Signage and Wayfinding Design – Universal Design
Universal design declares your venue open to everybody.
Open for everyone
A declaration of respect for humanity
1 Equitable use
The design is useful and marketable to people with diverse abilities
2 Flexibility in use
The design accommodates a wide range of individual preferences and abilities
3 Simple and intuitive use
Use of the design is easy to understand, regardless of the users experience, knowledge, language skills or current concentration level
4 Perceptible information
The design communicates necessary information effectively to the user, regardless of ambient conditions or the users sensory abilities
5 Tolerance for error
The design minimises hazards and the adverse consequences of accidental or unintended actions
6 Low physical effort
The design can be used efficiently and comfortably with a minimum of fatigue
7 Size and space for approach and use
Appropriate size and space is provided for approach, reach, manipulation and use regardless of users body size, posture or mobility.
Compliance
DDA – AS 1428.1-2009 Design for access and mobility requirements for access New building work.
National Construction Code (NCC) 2011 BCA Volume One Specification D3.6 Braille and Tactile Signs
Implementing Universal Design
Touch
Tactile and braille messages for the visually impaired
Aural
Audio systems for public broadcasting and specialised messages for the visually impaired
Visual
Pictograms
Pictograms for functionally illiterate as well as foreign language speaking visitors
Lettering Height
Minimum letter heights for all messages in accordance with specified viewing distances
Contrast
Minimum luminance contrast of 30% between sign face colour and mounting surface, as well as minimum luminance contrast of 30% between graphic content and sign face colour.
Lighting
Lighting has a central role in the visibility and legibility of sign locations and public information. Collaboration and consultation with the lighting consultants is crucial for effective illumination of signage elements.
Where possible, signs should be purpose-lit rather than relying on ambient lighting.
Pictograms are a universal visual language
Audience Specific
Best practice Universal Design becomes more particular if the location’s purpose is a specialist facility such as a dementia village. When we focus on health and wellbeing outcomes, Universal Design becomes a template through which we can address specific needs.
Dementia Village Best Practice
To support people living with dementia wayfinding needs to:
be easily visible, with special attention to colour contrast due to changes in colour recognition.
use easily recognised symbols.
have simple wording only
be set in sentence case
be clear of other signs and information.
use bright, even light around signage to show the environment and the sign itself.
have direct lines of sight to clearly see, remember and identify.
mount signs mostly lower than normal, centred, 1.4m from floor.
employ personalisation to aid wayfinding and recognition particularly at their domicile.
“Accessibility is good for everybody ”