Accessible Reception Design for Your Business: The Five Essentials
The reception desk is the first port of call for any new visitor or customer on your premises; however, many receptions are inadequate in meeting the needs of people with disabilities. Disabled people make up almost 20% of the population, so make sure that you make the best possible first impression by following the guidelines below.
Consider the placement
If possible, choose to situate your reception desk in a direct line of sight from the entrance door. This minimises confusion and ensures that visitors or customers with visual and cognitive impairments have the greatest possible chance of finding the reception and that the receptionist will always see them coming.
Provide proper signage
When it comes to accessible design, proper signage is key. Ensure that your reception desk is clearly identifiable by placing a sign directly on or above the desk itself, in a large font with good contrast between the text itself and its background. If the reception desk is not in a direct line of sight from the entrance, ensure that a sign with a large, clear directional arrow is visible immediately upon entry. Avoiding confusion early will set a professional tone for the exchanges that follow.
Consider wheelchair users
Many reception desks are too high for wheelchair users to comfortably see over, creating a bad impression immediately in the visitor or customer's mind. Ensure that there is a lowered portion to the reception desk, no higher than 1000mm, with a recess to allow wheelchair users to use the surface properly for the purposes of signing in and engaging the receptionist.
Install a Hearing loop
Hearing loops (also known as 'induction loops') work in conjunction with hearing aids to amplify desired sounds and filter out unwanted background noise. Hearing aids with telecoils feature a "T" Switch which allows the user to turn off the microphone setting on their hearing aid and focus in on important information, such as the voice of a receptionist or announcements made over speakers. These should be fitted in every reception area and tested in advance, and staff should be properly trained in their use; after all, communication is key.
Choose lighting carefully
For deaf or hearing impaired visitors, lighting is highly important. Ensure that the receptionist is lit well and evenly from the front and avoid excessive rear lighting, which tends to create silhouettes. The receptionist's face should be clearly visible to assist hearing impaired visitors with lip-reading. By applying all of the information above in your reception, you can be sure that you and your customer get off to the best possible start. You only get one chance to make a first impression, so make yours a good one. Good luck!