Digital Signage
Digital signage should be easy for everyone to see, understand and navigate. Using readable text, clear contrast, captioned videos, alternative audio formats, and other best practices helps people with disabilities access information—and improves usability for all viewers. Use the resources on this page to learn how to create accessible digital signage.
Who is responsible?
Anyone who creates, edits or manages digital signage content for their college, unit or department is responsible for ensuring that the content is accessible.
What standards do you need to meet?
All digital signage used for University business must comply with the required WCAG 2.1 AA standards and include a plain-text contact method for people with disabilities who experience access issues. These guidelines are referenced in WMU’s Web Accessibility Policy and in the ADA Title II federal regulations.
What to do? (Checklist)
Use the following best practices to help ensure your digital signage is accessible to all users.
- Ensure readable text size: Use font sizes large enough to be read from the intended viewing distance. A general rule is 1 inch of letter height per 10 feet of viewing distance, with a minimum of 3-inch lettering for important information.
- Provide high color contrast: Maintain a contrast ratio of at least 4.5:1 between text and background, or 3:1 for large text (18pt+). Use light text on dark backgrounds or vice versa, avoiding low-contrast color combinations.
- Use sans-serif fonts: Select clear, legible fonts like Arial, Helvetica or Verdana. Avoid decorative fonts, excessive italics or all-caps text that can reduce readability for people with visual or cognitive disabilities.
- Control display duration: Allow sufficient time for content to be read. A standard guideline is one second per word, with a minimum of five to 10 seconds for simple messages. Avoid rapid transitions that may trigger photosensitive epilepsy.
- Provide audio alternatives: Include audio narration or text-to-speech functionality for visually impaired users. Ensure audio is clear, at an adequate volume, and available without requiring user interaction if possible.
- Install at accessible heights and locations: Mount displays at appropriate viewing heights (typically 48-60 inches to center) and ensure they're visible from wheelchair height. Maintain clear floor space for wheelchair users to approach within viewing range.
- Add closed captions for video content: Include synchronized captions for all video or audio content. Captions should be accurate, properly timed and identify speakers and relevant sound effects.
- Avoid flashing or strobing content: Eliminate content that flashes more than three times per second to prevent triggering seizures in people with photosensitive epilepsy. Avoid rapid animations or flickering transitions.
- Provide alternative access to information: Ensure the same information displayed on digital signage is available in other accessible formats, such as printed materials, websites, mobile apps or tactile signage, for critical wayfinding.
- Minimize glare and ensure proper lighting: Position screens to avoid glare from windows or overhead lights. Use anti-glare screens if needed and ensure adequate ambient lighting so content is visible without causing eye strain.
What tools are available?
Use external accessibility tools, such as built-in checkers (e.g., in Adobe InDesign or Adobe Express), on your source content (images, videos, etc.) before uploading to Mvix.