Peripheral Image Enhanced

Peripheral Image Enhanced (PIE) accessible signage

PIE is a combined visual and tactile signage system. It simply but effectively meets the requirements of the UK Governments' Disability Discrimination Act (DDA). That is, to provide equally visual and tactile signage in a public building for everyone needing it.

The information that people most need to be sure about to avoid embarrassment is the sign identifying the correct door to a public toilet. It is essential to use a type of sign to achieve the highest possible recognition. PIE in its simple form is designed to address this need. Three outer shapes are linked to the three British Standards (BSI) Standard symbols to identify the appropriate toilet door: The male symbol within a square, the female symbol within a circle and the adapted access symbol within a squircle. (See these three signs at the foot of the ‘home page’.) These are dedicated location signs. A forth shape in the form of an octagon is used within which other location symbols are placed.

The addition of a fifth shape in the form of a diamond, similar to the PIE logo at the head of this page, is planned to be introduced as a dedicated directional wayfinding signage system, distinct from the four location signs.

The facing edge of the five PIE shapes is further enhanced by a pyramid-like multi-segment tactile sculpture. Together with the outer shape, this provides an unequivocal one-touch tactile recognition of the PIE sign. The sculpture also adds a further visual embellishment.

The advantages of the PIE system are:

  • Fully sighted people are able to identify the sign in the normal way from the symbol, without being aware that it is within a specific shaped image
  • Visually impaired people would see the peripheral image before being close enough to recognise the inner symbol. They would have the advantage of identifying the outer image from a much greater distance.
  • Totally blind and nearly blind people have a much better chance of identifying the sign from its shape - either by touch or sight - once they understand the meaning of the shapes.

There are some 2 million people with a significant sight loss in the UK. 97% of blind people who are unable to read Braille will find PIE signage more useful than the current signs being introduced to comply with the DDA.

The following list shows the levels of visual disability in the UK:

  • Population of the UK - 60 million
  • Number of people with a recognised visual disability - 2 million - 3.4%
  • Approximate number of blind people - 0.5 million
  • Approximate number of partially sighted people - 1.5 million
  • Approximate number of registered blind people able to read Braille - 15,000 - 3.0%
  • The benefit of Braille in signage to the 1.5 million partially sighted population - Almost nil
  • Less than 1% of the visually impaired population can be said to benefit from the current use of the addition of words in Braille and print.

Current solutions

Accessible signage adds words below Standard BSI symbols, with Braille below this. These signs are being introduced to comply with the DDA. For some people, the 'crowded' signs can be more difficult to identify by sight than many of the signs they are replacing. The wording under the symbol is of little benefit as the symbol is easier to see from a greater distance than the smaller print beneath it.

Braille is difficult to produce on signage. For the small percentage of blind people who have the skill to read it, it is perfect for reading and writing when suitably positioned. To introduce Braille as a means of signage information in the open environment is costly and of little benefit. The major problem is that it cannot be enlarged in the same way as print, because it has to remain in its recognisable form that can be felt by one finger. The Sign Design Guide, used as the best practice manual, shows what was currently available.

Summing up

  1. Based on figures provided above, it is clear that current Signage solutions for Blind and Partially Sighted people are not effective when provided with Braille for recognition by touch, as only a tiny proportion of users will benefit.
  2. The view that Braille users should not be neglected even though they are only a small number needs to be put into perspective. Whereas the printed word is improved upon by the use of colour, pictures and symbols, Braille is not.
  3. In visual signage, symbols are regularly used instead of text and there is leading research by Dr Chris Abbott, Senior Lecturer in ICT Education, Kings College London, to prove that icons make a far greater impact on a much larger number of people than words in giving information. They overcome the barriers of language and understanding. PIE Signage is designed to achieve this picture-symbol method in an equal visual-tactile format.
  4. Any Signage solution that complies with the DDA must also be obvious to fully sighted members of the public so that one version of signs can be used to satisfy all groups.
  5. From a commercial perspective, organisations looking for Signage solutions need to know that the cost is economical in terms of initial purchase and installation and long-term sustainability. Customer satisfaction is maintained and improved and compliance to the DDA and other regulations is adhered to now and for the long term. Unless these criteria are met, organisations and businesses will be unlikely to invest in a signage solution to benefit all groups within society.
  6. Currently, there is a lack of consistency in standards and formats between key organisations in the UK and within Europe. It is confusing for organisations and businesses to choose the best way forward to achieve Signage compliance. As more of us travel frequently between different countries, there must be a strong element of Signage standardisation to help us orientate effectively.
  7. It is easy for architects and designers to accept and use the three PIE signs to public toilets. This area is often neglected in otherwise themed signage installations, where toilet signs are often the smallest standard signs.

Moving PIE Forward

PIE is at the stage where it needs to be independently evaluated against existing methods and other options. In any analysis, it is important to see PIE as a distinct layer of exclusively symbol structured signage. The concept is similar to the symbol traffic signs displayed in a circle or triangle outer shape to provide instant information to the motorist. In the same way, PIE provides a standard of symbol signage within public buildings to provide instant information as a layer of signage that is achievable. This is separate from signs where information in text is necessary.

John T Slade 2004
United Kingdom patent No. GB2429326

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