Blind to the Law: The Process of Testing Braille Signs for Compliance

This book provides a comprehensive guide to the process of testing for ISO certification, including standards, testing procedures, and common problems.They help public places and service institutions meet the technical specifications of Braille signs, such as the material and the spacing of the dots, so that they can pass certification reviews and create a truly barrier-free environment.

Why is it important to check braille signs?

Recently, while working on a project for a friend, I discovered that many people think that putting a raised dot on a label is all that is needed, and that they are surprised when the certification agency sends them back to make changes.In fact, the ISO standard requires braille signage to be precise to the millimeter, with specifications for everything from the height of the dots to the background color.We can't just look at the surface when we do our tests.

Preparations before the test.

Confirm that the standard version is appropriate.

There is no need to rush to test. Last year, the ISO 23599 standard was updated to allow the space between numbers to be widened from 2.5 mm to 3 mm.We've encountered organizations that have taken a copy of the old checklist and gone through the motions, but without actually doing anything.

Prepare a testing kit.

Besides a vernier caliper, it's recommended that you also carry a portable illuminance meter.In some places, the lighting is too dim, so even if the number of seats meets the standard, visually impaired people can't tell the difference.We tested a certain area in a library and found the lighting was less than 200 lx. After adding some auxiliary lighting, the area passed.

Five key points of on-site testing.

Tactile recognition test.

To simulate the loss of tactile sensitivity, I put on a pair of cotton gloves and rapidly ran my fingers over the raised characters.If you can clearly discern the outline of each individual character, it indicates that the raised height has met the standard.One trick is to compare the edges of coins of different denominations. The one-yuan coin is close to the minimum standard.

Visual contrast test.

Don't just use a colorimeter to measure the values, but actually stand three meters away and see for yourself.When the product was tested at a hospital, the instrument indicated that the contrast ratio was within the acceptable range, but in fact it was impossible to see the reflective material under strong light.The problem was solved by using a matte base.

Adaptation to the environment.

They also pay special attention to signs in wet or outdoor areas, wiping them with a wet cloth 20 times and then checking for damage.We've seen signs for bathrooms that have fallen apart within two weeks, and now we recommend using PMMA, a material that is resistant to hydrolysis.

This kind of reform is very common.

If the height of the points is insufficient, don't rush to replace them; try to repair them with a spot repair adhesive.The last time we renovated the subway stations, we used ultraviolet resin to fill in the spots. The cost was 60 % less than replacing the entire sign.But be careful to make the edges smooth and rounded, so they don't cut your fingers.

Suggestions for maintenance.

I recommend that you do a self-examination once a month, and pay special attention to areas that you touch frequently.For instance, the buttons in elevators should be designed in two rows.For example, during a quarterly inspection, one shopping mall discovered that the main tactile paving guide signs had become illegible due to corrosion from cleaning agents. They replaced the signs in time to avoid failing their annual inspection.

Finally, I would like to remind everyone not to focus solely on the certificate of approval.The improvement suggestions in the comments section are often the focus of attention for the next review.For example, when we did another inspection for the Executive Yuan, we adjusted the location of the equipment based on the previous report's humidity and temperature suggestions, and we were able to get a three-year certification.