Meeting DDA requirements
by Sarah

We find many of our end user clients get very nervous about the DDA (Disabilities Discrimination Act) and signs (especially true for high profile public building projects and where large budgets are involved).  As we like to say “its not rocket science” so long as you follow a few simple rules:

Clear contrast between the fixing surface, sign background and graphics
Generally a darker background colour and white graphics provides the best legibility

The selection of an appropriate sans serif typeface
there is life beyond Helvetica ! there are a number of good typefaces to choose from and Picto can help with some ideas if you need them.  While sans serif typefaces are generally better, serif versions can also be used if the serifs are not too large.

Use of upper and lowercase letters
its proven that people read words by their shapes, not by reading each letter, setting messages in CAPITALS should therefore be avoided

Clear, unambiguous language that users can understand
my own preference is to keep messages positive where ever possible (avoiding lists of “do nots”) and to back these up with easily recognisable pictograms where appropriate

Type and pictograms set at an appropriate size in relation to reading distance and space
See our quick guide to type sizes at the bottom of this page — follow these and you can’t go wrong !.

Locate signs sensibly at key decision making points and at places where confusion might occur
We provide a sign planning service for many of our clients, either starting from scratch or developing up an initial brief.  I often find a fresh pair of eyes is  useful for all involved in a project which others may know inside out. Picto present this information in a schedule format, itemising each sign — the graphic information to be conveyed, including our suggestions for how the message is phrased, where it is to be located, how it  will be fixed and at what height.

Picto are committed to following guidelines set out in a publication called the Sign Design Guide, a British publication by the Joint Mobility Unit and the Sign Design Society to assist with providing inclusive signing schemes.  We find this reassures our clients that the advice we give will provide them with “DDA friendly” schemes.  From a creative point of view, we strive to provide unique solutions and far from being restrictive, the parameters set out in the Sign Design Guide help us to do this.  No two signing projects have to look the same, unless you want them to !

Quick guide to minimum type sizes

Where space allows, Picto work to the minimum sizes for type set out in the Sign Design Guide, a joint publication from the JMU and the Sign Design Society to assist with providing inclusive signing schemes.

		long distance reading eg building entrances - minimum character size 150mm cap height
		medium range reading signs in reception or information on directional signs - minimum character size 50mm cap height
		close-up reading wall mounted information or door signs - minimum character size 15mm cap height

pictograms
reproduced at a minimum height of 100mm