FAQs

General information about accessible signage

What is accessible signage?

An accessible sign is one that everybody can read and understand, whether they read using sight or touch. An accessible sign should have:

• High colour-contrasted print which is raised on the surface of the sign plate.
• The equivalent text in braille.
• Raised pictures (pictograms) if appropriate, such as the traditional male and female figures on toilet doors. Pictograms alone are not enough, because not everybody understands visual information if presented alone. Always use text as well.

Download an example of a sign which complies with our guidelines (1MB, pdf). When printed or viewed in A4 size, it is actual size. 

Why is accessible signage so important?

Did you know that at least 11,500 people in New Zealand are blind or partially sighted, and that 125,000 New Zealanders over 40 have significant sight loss which impacts their ability to do everyday tasks such as reading? Any one of them could use your building at any time. They may not be accompanied by another person to help them.

The information conveyed by your signage is important to all your customers, including those with sight loss. Accessible signage says 'You are welcome!' And 'your safety matters.'

What kinds of things need accessible signage?

Any sign relating to a specific function or location in your building should have an accessible sign. This includes lifts, floor directories, emergency telephones, basic way finding information, room numbers and all rest room facilities (not just wheelchair accessible ones). We recommend that all bathroom facilities have accessible signage because blind and partially sighted people are able to use standard facilities too.

Signs containing a large amount of information such as menus, health posters, patient advice in clinics, and detailed operating instructions may be more effective if produced in a braille or large print booklet which can be given to the customer. This information could also be produced on a website or emailed to a customer on request.

Do accessible signs have to include tactile print?

We recommend including embossed high contrast print letters as well as braille so that more people can read your signs by touch.

Can signs contain engraved print?

No. Engraved print and images are very difficult to read by touch. Print and pictograms should always be raised from the surface of the sign plate. Please refer to the guidelines for details on height, size and contrast.

Durability

Can I make signage out of braille label stickers and laminated cardboard?

No, we do not recommend this in most instances. Signs made out of plastic, aluminium or stainless steel will be most durable and last a lifetime. They will withstand sun, water, grime, and can be easily cleaned. Braille label stickers and laminated cardboard can easily be removed or fall off, and will wrinkle and degrade very quickly. Laminated signs can also produce a lot of glare which is very difficult to see by those with certain eye conditions.

Placement

Where should I place my signage?

A blind or partially sighted person is more likely to find an accessible sign if it is near the object it refers to, or where the hand would normally be such as on or near a hand rail. The most important thing is to be consistent within your building or facility. Customers will learn where your signage is and will look for it in the same place. Also ensure signage is not obscured by plants or tables.

What height should my signage be at?

The general recommendation for height is 1400-1600 mm from the floor to the bottom of the sign plate. Please refer to the guidelines for specific heights.

Lifts

What accessible signage do I need in my lift?

Our guidelines recommend accessible signage be provided for all buttons in and outside the lift, as well as floor indicators.

Braille and tactile print signage should be to the left of the buttons. It tells the user which button to push to get to their desired floor. It also helps them locate emergency phones or alarms.

A floor level indicator should be placed on the architrave just outside the lift door. It tells a blind person what floor they have arrived on.

What about talking lifts?

These are indeed very helpful to many blind and partially sighted people. But they can be expensive to install, and without braille cannot be used by deafblind people. We recommend braille signage should be included in lifts, whether talking or not.

Can braille numbers be placed on the lift buttons?

No. NZ Standard 4121 and our guidelines both state that braille designations should be to the left of the buttons. Quite apart from this, if braille is placed on some smaller-sized buttons, the braille dots have to be squashed closer together in order to fit. These become impossible to read.

Why do we need floor level indicators?

Because they tell a blind person what floor they have arrived on. If another person calls the lift for an earlier floor, and then foregoes it, the blind person would not know they have arrived on an earlier floor than the one they requested.

Costs and compliance

How much will it cost?

The cost of accessible signage has decreased significantly in recent years. Several New Zealand owned companies now produce signage locally, and can give you a quote to retro-fit your building or facility. This is significantly cheaper than importing signage.

Why do we need separate guidelines from overseas?

Our guidelines reflect international best practice, as well as the views of blind, partially sighted and deafblind New Zealanders.

Are these guidelines laws?

No. The RNZFB Accessible Signage Guidelines represent best practice, and are not legally binding. If you follow them, you will ensure your blind, deafblind and partially sighted patrons can make full use of your building and its facilities.

The guidelines are based on NZS4121:2001 - Design for access and mobility: Buildings and associated facilities and greatly expand on the specifications in that Standard. NZS4121:2001 is part of the New Zealand building code, and following this standard represents compliance with that code. It contains directives on accessible signage in elevators and accessible toilets.

The New Zealand Transport Agency's Land Transport Rule, Operating Licensing 2007 (as amended in 2009) requires taxis to display certain information for passengers in braille. Read our fact sheet on braille signage in taxis.

Can I import my signage?

Yes, if the signage complies with these guidelines. However, not all braille codes or sizes are the same, and some imported signage will be impossible to read by New Zealanders. We encourage you to consider having your signage made locally if at all possible.

Which countries can I import signage from?

The RNZFB Accessible Signage Guidelines are most closely aligned with the Australian standards. Braille signage from the USA does not comply with the guidelines, because it is written in contracted braille. This is a short hand code used by experienced readers. Contracted braille cannot be read by newer braille learners, non-English speaking tourists and people with learning disabilities. All braille readers will be able to read uncontracted braille.

The size and spacing of braille dots in some countries also differs quite significantly from ours. Braille from Japan, Korea or Sweden may be of a smaller size, which is very difficult for New Zealanders to read because they are not used to it.

Does the RNZFB produce braille signage?

No. The RNZFB does not produce braille signage, but we can supply an image of the correctly-sized braille as a PDF upon request. Please call us for a quote on 04 355 6961 or email signage@rnzfb.org.nz

What companies produce good accessible signage?

These signage companies have worked with us in the past and can produce accessible signage. Please contact them to discuss your needs.