symbols
I am one half (with Jill Brennan) of the team which developed the Bonnington Symbol System (BSS). I design and source symbols for improving the accessibility of signage and other information. The official BSS website has been relaunched within the City of Edinburgh website.
BSS signs ready for installation
symbols in health
BSS involvement with Healthcare projects has been driven by research on the needs of people with communication difficulties, legislation such as the Adults with Incapacity Codes of Practice (Part 5), the Disability Discrimination Act and policy such as the Scottish NHS Plan.
Better Health through Better Communication (BHBC) and the Roodlands Outpatients Clinic Project have demonstrated that BSS can deliver standard symbols which are effective in representing all health staff groups, locations and common procedures.
Communication resources incorporating these symbols, for example door signs, appointment cards, medication charts and health advice sheets produced in consultation with users and providers have made a demonstrable improvement to patient access to health care.
“I am delighted that this East Lothian project is leading the way in improving access to hospital for people with communication
difficulties. Feedback from patients has been extremely positive, and we hope to extend the
use of symbols throughout the local health service”.
Gerry Power - General Manager for East Lothian Healthcare Co-operative
The Better Health through Better Communication project report listed a number of benefits including;
- More accessible and inclusive communication environments in 28 (85%) NE Edinburgh and NW Edinburgh practices.
- Growth of a multi-agency and multi-disciplinary network of serviceproviders and users with an interest and expertise in accessible communication environments including NHS Lothian, City of Edinburgh Council and the Voluntary Sector.
- Development of a model programme for the expansion of accessible communication environments across NHS Lothian.
Sample downloads:
Expressive board (PDF 68KB)
Sign for homes for older people (PDF 382KB)
symbols in education
BSS has been used for several years by Edinburgh's Telford College, Jewel and Esk Valley College and other schools and training centres.
BSS designed sign for CEC training suite.
customer support
BSS provide support for project partners and customers who purchase the BSS
CD Symbols Collection. Please contact BSS on 0131 661 6747 or e-mail Tom
Orr for details of how to purchase the CD, order bespoke symbols or learn
more about how BSS can help you with your accessible signage and information
needs.
links
The British Standards Institute standard BS 8501 states that "the use of graphical symbols is important to assist understanding by all, including those whose first language is not English and those who have disabilities".
The Scottish Accessible Information Forum provides Disability Information and Advice Standards which describe what disabled people should be able to expect from disability information and advice services.
The Scottish Executive's review of services for people
with learning disabilities "The Same as You?" is available, along
with many others on their Web site.
