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Accessibility UI Guidelines: Accessible Dynamic Departure Screens

Appendix

Appendix B: Overhead Departure Screens

B.1 General Design Principles

Key considerations to ensure user-friendly and accessible designs for overhead dynamic departure screens.

B.1.1 High-Contrast Visuals
  • Description: Utilise color schemes with high contrast between text and background to enhance readability for users with visual impairments.
  • Implementation:
    • Color Choices: Black text on a white background or white text on a dark background.
    • Consistency: Maintain consistent color usage across all screens to avoid confusion.
B.1.2 Large, Clear Fonts
  • Description: Use large, sans-serif fonts that are easy to read from a distance.
  • Implementation:
    • Font Size: Ensure text is sufficiently large to be read from various vantage points.
    • Font Style: Choose clean, sans-serif fonts to reduce visual clutter.
B.1.3 Simplified Language
  • Description: Present information in clear, concise language to aid users with cognitive disabilities.
  • Implementation:
    • Clarity: Avoid jargon and use straightforward terminology.
    • Consistency: Use uniform language and terminology across all screens.

B.2 Multimodal Information Delivery

Ensuring information is accessible through multiple channels caters to diverse user needs.

B.2.1 Visual and Auditory Outputs
  • Features:
    • Audio Announcements: Provide synchronised audio announcements for real-time updates.
    • Simultaneous Display: Ensure that audio and visual outputs convey the same information to maintain consistency.
B.2.2 Subtitles and Captions
  • Features:
    • Video Content: If video content is used, ensure that subtitles or captions are available for users with hearing impairments.
    • Real-Time Captions: Implement real-time captioning for live announcements.

B.3 Placement and Visibility

Strategic placement and visibility of screens ensure accessibility for all users.

B.3.1 Optimal Placement
  • Features:
    • Accessible Locations: Position screens in locations easily accessible to all users, including those with mobility aids.
    • Multiple Viewing Angles: Install screens at heights and angles that accommodate users standing, seated, and in wheelchairs.
B.3.2 Glare Reduction
  • Features:
    • Anti-Glare Screens: Use anti-glare coatings or materials to minimise reflections and enhance visibility.
    • Proper Lighting: Ensure screens are well-lit without causing glare, using ambient lighting that complements screen visibility.

B.4 Environmental Accessibility

Addressing external factors that impact the user experience with screen signages.

B.4.1 Lighting
  • Features:
    • Proper Illumination: Ensure screens are well-lit to assist users with partial vision.
    • Glare and Reflection Avoidance: Design screens and surrounding areas to minimise glare, enhancing visibility.
B.4.2 Noise Reduction
  • Features:
    • Minimise Ambient Noise: Reduce background noise to improve the effectiveness of audio instructions.
    • Acoustic Considerations: Design spaces around screens to support clear audio feedback.
B.4.3 Signage
  • Features:
    • High-Contrast, Large-Print Signage: Provide clear guidance with tactile elements for easy navigation.
    • Directional Aids: Use signs to help users locate information screens within transport hubs.

B.5 Best Practices for Accessible Overhead Dynamic Departure Screens

Adopting best practices can significantly enhance the accessibility of overhead dynamic departure screens.

B.5.1 Universal Design Principles
  • Inclusivity: Design interfaces that are usable by the widest range of people without the need for adaptation.
  • Flexibility: Provide multiple ways to access and interact with information (e.g., visual, auditory, tactile).
B.5.2 Clear and Consistent Interface
  • Intuitive Navigation: Ensure that the user flow is logical and consistent across different sections of the screens.
  • Feedback Mechanisms: Provide immediate and clear feedback for user actions to confirm interactions or highlight errors.