Braille Signage

Braille is a way of representing text with a series of raised dots which therefore allows visually impaired people to read with their fingers.

The six dots that make up Braille allow for 63 possible combinations, which translate into the letters of the alphabet, numbers, punctuation symbols and certain common words.
There are two grades of Braille:

Grade 1 is a letter for letter transcription of text. It is the first Braille people learn and is readable therefore by all Braille users.

Grade 2 uses contractions and combinations to in effect abbreviate commons words such as "it", "and", "of" and so on.

As Grade 1 is readable by all Braille users, we utilise Grade 1 Braille in order to ensure that all visually impaired persons can interpret Pictobraille.

Signs including symbols, numbering and lettering must be designed and installed as follows:

1. Signs must be located not less than 1200mm and not higher than 1600mm above the floor or ground surface.

2. Signs with single lines of characters must have the line of tactile characters not less than 1250mm and not higher than 1350mm above the floor or ground surface.

3. Signs identifying rooms containing features or facilities listed must be located;

a. On the wall on the latch side of the door with the leading edge of the sign located between 50mm and 300mm from the architrave; and

b. In the event of insufficient latch side dimension, a sign may be placed on the non-latch side of the door; and

c. Where (a) or (b) is not possible, the sign may be placed on the door itself.

4. Signs identifying paths of travel must be placed so they are located directly ahead in the direction of travel. Where one wall continues in the direction of travel and the other forms a corner, the sign must be placed on the continuing wall.