How To Make Your Business Signs Accessible For Visually Impaired Customers
Designing signs for your business can be fun and give it a professional, well-branded feel, but it's important to consider whether your sign is accessible for visually impaired people. The simple tips below will help you to create signs that are attractive and accessible.
Consider Adding Braille To Your Signs
The simplest way to make your signs accessible to visually impaired people is to use Braille signs. You could get separate Braille signs made, or you could have a Braille translation printed below the existing text. As the Australian Braille Authority explains, Braille is a tactical language based on a matrix of rows and columns and is the primary way that some visually impaired people read. The association also lays out guidelines for companies wanting to use Braille. Having Braille signs makes your signs accessible to those with very low vision, especially those who do not have someone to read signs to them. Speak to your sign maker about getting customised Braille signs made.
Choose A Font Wisely
Some of your visually impaired customers will be able to read your signs if you put a little work into making them accessible. Many people don't think about whether their sign font is accessible, but it's important. Swirly, quirky or graffiti-style fonts might look cool, but they can be hard to read. Teaching Visually Impaired suggests some good fonts to use, including Arial and Verdana – essentially, the simpler the font, the better. They also explain that you should make sure the font is large enough and the line spacing is adequate. Your sign maker will be able to advise you on the best font options for accessibility.
Think About Your Color Palette
Additionally, a badly chosen colour palette on your sign may present problems for visually impaired customers. Make sure that your signs are high-contrast; for example, white text on a black background is much easier to read than yellow text on a green background. Speak to the professionals to figure out a way to keep your company's branding and theme while also being easy to read. You may also think about people who are colour blind or who don't see colours very well – Usabilla explains how some common colour schemes, like red and green or grey and blue, are very hard for some people to see.
By taking all aspects of sign creation into account and having Braille signs created as well as high-contrast, easy-to-read ones, you can reach the maximum amount of people possible, whatever their type or level of visual impairment.