Sign for Audio Described

Audio Description
Sign for Audio Description Availability.

What is Audio Description?
Trained Audio Describers present live narration of visual information, such as performing or visual arts and television/film, for people with low vision or blindness. The process generally includes headphone sets, depending on the group providing Audio Description. For example, Arts Access, Inc. located in Raleigh, NC provides Audio Description services.

Sign for Assistive Listening Systems

Assistive Listening Systems (ALS)
Indicates that Assistive Listening Systems and/or Devices are available.

What are Assistive Listening Systems?
Assistive Listening Systems (ALS) is an umbrella term for many different technologies that perform the same function: to improve the reception of speech or selected audio, such as sound effects or music, for people with hearing loss. These are used in addition to personal technologies that the individual may have -- such as a hearing aid -- in situations where personal devices may not be enough. Some examples of these situations include the following: a gallery or museum with a large, open space that echoes and may tours with guides talking; a self-guided tour of a museum or gallery with audio available without headsets or head phones, or any space that has a lot of background or outdoor noise that cannot be filtered.

Hearing aids and other devices can provided hearing assistance in optimal conditions, such as when the listener is close to the person speaking/singing or the sound source and when there is little background noise. Unfortunately, in a situation where there is a lot of background noise, or when there are poor acoustics, or when the listener cannot be close to the sound source, these devices become less effective. Hearing aids amplify everything, making it difficult for the listener to hear through background noise or other sounds.

Sign for Braille

Braille
Indicates that printed materials are available in Braille

What is Braille?
Braille is an impression-based version of the alphabet used by people with low vision or blindness. This sign indicates that all publications are available in braille, including labels for any exhibits or structures and signs.

 

Sign for Closed Caption

Closed Captioning
Closed captioning is available.

What is Closed Captioning?
Commonly referred to as subtitles, closed captioning provides textual captions to describe the audio portion of films/television or other forms of combined audio/visual combinations, such as a presentation or speaker. While closed captioning can be provided for people who have low hearing or are deaf, it is also used in place of dubbing for films in languages other than what the audience is expected to understand. However, closed captioning for people with hearing disabilities also includes a transcription of important sound elements, such as sound effects and music, as well as the dialogue or speech. In either case, speech may not be captioned verbatim.

Closed captioning is different from open captioning because it is a separate stream of text that the user must add. That is, closed captioning is not necessarily a part of a video or media file, it is a separate entity added on later.

Sign for Information

Information
Indicates that individuals seeking information can find it here.

What information is generally provided?
Depending on the situation, this may include everything from accessibility, to maps, to program descriptions.

 

 

Sign for Low Vision Aid

Access for Individuals who are blind or who have low vision
Other access for people with low vision or blindness besides Braille.

What is needed for access for individuals who have low vision?
Depending on the situation, this sign can indicate anything from a tactile-driven path to a guided tour.

 

Sign for Large Print

Large Print Available
Printed materials, such as books and pamphlets, are available in larger-print versions.

What are the specifications of Large Print?
Large print generally indicates printed materials that have the content text no smaller than 18 pt. Despite the prevalence of serif fonts in many print materials, such as newspapers, sans-serif or low-serif fonts should be used for large-print options. High-contrast between text and background is crucial as well, as large print often is often sought by people with color blindness.

Sign for Opened Captioning

Opened Captioning
Opened Captioning available for media files.

What is Opened Captioning?
Commonly referred to as subtitles, opened captioning provides textual captions to describe the audio portion of films/television or other forms of combined audio/visual combinations, such as a presentation or speaker. While closed captioning can be provided for people who have low hearing or are deaf, it is also used in place of dubbing for films in languages other than what the audience is expected to understand. However, closed captioning for people with hearing disabilities also includes a transcription of important sound elements, such as sound effects and music, as well as the dialogue or speech. In either case, speech may not be captioned verbatim.

Opened Captioning is different from Closed Captioning because the text is always a part of the media file in question. A closed-captioned film will have the option of using subtitles, which is generally added later to the film. Opened captioning, on the other hand, is not optional; it is a part of the film itself. Especially in the case of media files with multiple languages, opened captioning plays an important role. It is generally preferred by many people who believe that subtitles are a good way to reduce noise and to improve accessibility of media to both people with hearing disabilities and to people whose primary language is not that of the media file.

Sign for Sign Language

Sign Language Interpretation Provided
Indicates that the program will be interpreted in sign language.

What does Sign Language Interpretation entail?
Especially for live events, such as the arts, a long lecture, or a conference, it is important to have many individuals interpret sign language for you. Depending on your location, many groups that provide sign interpretation will require at least two individuals hired for the event, as sign interpretation can be a physically and mentally taxing exercise, especially in heavily textual environments, such as panel discussions or theatre performances.

While location of the interpreters will be often dictated by the shape of the room or area in which the event is taking place, it is important to have the interpreters somewhere that most people can elect to see them. In certain instances, it may not be possible to have this, and a sign language audience section might need to be declared to ensure that anyone who wants or needs the sign will be able to see it at the appropriate angle.

Sign for Typewriter Telephone

Telephone Typewriter (TTY)
Indicates the availability of a Telephone Typewriter device for people with low hearing, deafness, or speech limitations.

What is a Telephone Typewriter (TTY)?
Alternative names include Text Telephone (TT) and Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD).

TTY devices enable people who have low hearing, deafness, or speech limitations to communicate with a telephone, often to individuals with no hearing or speaking disabilities.

Sign for Volume Controls

Volume Control Telephone
Indicates the availability of a telephone with volume amplifier for people with low hearing (beyond general telephone volume)

What is a Volume Control Telephone?
A volume control telephone has a handset that allows the user to adjust the volume. Sometimes they also come with a headset to avoid sound pollution, especially in the instance of multiple phones located near one another.

Sign for Mobilitiy Accessibility

Sign for Mobility Accessibility
Indicates accessible entry and navigation for people with limited mobility, including wheelchairs. Often this symbol is used to indicate "accessibility" in its entirety, such as limited or reserved parking spaces, but for businesses or other groups using the symbol, it only indicates mobility accessibility.

What does mobility accessibility entail?
Mobility accessibility is complex, especially in terms of overall facilities. For example, a ramped entrance has to have the appropriate angle, as well as a curb cut for entry to the curb. An elevator is not accessible if the doorway is too narrow or if the buttons are positioned too high on the panel. A bathroom with high sinks or narrow stalls is also not accessible, as are many shapes of door knobs and height/width of doors. Architects and inspectors may assist facilities managers in assessing the accessibility of the building.