DDA compliant with UK legislation
Braille and tactile sign supplies
Disability Discrimination Act UK
Part III of the Disabilities Discrimination Act (DDA) covers the provision of goods, facilities and services, and the selling, letting or management of premises. The DDA originated out of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in the USA, which has been law since 1990.
Simply put, it will be unlawful to:
- Refuse to serve disabled persons for reasons which relate to their disability (we are concerned here with visually impaired or blind persons)
- Offer a reduced or poorer service to disabled people
- Provide a service to disabled on different terms and conditions
Service Providers will include anyone offering services to the public, no matter whether they are a public authority, a private agency or an individual - irrespective of whether there is a charge or not.
Implications For Signage
The key wording of the DDA is that Service Providers will be required to make REASONABLE EFFORT to ensure disabled people can use their services easily. The inclusion of the provision of accessible signage is an essential element in gaining access to those services. Accessible signage is also known within the sign trade as Braille signs, Braille and tactile signs or signage, or embossed lettering signs.
Legal cases will inevitably define the specifics of the Act in the coming years.
October 1999 saw an implementation to make reasonable adjustments to the following three items.
- Changes to policies, practices and procedures
- Provision of auxiliary aids and services
- Making the service accessible by another means
For further information regarding these obligations you can read the 'Code of Practice: Rights of Access, Goods, Facilities, Services and Premises (1999)'
How Nova Polymers Can Help
Manufacturing Accessible Signage
The Disabilities Discrimination (Services and Premises) Regulations imply that in 2004 signs will become a forcible obligation. Ultimately all signs will fall under the Act and as such it is in the best interests of Service Providers to ensure their sign systems follow best practice now. It will prevent the need for total replacement in the very near future.
Nova Polymers addresses the above DDA legislation by the use of their NovAcryl and Novex materials. These materials originate from the USA where, as described above, the ADA has been law for approximately 12 years. In addition to offering complete Photopolymer Processing Systems, which include the NovaPress 70, the EcoPro thermal film setter, Kobo hot foil stamp unit and other ancillary equipment, Nova Polymers also offers the Duxbury Braille Translator software package.
Duxbury ensures correct Braille signs translation for disability signs offering both Grade 1 and Grade 2 Braille translations.
Braille Sign Supply
Should you not wish to invest in a complete photopolymer manufacturing system, Nova Polymers Braille sign supply will be pleased to manufacture your custom manufactured Braille and tactile signage for you.
Throughout this website you will find various products that offer themselves as ideal framing systems for Braille signs.
For more information, please do not hesitate to Contact Us. | 
