Accessible interpretive signs we love!

Interpretive signs can be wonderful ways to learn about and engage with a birding location you’re visiting… if you can access them. Here are some examples of interpretive signs we love (because they’re accessible!) and ones that could use some improvement. For more information on the factors that make up accessible interpretive signs, visit our Access Considerations Guidance Document.

Good contrast and plain backgrounds

Strong contrast between the color of the text and the background color is important to make the text as easy as possible to read. It’s also important to have a simple, plainer background (like this sign’s basic watery background), rather than a visually complex background (as this can make it difficult to read the text). Cabrillo National Monument, California. Photo: Freya McGregor.

Tactile components

Tactile features (that you can touch!) are fun and engaging for people who are blind or have low vision… and many other visitors too. The tactile component of this sign includes raised text and braille labels. Brackenridge Nature Trail, Gulf Islands National Seashore, Florida. Photo: Freya McGregor.

Interpretive signs with tactile features invite visitors to engage with the learning opportunity in different ways. It’s amazing how many things can be made ‘touchable’ on a sign… like whale baleen…! Coronado National Monument, California. Photo: Freya McGregor.

Audio components

This symbol (which is also tactile and includes braille for the printed number) tells visitors there’s an audio description available for this interpretive sign. The number corresponds to the number on the audio device, which visitors can borrow from the Visitor Center. Cabrillo National Monument, California. Photo: Freya McGregor.

The interpretive signs along this trail all have an audio component, in the form of a solar-powered pillar with a button to push. The button is at a height that someone seated in a wheelchair could reach it too. Echo River Springs Trail, Mammoth Cave National Park, Kentucky. Photo: Freya McGregor.

This interpretive sign includes audio options in six languages! How inclusive is that?! Cabrillo National Monument, California. Photo: Freya McGregor.

3D map signs

Tactile or 3D maps are awesome, but this one only showed numbers (with corresponding braille numbers), and didn’t provide any key to explain what the numbers next to each building meant. Fort Scott National Historic Site, Kansas. Photo: Freya McGregor.

This tactile map includes raised printed text and braille labels for the place names. Much more helpful! Cabrillo National Monument, California. Photo: Freya McGregor.