Successfully implement the 2-senses principle

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Information in text AND speech

The 2-senses principle states that information must always be presented for two complementary senses. This means for sight AND hearing or for sight AND touch.

We reveal here which solutions come into question for this:

Why is the 2-senses principle so important?

On the one hand, there is of course the legal obligation for accessibility.
On the other hand, it is also a convenience for all recipients of information.
Because the 2-senses principle is also helpful for people without disabilities. Thus the principle has already found its way into our everyday lives, for example, with smartphones that ring and vibrate at the same time.

Whether people with reading difficulties, with visual or hearing impairments, with cognitive limitations, young children or the 50+ generation: they all benefit from the 2-senses principle. And thus, accessibility measures increase the satisfaction of many customer groups.

When to apply the 2-senses principle?

In general, whenever you offer any “formal” information.

But above all, the 2-senses principle should be applied to information in publicly accessible areas, such as transportation, office buildings, leisure facilities, hotels, or shopping malls.
This therefore applies to guidance systems, office signage, menus, safety instructions or the operating elements in elevators and ATMs.

Pyramid lettering and strong contrasts – the 2-senses principle in elevators

Solution examples

In many cases, the 2-senses principle is already standard.
e.g. all modern elevators can now display AND announce the floors. And they have a keyboard with pyramid writing or Braille. This is of course mounted in such a way that people in wheelchairs can easily reach it.
In the same way, traffic lights with acoustic signals and tactile guidance systems are already part of the cityscape.

Fire alarm systems

Especially when it comes to alarm and warning signals, all information must always be offered according to the 2-senses principle.
Deaf people cannot perceive announcements, nor can they hear alarms. Therefore, smoke detectors, etc. must additionally alert by means of flashing lights.
For blind people, instructions in the event of a fire must also be available acoustically, and tactile guidance systems enable people to find the escape routes.

Orientation systems

Good contrasts, few reflections and large lettering facilitate orientation in public spaces.
However, this is not sufficient for the 2-senses principle. Here it needs additional tactile pyramid writing, Braille or audio.
We have to consider however that only 20 to 25 % of all blind people can read Braille. Therefore, audio is probably the better choice.
For deaf people sign language is the best option.

Written information

Brochures, instructions for use, packaging or tourist information: If you can’t read them, you’re left out. And it is not only people with visual impairments, who have this problem, but also all those with reading difficulties. And there are more of them than we think. More…

Solutions include adapting information in digital formats to “screen readers”; that is, software that reads texts aloud on a PC. Or apps that can read texts aloud using smartphone voice assistants. Or specially prepared audio texts.

With information in text AND speech, i.e. for reading AND listening, the 2-senses principle thus not only enables accessibility, but also a wider reach.

The menu in text AND speech – a convenience for all!

Implement the 2-senses principle now

With the SpeechCode software, you can turn any text into an audio file online. Three media are available for output:

A printed “Speech Code” for large print runs of e.g. brochures.
An “NFC Speech Tag” for guidance systems, signs and info points.
A “SpeechLink” for packaging, food or medicines.