Architectural Symbols & Signs

What are Makaton Signs?

2009-03-25T10:12:00.003Z

We have produced signs in the past using Makaton Symbols for Mencap. Makaton uses signs and symbols to teach communication, language and literacy skills to people with communication and learning difficulties. I am about to go on another course to ensure the advice we give out is correct and up-to-date. If you have any requirements please get in touch: www.braille-signs.co.uk

Or if you want to find out more about Makaton please visit their website: www.makaton.org/

Back in Court again!

2009-03-25T09:50:00.003Z

We have just audited, manufactured and installed our tactile and Braille signs in four Magistrates' Courts c/o the facility management company "Atkins". We made the signs to fit into the existing architectual ironmongery, but of course ensured they were designed to be helpful to people who are blind or have visual impairments.

Talking lamposts!

2009-03-25T09:29:00.002Z

Did anybody hear the interesting programme on Radio 4's In-touch last night?

The programme looked at a scheme, piloted in Newcastle and now running in fourteen towns in the UK, called React.The scheme involves audio boxes that were located on lamposts and other areas, which relay recordered information about your location and gives directions as you pass by; it is triggered by a small plastic fob that you carry with you. The shows reporter followed a visually impaired first year university student around the town centre and the train station where the devices were located and she seemed really impressed. The boxes were reported as quite reliable, apart from the time when a lorry knocked one down and it went missing! For further information on React contact the RNIB: www.rnib.org.uk

New signs for Gloucester City Homes

2009-02-27T10:00:00.003Z

We were chosen as the preferred supplier by Gloucester City Homes" who are working in partnership with "Lovells - a facilities management and building company" to help them meet their obligations under the D.D.A.

We audited all of their 10 sites, produced a comprehensive listing, manufactured the signs and installed them four weeks ahead of schedule and on budget - if only everthing in life was this smooth!

Good news about sight saving drug?

2008-08-27T15:26:00.008+01:00

According to BBC NEWS today:

All patients in England suffering from a disease which causes blindness are to get access to a sight-saving drug.

Lucentis treats wet age-related macular degeneration, the leading cause of sight loss in the country. The drug is already available in Scotland, while Wales and Northern Ireland have said they will fund it.

The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) had originally said patients should wait until they went blind in one eye. The suggestion, made last summer, caused an outcry from campaigners and doctors, prompting a U-turn by the NHS advisory body in December.

The announcement confirms that draft recommendation and comes after a unique agreement between NICE and the drug's manufacturer, Novartis. Under the deal the NHS will only fund 14 injections, with the cost of any more being met by manufacturer Novartis in a scheme dubbed "dose capping".

Trusts now have three months to comply with the decision. But the process which has led to the recommendation has caused much controversy. With clinical trials showing impressive results, some primary care trusts (PCTs), which decide on funding on a local level in the NHS, have been paying for the treatment ahead of final NICE approval. This has prompted accusations of a postcode lottery in the NHS and led to legal action against PCTs which were not paying for it.
In one recent case, three Warwickshire pensioners ended up in the High Court, winning an out of court settlement last month.

Steve Winyard, head of campaigns at the Royal National Institute for the Blind, said: "We've been waiting for this for over two years. It is a victory for thousands, bringing overwhelming relief to desperate people across the country; "Finally the torment faced by elderly people forced to either spend their life savings on private treatment or go blind, is over."

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) comes in two forms - wet and dry - with the dry form being much more common. However, the wet type is more aggressive and is responsible for about 90% of blindness caused by the condition. Almost 20,000 people a year are diagnosed with wet AMD in England.

NICE chief executive Andrew Dillon described Lucentis as an expensive drug - it costs more than £10,000 for each eye treated. But he added: "That cost needs to be balanced against the likely cost savings. "AMD results in reduced quality of life and increased risks of illness, particularly in relation to accidents, and psychological ill-health." Mr Dillon said the cost-sharing deal could potentially mean significant savings for the NHS. He expressed sympathy for PCTs facing pressure to fund many different expensive drugs from finite budgets. Mr Dillon defended the length of time it took NICE to reach a final decision, but said it was important all parties had the opportunity to have their say. However, he said: "I am genuinely sorry that it has taken us so long to get to this point. Lessons could be learned by everybody involved."

What is Moon language?

2008-08-05T14:14:00.005+01:00

The Moon alphabet was invented by Dr. William Moon (1818-1894). Dr Moon lost his sight completely at the age of 21 after being partially sighted throughout his childhood. He learnt all the embossed reading systems available at the time but found them unsatisfactory so invented his own system. To find out more: http://www.moonliteracy.org.uk/

We have just designed and produced some modular "Moon Signs" for the RNIB Rushton School & Children's Home in Coventry. The signs are designed so when the use of the room changes the Sign can be changed with minimal fuss and cost.

I know I need DDA-compliant signs, but what messages do I need and where do they need to be fitted?

2008-05-02T14:47:00.004+01:00

Moving around a new building can be difficult enough, we offer a DDA signage audit service to help you decide what information you need to give and where best to locate it. We only produce DDA signage (tactile and Braille) so let our experts help you and it's FREE if you buy the signs from us!

Save the environment - buy our Tactile and Braille signs!

2008-02-06T11:28:00.004Z

Because we produce our signs in metals (Stainless Steel, Brass, Bronze) 100% of our Braille signs can be recycled when no longer used; and so can 50% of our Tactile signs; now that's what you call a "green supplier".

Bi-lingual Tactile and Braille signs

2008-01-18T15:29:00.003Z

We can produce bi-lingual (Irish or Welsh for example) tactile and Braille signs, either after a D.D.A. signage audit, like we did for the HQ of Waterford County Council, or from a list of messages you supply to us, find out more: http://www.as-s.co.uk/tactile-signs-irish-welsh.htm

How do blind or partially sighted people know they are reaching the last step on a flight of stairs?

2007-08-21T12:22:00.001+01:00

Trying to determine which is the last step on a flight of stairs can be very awkward for people with visual impairments; especially in a busy environment like an office or shopping centre or a fire exit in an emergency situation. That is why we developed our "tactile hand-rail step indicators", and because we produce them in metal, they can be formed to fit over round, as well as flat, handrails.

Do Braille signs fall apart?

2007-04-13T11:57:00.006+01:00

Yes, unfortunately most of the plastic Braille signs supplied by other companies do...

...this is because they drill holes in the base of their plastic signs and then attempt to glue small acrylic balls into them. Unfortunately this doesn't work; most either fall out by themselves or are easy to vandalize and pick out using just your nails - don't take our word for it, buy one and try it yourself - approximately 25% of our business is the manufacture of Braille and Tactile Signs that are needed to replace signs that were originally made by other companies!

We have a unique way of producing Braille into metals or plastics that doesn't use any seperate materials for the Braille: http://www.as-s.co.uk/braille-signs-public-toilets.htm

Why do Tactile and Braille Signs have to be so unattractive?

2007-01-25T10:58:00.002Z

They don't!

We believe we are the only company in the world that can produce bespoke Tactile and Braille Signage in metal - Polished or Brushed stainless steel, Brass or Bronze. Our signs are often specified to be used in design-led buildings, listed buildings, or buildings of a significant architectural interest.

Where do you locate Braille Signs so they can be found?

2006-10-06T10:44:00.004+01:00

This is a very common question that is asked by people who need to purchase DDA signs.

The Sign Design Guide (written by the JMU and the Sign Design Society) talks about ensuring a "consistency of location to help people find information when they need it". This is why we have developed our Braille finger push plate for doors; they relay Braille information in a location that is consistent and helpful for Braille readers: http://www.as-s.co.uk/braille-signs.htm

Please let me know any thoughts you might have.

Sniffing out the right supplier

2006-07-15T18:00:00.003+01:00

When the Guide Dogs for the Blind wanted an external Braille sign for the official opening of a new centre, they turned to Architectural Symbols & Signs to provide the solution. Advice was given about the wording and location, the Braille strip was then made from brass and lacquered to give an antique bronzed look; the day was a great success with plenty of tongues and tails wagging.

AS&S Director ends up in Court

2006-04-24T16:30:00.004+01:00

When Atkins, the internationally-acclaimed Building Management Consultants who look after Her Majesty’s Court Service, wanted to meet the DDA regulations for 16 Crown & County Courts throughout the South West of England, they turned to Architectural Symbols & Signs.

A lot of the buildings are either listed or of significant architectural importance, and that was a major reason why Atkins chose AS&S. All the courts were audited for their requirements over a 2-week period and advice was given about the signs that were needed and where to locate them for DDA compliance.

The individual signs were manufactured in either brushed or polished satin stainless or brass, to suit the buildings existing décor; the signs were then sent to the contractors for installation. Thankfully that was the only reason why AS&S had to go to court!