Signage & exhibition graphics

Directional signage

Signs providing directions, such as directional signs, directories, or maps, are only required to provide visual messaging. Designers should consider eye-level and viewing distance when determining mounting height. Overhead and flag-mounted signage should not be lower than 2 metres from the floor. 

Identification signage

Floor level identification

In multi-level facilities, people need to be able to easily orient themselves within the vertical structure of the space. Floor levels need to be indicated at the entrances to both elevators and stairs.

• Elevators. Floor level identification must be provided on both sides of the elevator entrance in Braille and raised text with a minimum cap-height of 50 mm.
• Stairs. In Ontario, floor level identification must be provided at the stairwell entrance using raised text with a cap-height of 60 mm. While most jurisdictions do not require Braille for this application, it is highly recommended in order to provide accessibility and consistency to all floor level identifiers.

Room identification

All permanent rooms must be identified with raised lettering and Braille. Non-permanent information about the room may be communicated visually without tactile messaging. For instance, the room number of an office would be considered permanent information, while the person occupying the office would not.

• Numeric Sequencing. If rooms are identified with numbers in the tactile messaging, this numeric sequence should be logical and easily understood.
• Placement. Room identification signs must be placed on the wall adjacent to the latch side of doors.
• Pictograms. When a pictogram is used to identify the function of a room, tactile messaging is also required.

Exhibition graphics typically provide content-related or interpretive information for the user. When compared to wayfinding messaging, this type of information is longer, more complex, and requires much more time for users to read. People tend to read this type of information up close, particularly if artifacts are displayed or interactive activities are provided. This requires consideration for people with a wide range of body dimensions and physical needs, including the use of a cane or a wheelchair.

• Clearance. Information rails must provide a minimum knee clearance of 610 mm in height and 610 mm in depth.

• Protrusions. Any object protruding over 100mm from the wall requires cane detectable warnings.

Content related & interpretive information

Content related and interpretive information is typically read within 1 metre from an information rail, graphic panel, or wall. In order to accommodate this behaviour, design with the following considerations.

• Font Size. Text should have a minimum x-height of 5 mm.
• Vertical Placement. Text on a wall or graphic panel should be displayed between 1090 mm to 1700 mm from the floor.

Interactive items

Hands-on interactive items, such as flip panels, rotating drums, or other touchable objects, need to be placed in such a way as to be accessible to all users. These same considerations apply to touch screens, and the controls for any digital media.

• Forward Reach. Objects should be placed within a maximum forward reach distance of 635 mm.
• Side Reach. Objects should be placed within a maximum side reach distance of 254 mm.

• Vertical Reach. Objects should be placed within a distance of between 380 mm to 1220 mm from the floor.