As South Africa embraced sign language as its 12th official language on 2 May 2023, the country took a significant step forward in the journey towards inclusion and accessibility for all. This important development has raised awareness around the necessity of inclusivity in many facets of society, including the often-overlooked area of signage.
While sign language benefits the hearing impaired, there’s an equally vital need for signage that caters to those who are visually impaired. This is where tactile and braille signage solutions come in—a service that Signarama proudly offers to promote inclusivity for all.
Why tactile and braille signage matters
Accessibility is a key component of an inclusive society. Public and private spaces need to be designed to accommodate everyone, regardless of physical abilities. For visually impaired individuals, navigating public spaces without clear, accessible signage can be incredibly challenging. Tactile and braille signs provide a solution, offering raised print, symbols, and braille that can be read by touch, allowing visually impaired people to understand and navigate spaces more easily.
Whether it’s entrances, exits, elevators, restrooms, or emergency information, the importance of accessible signage cannot be overstated. By integrating tactile and braille elements into signage, businesses can ensure that visually impaired individuals have equal access to the information they need, ultimately contributing to a more inclusive environment.
Tactile signage explained
Tactile signage is designed with raised elements, such as letters, numbers, or symbols, that can be read by touch. These signs provide essential information and guidance to visually impaired individuals, allowing them to understand their surroundings in a way that traditional flat signage cannot offer.
Tactile signs are often used in conjunction with braille, but they are also effective on their own for providing critical information. The raised elements allow users to identify locations and navigate spaces, whether it’s finding an exit, locating a restroom, or identifying a specific room in a building.
Braille signage explained
Braille signage goes a step further, incorporating the use of braille—the tactile writing system used by visually impaired individuals to read and write. By incorporating braille into signage, businesses can ensure that visually impaired customers and clients have equal access to important information, whether they are navigating a large office building, shopping mall, or public space.
Incorporating braille on signage is not only essential for accessibility but also a legal requirement in many countries. With the growing awareness of inclusivity, ensuring that your business meets these standards is more important than ever.
Where tactile and braille signage is essential
There are several key areas where tactile and braille signage is not only helpful but crucial. These include:
Entrances and exits
Clear signage indicating building entrances and exits ensures that visually impaired individuals can safely navigate their way in and out of spaces.
Restrooms
Accessible restrooms need to be clearly marked with tactile and braille signs, allowing users to locate them without difficulty.
Elevators and staircases
Safety is a top priority, and tactile signs help visually impaired individuals find their way to elevators or staircases with ease.
Room identification
Whether it’s a hotel, office building, or educational institution, clearly marked rooms with tactile and braille signage allow for easy navigation.
Emergency information
In the event of an emergency, accessible signage can make all the difference. Clear, tactile signage can guide visually impaired individuals to safety during critical situations.
The role of Signarama in promoting inclusivity
At Signarama, we are proud to be at the forefront of inclusive signage solutions. We understand the critical role that signage plays in helping visually impaired individuals navigate their surroundings safely and effectively. With the growing awareness brought by the inclusion of sign language as an official language, businesses are increasingly looking to embrace inclusivity in all aspects of their operations. One way to do this is by investing in tactile and braille signage that meets the needs of all customers.
Our team at Signarama specializes in crafting custom tactile and braille signs designed to make your space accessible to everyone. Whether you’re looking for signage for your business, public space, or educational institution, we can work with you to design a solution that speaks to inclusivity.
Why Signarama?
Signarama is committed to delivering signage solutions that meet the needs of modern businesses and public spaces. With our expertise in tactile and braille signage, we help businesses create accessible environments that serve everyone. We offer customizable options to meet your unique requirements, ensuring that your signage not only complies with accessibility standards but also complements the aesthetic of your brand.
As South Africa embraces the inclusion of sign language as an official language, there is a heightened awareness of the need for inclusivity in all aspects of daily life, including signage. By choosing tactile and braille signage from Signarama, you’re making a statement that your business cares about accessibility and the well-being of all its customers.
Let us help you make your space more inclusive and accessible with tactile and braille signage. Contact Signarama to discuss your signage needs and join us in promoting inclusivity for all.
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Johannesburg, South Africa 2062
012 285 0412
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