Braille and tactile signs are provided for people who are blind or visually impaired around public and commercial buildings within the health, education, government, transport and commercial sectors, offering practical functionality to help them find their way around with a sense of independence, equality and dignity. Vision 2020 Australia estimates that of the approximately 575,000 people in Australia who are affected by blindness or vision impairment, over 66,000 of these people are blind. As this number is expected to increase due to an ageing population, it is increasingly important that Braille signage, including accessibility signs, male, female and unisex signs, exit signs and tactile maps are incorporated into sign systems, wayfinding plinths and directory boards.

All high-quality Braille signs comply with current Australian Standards AS1428, and there exists an extensive range of standard signs readily available to suit any requirement. The stock range of items can also be customized to suit variations in signage colour, size, shape, design or image placement. This option is less costly than fully customized signs, available as custom Braille sign supplies that are designed and fabricated to exact specifications including colour-matching and custom background patterns. Materials used for either standard or custom signs include polycarbonate and aluminium, with the options for an aluminium custom finish of either satin natural anodised, brushed silver or brushed gold.

Superior quality aluminium or custom polycarbonate signs are made with a continuous surface, which means there are no added-on Braille dots or text attached to the surface. This design feature eliminates any seams, helping to keep the sign surfaces hygienically clean and free of dirt, deterring bacterial growth and other contamination. This is a very important consideration, particularly for public health facilities such as hospitals, aged care and nursing homes, as well as high traffic areas within public transport or hospitality. Furthermore, the fully encapsulated, one-piece design allows the signs to withstand abrasive cleaning chemicals, provides protection against harsh weather and even stops vandalism as the add-ons on cheaper signage can be pulled off.

The continuous surface polycarbonate membrane is placed over the tactile Braille, graphics and text, fully embedding them into the sign itself. This adds durability and strength to the final product, preventing the colours and graphics from being scratched or washed off. The signs are also UV-resistant, making them suitable for both indoor and outdoor applications. Good quality standard or custom Braille and tactile signs are also lightweight and easy to install, offering cost-effective solutions for any Braille signage requirement, whether it's just a once-off sign or a complete set of signs.

Contact a local sign manufacturer to learn more about Braille tactile signs.

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