DDA SIGNAGE GUIDELINES
The Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) came into force in the UK in 1995, giving disabled persons (not just wheelchair users) rights in employment, education, facilities and services.
On the 1st October 2004, all service providers will have had to have made reasonable adjustments to the physical features of their premises, which led to a number of public facilities becoming equipped with Braille and tactile signage and way finding systems to ensure user friendly access for disabled persons to their premises.
Signage is a key element, and a low cost one, compared with other adjustments, and fulfils the legal, practical and obligation to our fellow citizens.
Facilities and premises are required to display the international sign of disability shown here.
Choosing the right type of signage and where it is located is a key element of ensuring it is done correctly (legally and practical).
Tactile letters and numbers on signs should have a width-to-height ratio and the character height should be sized according to the viewing distance and height above ground from which they are to be read. They should be a minimum of 16mm in height but not more than 50mm. The type face should be a simple san serif or simple serif type and should be accompanied by grade 2 Braille. Letters and numbers must be raised 0.75mm, all text should be in upper and lower case. Should pictograms be used they must be accompanied by text either below or alongside the pictogram. The border of the pictogram should be a minimum of 150mm high.
When it comes to colour of the sign, the text must be in a contrasting colour ie light text on a dark background or dark text on a light background. These signs should be manufactured in a non-reflective material with no protruding screw fixings.
The location of the sign is equally important as the content of the sign. The mounting height of the sign should be 1525mm from the floor to the centre of the sign, for example, if you are identifying a room the sign should be located on the wall on the side where the door handle is, ensuring that there are not protruding objects or in the range of a swing door.
“Signs should form part of integrated communication scheme that gives clear directions, information and instructions for use of a building” according to BS8300:2001. SIGNAGE THAT COMPLIES WITH THE DDA is based on the guidelines shown in the Sign Design Guide and developed by the Joint Mobility Unit.
Sue Willman - Sales Manager
