7001, replicated within the Australian Standards. Broadly speaking, if you have signage that is in an elevated position, then you must also provide lower-level options that can be accessed by those who may be sitting in a wheelchair or who may have a visual impairment. This will allow every visitor, no matter their capability, to move to their desired location.
Conforming Signs
When building out your toilet facility, you will need to install the relevant signage in a very precise location. You can install it on the face of the door or immediately to the right of the door handle. These signs should contain instructions in Braille and tactile characters, together with internationally recognised symbols.
Careful Placement
The signs themselves need to be located between 1200 and 1600 mm above floor level and at least 50 mm away from the edge of the doorway. You will need to identify whether the toilet is left-hand or right-hand for those who are wheelchair-bound so they can determine if those facilities are suitable for them. In the case of right-hand toilets, the individual will need to use their right hand to reach the grab rail on the wall in order to transfer to the toilet seat.
Proper Preparation
Make sure that your installation crew are familiar with the very specific rules relating to accessible toilets, but also make sure that you choose a design shop with knowledge in this area. They will help to produce these and all your other Braille tactile signs at a high quality so that you always conform to international standards and run a facility that is as welcoming as possible to all concerned.
