ISO 19027:2016

Design principles for communication support board using pictorial symbols

ISO 19027:2016 specifies basic configurations for communication support boards, which are necessary to facilitate communication. A variety of communication support boards can be designed for specific communication purposes. This International Standard specifies basic elements common to different types of formats/media, such as simple boards, book style or digital media. This International Standard does not regulate any specific design or any specific pictorial symbols for communication support boards. As for design principles of pictorial symbols, this International Standard introduces examples of design principles applicable when designing and developing pictorial symbols. NOTE Examples of basic pattern used to create pictorial symbols are shown in Annex A. Examples of communication support boards using pictorial symbols are shown in Annexes B and C.

Principes de conception pour le conseil de support de communication utilisant des symboles illustrés

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 03-Jan-2016
• ICS: 13.180 - Ergonomics
• Technical Committee: ISO/TC 173/SC 7 - Assistive products for persons with impaired sensory functions
• Drafting Committee: ISO/TC 173/SC 7 - Assistive products for persons with impaired sensory functions
• Current Stage: 9093 - International Standard confirmed
• Start Date: 09-Jun-2021
• Completion Date: 13-Dec-2025

Standards Content (Sample)

INTERNATIONAL ISO
STANDARD 19027
First edition
2016-01-15
Design principles for communication
support board using pictorial symbols
Principes de conception pour le conseil de support de communication
utilisant des symboles illustrés
Reference number
©
ISO 2016
© ISO 2016, Published in Switzerland
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ii © ISO 2016 – All rights reserved

Contents Page
Foreword .iv
Introduction .v
1 Scope . 1
2 Terms and definitions . 1
3 Basic configuration of a communication support board . 1
3.1 Board . 1
3.2 Indication item . 2
4 Principles of designing pictorial symbols . 5
Annex A (informative) Example of creation of original forms of pictorial symbols —
Basic pattern .10
Annex B (informative) Combination of pictorial symbols, photos and illustrations .12
Annex C (informative) Classification 1 of communication support boards .14
Annex D (informative) Classification 2 of communication support boards .19
Annex E (informative) Examples of typefaces .23
Bibliography .24
Foreword
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The committee responsible for this document is ISO/TC 173, Assistive products for persons with disability,
Subcommittee SC 7, Accessible design.
iv © ISO 2016 – All rights reserved

Introduction
This International Standard provides design principles for usable communication support boards that
assist in transcending regional/cultural and linguistic barriers and is of substantial benefit for those
persons who is to rely on a visual strategy to express their communicative intent.
A communication support board is a tool designed for the use of visual symbols (such as pictorial
symbols) to facilitate communication and social interaction when expressive/receptive communication
is limited due to physical or linguistic barriers.
Pictorial symbols, as visual expressions internationally, remove communication barriers in daily
life when the characteristics of the pictorial symbols are easy to understand and able to be applied
regardless of regional/cultural differences.
There are several user groups of pictorial symbols ranging from those who have poor or no
communication abilities to those who require enhanced communication support.
It is important that the symbols used for the communication board correspond with the symbols visible in
the environment to facilitate communication for the individual using the communication board in society.
In addition, the usage of communication support boards encourages inclusiveness in society for the user.
INTERNATIONAL STANDARD ISO 19027:2016(E)
Design principles for communication support board using
pictorial symbols
1 Scope
This International Standard specifies basic configurations for communication support boards, which
are necessary to facilitate communication. A variety of communication support boards can be designed
for specific communication purposes.
This International Standard specifies basic elements common to different types of formats/media, such
as simple boards, book style or digital media. This International Standard does not regulate any specific
design or any specific pictorial symbols for communication support boards.
As for design principles of pictorial symbols, this International Standard introduces examples of design
principles applicable when designing and developing pictorial symbols.
NOTE Examples of basic pattern used to create pictorial symbols are shown in Annex A. Examples of
communication support boards using pictorial symbols are shown in Annexes B and C.
2 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.
2.1
graphical symbol
visually perceptible figure with a particular meaning used to transmit information independently of
language
[SOURCE: ISO 17724:2003]
2.2
pictorial symbol
visual figure which comprises representational and abstract symbols, sometimes used in multiple
combinations
2.3
communication support board
tool to support persons who have difficulties communicating
Note 1 to entry: It can be used in various situations and places, such as for private, public and educational usage.
Note 2 to entry: This includes difficulties communicating orally or when language is a barrier to express
communicative intent.
3 Basic configuration of a communication support board
3.1 Board
a) Size
Size should be suitable for the intended users and intended usage.
b) Material
A communication support board can be made of paper or plastic.
In case of paper, surface lamination is recommended to facilitate writing necessary matters and erasing
such when needed.
c) Formats/media
There are various types of formats/media that can be used:
1) a single page communication support board;
2) a book-style is more practical especially when several pages are required;
3) digital media.
When the communication support board is composed of several pages, it is recommended to be
classified by category, such as transport facilities, food and drink, sequences of daily life, etc.
NOTE Examples of communication support boards are given in Annex C.
d) Background colour
It is advisable to use white background. However, a coloured background of a board, exclusive of the
symbols, can be used for effect.
When multiple symbols are being displayed on a single board, then it is advisable to use white background
for the board, to contrast with the background of individual symbols which are mostly in black.
NOTE Examples of coloured backgrounds are given in Figure C.6.
3.2 Indication item
a) Title
A title should be located at the upper part of a communication support board so that the intended use
might be easily understood. It should be presented in the first screen in digital media. The title can
consist of pictorial symbols and/or text.
b) Typeface
A typeface for use on a communication support board should be carefully chosen, based on the
following guidelines:
1) sans serif typeface or typeface with very small serifs;
2) regular or bold weight.
NOTE Examples of typefaces are shown in Annex E.
c) Language
When text is needed, it should be written in the official language/languages of the country. In order to
facilitate the usage of a communication support board, text could be translated in English. In case of
using multi-languages, it should be limited to four languages on a single board.
In digital media, change of multiple languages should be realized by changing screen or configuration.
d) Pictorial symbols
1) The design of symbols on one board should be consistent.
2) Symbols should be in contrast to the background and responsive to safety colours.
3) Pictorial symbols should be clear, crisp and bold.
2 © ISO 2016 – All rights reserved

When using pictures or photos in any case, they should be of high quality.
e) Layout of pictorial symbols
1) Framing pictorial symbols within the same category in one box should be distinguished from
other information (e.g. text or symbols) and arranged sequentially.
2) In order to make each symbol clear and recognizable, the number of pictorial symbols should
be appropriate according to size of formats/media.
NOTE Examples are shown in Figure C.4.
3) Pictorial symbols, regarding safety and emergency, which have high priority, should be
arranged in the uppermost section of a communication support board.
4) Combination of pictorial symbols and graphical symbols can be used.
5) Combination of pictorial symbols, photos and illustrations can be used.
6) Animation features can be used in digital media.
7) Pictorial symbols to indicate common answers and phrases on individual boards, such as ‘Yes’,
‘No’ and ‘No idea’, should be placed to facilitate conversation.
NOTE Examples of combination of pictorial symbols, photos and illustrations are given in Ann
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