Signage and Wayfinding Audits, Appraisals and Accessibility advice.
Why consider Access Signage and Wayfinding?
There is also a legal requirement to make signage accessible for all people regardless of their age, size and disability. For example in order to meet the requirements of Part M 2010 of the Building Regulations we need to ensure that suitable aids to communication are available for people with vision, hearing or mobility impairments.
Wayfinding refers to the techniques used by all users of the environment as they move from place to place independently and safely. Wayfinding relies on architectural elements to assist people in finding their way and should reassure users as they go on their journey through a building. Signage is a key component of a way finding system but is not the only thing that should be considered. At OHAC we believe that signage and wayfinding systems should be designed to cater for all members of society and that all people should be able to navigate their way through the built environment in all its forms. We also believe, a comprehensive way finding system should incorporate the following elements:
- Good pre visitor information.
- Building cues - i.e. using the architectural features of the building. For example locating directional signs at or before every major intersection, at major destinations.
- Changes in flooring materials to indicate that the individual is moving from one area into another.
- Changes in colour to identify major destinations.
- Good signage which is designed with accessibility in mind. For example signs should be as clear, short and concise as practicable; Text on signs should not be set entirely in capital letters. Visual signs should be designed with due consideration given to the height of sign, layout of sign, font size, font type, use of symbols and visual contrast with background, etc. For guidance on these elements of sign design refers to BS 8300:2009.
- Hand held maps and directory boards.
- “You are here” maps.
- Staff and volunteers. For example a number of hospitals in Ireland have volunteers on hand to provide assistance and support to patients and visitors.
- Use of technology – For example University College Cork recently launched an app that assists people with visual impairments.
How can we help?
We at O’Herlihy Access Consultancy (OHAC) understand the complexities of wayfinding in the built environment and consulting in this area is one of our core competencies. The key services we can provide in this area include:
- Identifying if the current system in place adequately communicates information to the users of the building and site. We have experience on property types ranging from Healthcare, Education, Commercial, Retail and Office Developments to Heritage, Culture, Hospitality and Leisure.
- Carrying out access audits and appraisals of the existing signage and wayfinding systems that are in place.
- Carrying out an access audit of proposed signage to ensure it will meet the meet the requirements of Part M (2010) of the Building Regulations
- Advising clients on how to meet the requirements of Part M of the building regulations and national/international best practice.
- Providing signage and wayfinding reports which include a detailed assessment of the current levels of accessibility within your existing signage and way finding systems. These reports also highlight the areas where a system is working efficiently and where there is a potential shortfall in the system.
- Assisting design teams and sign suppliers in the design of accessible wayfinding systems, signage, directory boards and mobility maps.
OHAC’s experience carrying out signage and wayfinding appraisals includes all property types ranging from Healthcare, Education, Commercial, Retail and Office Developments to Heritage, Culture, Hospitality and Leisure.
For further information please call us on 01-4151285 or e-mail [email protected]
