Hello Everyone
I have been wondering if anyone has come across any research on this issue? Attached is, what I think is a very poor, but not uncommon type of sign I came across in a day centre. Apart from all the obvious non-accessible features of its design, I find the pictogram unhelpful. My experience tells me that most people would more easily recognise the types of symbols or pictograms with which they are already familiar - so a clear man or woman or international access symbol, plus the word WC or toilet, plus the embossed and braille features. If you look at suppliers of products for dementia friendly environments, such as the horribly named Alzproducts, they have signs which are commonly found in Care Homes and Day Centre with a pictogram of a toilet alongside the word toilet.
http://www.alzproducts.co.uk/signage-for-dementia.html
Accepting that dementia effects everyone differently, is there any reason why this type of sign is better or more easily accessible to someone with dementia than the signs mentioned above which we would normally have on WC doors? I also find them unhomely and garish - but that is my personal opinion. And finally, isn't WC more easily understandabe than Toilet?!
Thanks and best wishes
Jan
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