This section covers communications, whether visual, aural or tactile, and all exchange of information.
This chapter is divided into the following sections:
All communication systems shall be accessible by all people with a disability, including those with vision, hearing, mobility and intellectual impairments.
Good quality communication systems will benefit all people, and to an extent, those from non-English speaking backgrounds, especially in crowded areas.
A hearing augmentation system shall be provided to all venues complying with AS 1428.1 and 2 and SHHH (Self Help for Hard of Hearing Australia Inc) advice. A new Standard, AS 1428.5 Hearing Augmentation is being developed for inclusion in the National Disability Standard on Access to Premises.
A hearing augmentation system shall be provided in public areas so that people who are deaf/hearing impaired have equal participation in all activities. This shall include:
In addition to the permanent systems, at least one portable system shall be provided for use in other areas as required.
Signage using the international symbol for deafness shall indicate that a hearing augmentation system is provided.
Any scoreboard or video screen capable of displaying public announcements must be capable of supplementing the public address system.
All accessible telephones shall comply with AS 1428.2.
In order that public telephones are accessible by all members of the public at least one, and preferably the first phone, in every bank of telephones, shall be wheelchair accessible and include the following features:
To allow a wheelchair to be located side on to the accessible telephone, it shall be no closer than 300mm to an obstruction at the sides.
Accessible telephones shall be located adjacent to the accessible path of travel and shall minimise the ambient noise.
Accessible telephones shall be clearly identified by the international symbol including the TTY symbol.
Refer also to AS 1428.4 Tactile Indicators.
Lighting shall comply with AS 1428.2 and AS 1680.2.
A uniform level of light shall be provided along the main accessible pathways. This shall be glare-free with a minimum level of 50 lux at ground level.
The design and detailing of lighting shall eliminate glare, illuminate signage and highlight changes of level.
Illuminance levels shall be uniform and comply with the requirements for maintenance illumination in all internal circulation spaces including publicly accessible areas. A minimum illumination of 40 lux, uniformity of no less than 0.3 and an average maintained value of 120 lux shall be provided.
A graduated level of illumination shall be provided at building entries and exits to assist people with a vision impairment.
A minimum of 50 lux shall be provided outside the entry or exit.
Adequate focused lighting shall be provided in conference rooms, meeting rooms, auditoria and the like for sign language interpretation for people who are deaf or hearing impaired. Back lighting should be avoided as it makes the person speaking difficult to see.
All signage shall comply with AS 1428.2.
Braille and Tactile signage shall comply with specification D3.6 of the Building Code of Australia.
All signage shall be clear and legible and incorporate the appropriate international symbol. To assist legibility, international pictograms shall be used in addition to words.
Tactual signs shall be provided in key locations including:
Directional signs shall be provided at regular intervals but at least at every major change of direction where there is more than one path of travel.
The colour of signs and lettering shall be chosen to enhance the legibility of the signs and have a minimum 30% luminance contrast.
Recommended colour combinations are:
Font styles shall be simple, clear and easy to read, such as Helvetica. Sans serif fonts are preferred to serif fonts.
Backlit signage shall ensure there is no glare factor. Where signs are unable to be backlit, they are to be externally illuminated to a minimum average level of 50 lux.
All signs shall be of a non-reflective, non-glossy surface to avoid reflective glare and ensure readability.
Tactual signs shall repeat the primary signage and be mounted at a height of 1200 - 1600mm above the ground. Tactual signs shall use enlarged raised print and Braille, internationally recognised symbols, all in accordance with AS 2899.1.
Luminance contrast shall be a minimum of 30% with Braille signage integrated in each sign. Raised lettering shall comply with specification D3.6 of the BCA.
Clocks should be at least 1350mm in diameter, back lit, with a white opaque background. Hands and numerals should be formed in bold black characters for ease of reading.
All public domain egress signs shall clearly show the directions to public transport, venues and major destinations.
Tactual maps shall be provided at key points on the site.
At venues, tactual maps shall be provided at the main entry.
In the public domain, tactual maps shall be provided to give general orientation. This shall include access and egress points of all facilities and changes in direction.
Tactual maps shall provide sufficient data for vision-impaired persons to orientate to their viewing area and to locate support facilities and key areas.
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