Provide clear information on your signage
- This should be simple, clear and short
- Identify your business, and say what is in the building
- Include a street number, a name, website and / or telephone contact
Make sure signs are easy to read
- Signs should not be on glass, behind glass or on reflective surfaces – it can make them more difficult to see
- Use simple and clear ‘sans serif’ letters that are not italicised or underlined (this font is ‘sans serif’,
this is not)
- Letters should be big enough to read from a distance
- Use a mix of lower and upper case lettering – this makes the text easier to recognise and therefore read
- Ensure there is a good visual contrast between the letters and your sign background.
Assistance signs
Make sure that all customers feel welcome and let them know assistance may be available. If you have an intercom – indicate which button calls staff members.
- Signs don’t have to be expensive, if you make your own, make sure that they are a good size, clear and easy to read.
Make it easy for all customers to approach your premises, including, stick users, wheelchair users, people with assistants or guide dogs.
Footpaths should be clear of obstructions:
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Unnecessary street furniture and clutter can be removed, such as, bins or A-boards
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Surfaces should be maintained so they are firm, smooth and even
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Gradients should be gentle – they are usually 1:20
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Footpaths should have clear kerbs, and visual and tactile markings
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Good lighting will provide added security
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Planting on footpaths should be managed so it is not overgrown and not getting in anyone’s way
Help and Advice
For help and advice about crossing points, drop off points and dropped kerbs near your business, all of which make it easier for disabled customers to visit your premises, you should
contact NIDirect by telephone 0300 200 7893.
You should then ask for:
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Article 80 – Lowering pavements
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Maintenance section – for broken or lowered pavements
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Parking bays – for accessible parking for disabled people.

Streets in Northern Ireland made it into the top ten worst* in the UK in terms of A-board barriers – advertising boards which block the pavements for everyone and create a safety risk, especially for people with visual impairments.
(*Source: Guide Dogs Street Clutter survey report)
Don’t block your customers – remove your A-boards and welcome more in.
Writing on the wall - Using signs fixed to building walls mean that A-boards don’t clutter the footpath. Flag signs attached to buildings higher up can be seen above crowds.
Clearly marked accessible bays with a vertical signpost at the end of the bay. Make sure markings and signs stay clearly visible and maintained over time Many disabled people drive or travel by car to get to where they need to go. Some may also cycle.
You need to provide:
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clear and visible signage which will direct people to your car park, and accessible bays for disabled customers – ground markings and a vertical signpost at the end of the parking bay will help identify the correct spaces
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a dropped kerb - from the parking bay to the footpath and your entrance
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accessible parking bays - 2.4m x 4.8m with additional 1.2m hatched access zone to the side and rear for safe access
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good management - these bays should be available to those who might need them most