The signage project is funded under a Pioneer grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and consists of several intertwined steps described here. Leadership for the project is provided by the Steering Committee responsible for integrating and coordinating the work of three project teams. This page provides an overview of the project components, the project calendar and team profiles with background information on the many individuals and organizations working on the project.
Key signage terms currently used by health facilities will be prioritized in order of importance from an inventory in Hablamos Juntos demonstration sites. The highest priority terms will become candidates for further development. Since most symbols will include written terms, translations and their definitions will be developed in the top five language groups encountered in the United States.
A team of designers, experienced in symbol development, will design images to represent the selected terms. Using convenience sampling a “Symbols Response Group” of facilities users will be formed to critique the symbols under design. Using a repetitive process and internet technology, Response Group members will be asked to complete a survey at four stages of symbol development. The symbol evaluation survey will use ISO (International Standards Organization) standards to obtain the assessment of symbols developed for each term – testing for comprehensibility and cultural sensitivity. This input will be analyzed and the results shared with symbols designers to guide redesign/refinement of the proposed symbols. The Response Group composition will be representative of a national sample of health facilities users with an emphasis on limited English populations. Hablamos Juntos grantees will engage limited English populations in the symbols evaluation process. JRC Designs will lead the Symbols Design Team. Overall, the work of the Design Team and the Pilot Site Testing will be overseen and guided by a Technical Advisory Committee of well known symbols experts, most of whom are also familiar with health environments.
If you would like to participate for Round Four of the Symbols Survey click here.
In February of 2004, four health care facilities
were chosen as pilot sites to install and test the newly developed
signage system. The Design Team will work with these facilities
to incorporate the symbols signage into exciting signage. SEGD
will lead the
evaluation of the system and conduct Pre and Post audits
of the four Pilot Sites. The results of the audits will contribute
to development of implementation standards for both signage and
print usages of the terminology, symbol and corresponding translation.
For the system to be useful and the symbols
recognizable, the public as well as medical and design professionals
need to be informed about the system, and the associated "Kit
of Parts" must be easily accessible. The Project
Advisory Committee will help to develop recommendations for promoting
the use of the symbols system in health facilities nationwide,
and will work to achieve recognition for the symbols as the baseline
national standard for health signage. In addition, Hablamos Juntos
will produce several reports to describe the development and
testing process.
Team meetings and project milestones are listed
in the Signs That Work calendar.
Learn about the people and associations involved in the project.
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