Understanding Braille

What is Braille?

Braille is a tactile writing and reading system that uses raised dots to represent letters, numbers, punctuation, and common word combinations. It was developed in the early 1800's by Louis Braille who had lost his vision as a child.


Each braille character, or "cell," is formed using up to six dots arranged in a two-column, three-row grid.

The two main forms of braille are Grade 1 Braille and Grade 2 Braille.

Grade 1 vs Grade 2 Braille

Grade 1 Braille: Also known as uncontracted braille, it spells out every word by letter and punctuation marks like question marks, commas, and periods.

Grade 2 Braille: uses contractions and abbreviations for common words and letter patterns, making it more compact and efficient to read.

Understanding Accessibility Standards (ADA, AODA, CSA B651)

Accessibility signage requirements vary depending on where you're located, and understanding which standards apply to your space is an important first step in choosing the right signage.

ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act)
The ADA is U.S. federal legislation that sets accessibility requirements for public accommodations, employment, and government services across the United States, including detailed technical specifications for signage such as character height, braille placement, and mounting location.

AODA (Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act)
The AODA applies specifically to the province of Ontario, with a goal of making Ontario fully accessible. It covers a broad range of accessibility requirements, including standards for the built environment, which informs signage and wayfinding within Ontario buildings and public spaces.

CSA B651
CSA B651 is a Canadian national standard developed by the Canadian Standards Association, outlining technical accessibility requirements for the built environment, including detailed specifications for tactile and braille signage. It's widely referenced across Canada as a benchmark for accessible design, including in jurisdictions outside Ontario.

Why This Matters

Requirements can differ by country, province, building type, and jurisdiction, it's important to confirm which standards apply to your specific space before ordering signage.

Where are accessible signs needed?

Any space or feature within a building that normally has a printed sign should also be marked with an accessible sign. This includes:

  • Washrooms
  • Room identification (office numbers, meeting rooms, classrooms)
  • Exits and stairwells
  • Elevators and escalators
  • Entrances
  • Directories and wayfinding points (building maps, floor indicators)

    Note: These examples are provided for illustrative purposes and may not reflect every applicable location.

CSA/ASC B651 and AODA Braille Signage Technical Specifications

General Accessible Signage Guidelines:

  • Signs should be placed in areas that allow for good lighting with colour contrast.
  • All signs in the same location should have the same placement, colour, and shape
  • Braille, print and pictograms should be included on the same sign, when possible.
  • Print language and braille should be the same language.
  • Print language and braille should contain the same information.
  • Place signs at a consistent location in throughout the building.
  • Signs should be placed in a logical location, as close as possible to the feature or space they identify.

Tactile Sign Guidelines

  • For braille signs of 10 words or fewer, use uncontracted braille and contracted on signs containing 10 words or more.
  • For English text, use Unified English braille.
  • For French text, use uncontracted braille.
  • For floor directories, use uncontracted braille.
  • When braille is provided on a separate sign, the plate may be mounted lower, with its bottom edge positioned at 1350mm from the finished floor.

Braille Dot Specifications:

  • Dots must be domed (not pointy)
  • Dot base diameter: 1.5mm–1.6mm
  • Dot height: 0.6mm–0.9mm
  • Distance between two dots within the same cell: 2.3mm–2.5mm
  • Distance between corresponding dots in adjacent cells (horizontal): 6.1mm–7.6mm
  • Distance between corresponding dots in the cell directly below (vertical): 10mm–10.2mm
  • Minimum separation from other tactile characters: 9.5mm
  • Minimum separation from raised borders and decorative elements: 9.5mm

    Where To Mount Signs:
  • Door signs: Mount it on the wall next to the latch side of the door (not the hinge side).
  • Distance from door: The edge of the sign closest to the door should sit 150 mm (± 10 mm) from the door frame.
  • No wall space, or double doors: Mount the sign on the nearest wall instead.
  • Clear approach: Someone should be able to walk right up to the sign within 100 mm without hitting anything sticking out or standing in the path of a swinging door.
  • Height: Center the sign 1500 mm (± 25 mm) up from the floor.
  • Clear space around the sign: Leave at least 75 mm of open wall space around it. No other signs, fixtures, or decorations crowding it.

Sources:

https://aoda.ca/accessible-signage-in-buildings/

https://www.brailleliteracycanada.ca/en/braille

https://accessible.canada.ca/standards-and-technical-guides/standards-and-technical-guides-database/can-asc-24-wayfinding-and-signage/12-signage

https://accessible.canada.ca/standards-and-technical-guides/standards-and-technical-guides-database/csa-asc-b651-accessible-design-built-environment