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- Signage in a leisure centre
South Woodham Ferrers Leisure Centre has a whole variety of members, some with disabilities. When they came to remake their signage they wanted them to be understood by everyone, and so they decided to include Widgit Symbols, as they were a symbol language they knew their members would understand.
We worked with them to create appropriate symbols for each place, not just using the default symbol. For example for the gymnasiums, we didn't use the generic 'gymnasium' symbol because we knew that Gymnasium 1 always did gymnastics and Gymnasium 2 always did martial arts, so the symbols were picked accordingly.
Symbolised signage around the leisure centre
"The requirements of the DDA coupled with our own accessibility and
equality policies allowed us to take an innovative approach to the design
of the signage around our new leisure centre. The aim of including
symbols on the directional signage around the centre was to provide
simple, identifiable objects that all members of the community would
be able to recognise and associate with to improve their visit and guide
them around the facilities."
"Feedback from customers, colleagues and external partners has been very positive, with several enquiries about them. When the signage at our other facilities is reviewed we will almost certainly use this design and concept again, which is now felt to be good practice."
Mark Owers
Sport & Recreation Officer
Chelmsford Borough Council
Information on South Woodham Ferrers Leisure Centre