About the publication
A shared language for places that speak.
Talking Signage is a community-led educational publication about making information in physical places available through speech and audio.
It is designed to be stewarded with blind and low-vision contributors and made useful to venues, designers, access professionals, researchers, technology companies, and anyone asking a serious question about the category.
Why it exists
The same practical questions appear again and again.
Does audio replace Braille? What should a sign say? Is an app required? How do you test a museum route? If one person is asking in an email, many more are likely searching for the same answer.
This publication turns those questions into public, reusable guidance so more organizations understand how talking signage can support independent movement.
What independence means here
Four editorial commitments
- 01
Freedom is the measure.
We ask whether a person can understand a place, make a decision, and move forward without unwanted dependence on someone else.
- 02
Lived experience has authority.
Blind and low-vision people help set questions, test assumptions, review language, and identify what matters in a real journey.
- 03
Claims need a trail.
We prefer primary sources, name the limits of available evidence, publish review dates, and correct errors openly.
- 04
Others can use the work.
The library is intended to educate a whole ecosystem, including organizations that may otherwise compete with one another.
What readers can expect
Clear guidance with visible evidence.
Our guides explain the practical questions behind independent navigation. Codes and legal requirements vary by place and project, so qualified local professionals should advise on compliance.
Each guide identifies its sources, review status, and limits. Sponsorship or material relationships must be disclosed wherever they could affect a reader's understanding.