Most church members will know their way around their church buildings including their halls.
For visitors and those members who have failing eyesight, dementia, dyslexia and other conditions, clear and informative sings are indispensable. Many churches around the country are beginning to address this challenge by the simple and relatively inexpensive addition of relevant signage in appropriate positions. Many are taking advice from organisations such as Alzheimers Scotland or local Dementia Resource Centres.
The advice secured has related to colours of signs and text, size issues, appropriate height etc.
Below are just a few examples of helpful signs which are now in use. Others can be designed and produced to suit each congregation’s specific needs and circumstances. These signs can, of course, be produced locally but may also be sourced via the internet.
Tips
A few tips have been collated regarding how best to utilise these signs;
- Must be sufficiently large print to be helpful;
- Thought given to the optimum location to benefit all;
- Adopting appropriate colours and text as advised by various organisations;
- Erected at eye level rather than above door where signs are frequently displayed;
- Pictures are great at supplementing text;
- Be careful if laminating the signs by ensuring that their worth is not diminished by glare from overhead lights;
- In toilets with no “traditional” taps over wash hand basins (when water is brought on via an electronic sensor when hands are placed underneath the tap) do add a simple sign advising “Hold hands under the tap to bring on the water”.
- There is no one approach that addresses all issues, but no signage doesn’t help anyone.
SCDG welcomes suggestions for additions to this list and also good examples of where such signage has made a difference.
Have a look at the website for further information pages. Feedback and suggestions to the Secretary at rowantreess@outlook.com (0131 669 3301)
