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Unified English Braille is the official braille code for usage in Australia. Grade 1 (uncontracted) is used for signage in Australia. It is a one-to-one representation of letters without the use of contractions.

When checking if a braille and tactile sign complies with the Building Code of Australia Clause & Specification D3.6, Disability Access to Premises Standard and Australian Standard AS1428.1 Design for access and mobility – General requirements for access – New building work, the following are the key items that need to be checked. Tactile characters must be raised or embossed to a height of not less than 1mm and not more than 1.5mm. Upper case tactile characters must have a height of not less than 15mm and not more than 55mm. Lower case tactile characters must have a height of 50% of the...

It is highlighted that not all braille and tactile signs are the manufactured the same way. The signage industry both here and overseas is full of manufacturers who use inferior production methods and materials to produce poor quality braille and tactile signs. This results in poor quality signs entering the Australian market due to the cost saving factors they offer to those who purchase them. It is important that clients understand the unforeseen replacement costs that may arise when they fail. In many cases clients choosing cheaper products risk their signs being non-compliant to relevant standards or codes.  Below is an example of an inferior sign: When...

City of Sydney Council is one of the first local government councils to install the braille and tactile street signs, helping people who are blind or have low vision to navigate around the Sydney CBD. The braille and tactile signs have been installed at signalised pedestrian crossings within the city, next to the push button detailing the street name or building number. The installation of the braille and tactile signs is part of the council's new accessible way finding system that also includes pedestrian-friendly maps, information pylons, signs and digital technology. The council has been assisted by Guide Dogs NSW/ACT and Vision Australia in the implementation of...