Everything You Need To Know About ADA Signs

What is ADA signage?

ADA signs refers to signage that complies with the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), a U.S. federal law that prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in various areas, including public accommodations, employment, and transportation.

Specifically, ADA signage refers to signs that are designed to be accessible and usable by people with disabilities, including those who are blind or visually impaired, deaf, or hard of hearing, or have mobility or cognitive impairments. Examples of ADA signage include signs with raised or Braille characters, signs with high-contrast colors and easy-to-read fonts, and signs with pictograms or symbols that convey information visually.

ADA signage is required in various settings, such as public buildings, restrooms, parking lots, and transportation facilities, to ensure that people with disabilities have equal access to information and services. Failure to comply with ADA signage requirements can result in legal penalties and discrimination lawsuits.

Who is required to have ADA signage?

Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), all public and commercial facilities must have ADA signage to ensure that individuals with disabilities can access and navigate the facility with ease. This includes both new and existing facilities.

Examples of facilities that are required to have ADA signage include:

• Office buildings and complexes
• Retail stores and shopping centers
• Hospitals and medical facilities
• Educational institutions, including schools, universities, and libraries
• Government buildings, including courthouses and police stations.
• Transportation facilities, including airports, bus terminals, and train stations
• Public parks and recreation areas
• Hotels and lodging facilities

The requirement for ADA signage also applies to specific areas within these facilities, such as restrooms, parking lots, elevators, and emergency exits.

It’s important to note that failure to comply with ADA signage requirements can result in legal penalties and discrimination lawsuits. Therefore, it is essential for public and commercial facility owners and operators to ensure that all necessary rooms and areas are properly identified with the appropriate ADA signage.

Which rooms require ADA signage?

Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), certain rooms in public buildings and facilities are required to have ADA-compliant signage. The specific rooms that require ADA signage may vary depending on the type of facility, but some common examples include:

• Restrooms: All restrooms must have ADA-compliant signage indicating the location of the restroom, as well as the gender of the restroom and whether it is accessible to people with disabilities.
• Stairways and elevators: Signs are required to identify stairs and elevators and to indicate whether they are accessible to people with disabilities.
• Exits: All exits must be clearly marked with ADA-compliant signage that includes the word “exit” in large, contrasting letters, along with an arrow pointing towards the exit.
• Accessible routes: Signs are required to indicate accessible routes throughout a building, including hallways, doors, and other areas that are accessible to people with disabilities.
• Public telephones: Signs are required to indicate the location of public telephones that are accessible to people with disabilities.
• Tactile maps: Some facilities may be required to have tactile maps, which are three-dimensional maps that provide information in a non-visual format for people with visual impairments.

These are just a few examples of the types of rooms and areas that may require ADA-compliant signage. It’s important to consult the specific requirements of the ADA to ensure that all necessary rooms and areas are properly identified with the appropriate signage.

What are the size requirements of ADA signs?

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) sets specific size requirements for ADA signs to ensure that they are visible and easy to read for people with different types of disabilities. The following are some of the general size requirements for ADA signs:

• Character size: The height of uppercase characters in tactile (raised) text must be between 5/8 inch (16 mm) and 2 inches (51 mm). The height of lowercase characters should be between 3/8 inch (10 mm) and 1 1/2 inches (38 mm). Characters must be in a sans-serif font, with the thickness of the strokes no more than 15% of the character height.
• Sign size: The minimum height for tactile signs is 48 inches (1219 mm) above the floor, while the maximum height is 60 inches (1524 mm). The width of the sign should be at least 6 inches (152 mm) and not more than 24 inches (610 mm).
• Braille size: The dot height of Braille characters must be between 0.025 inches (0.6 mm) and 0.037 inches (0.9 mm). The distance between two dots within a cell must be between 0.090 inches (2.3 mm) and 0.100 inches (2.5 mm), and the distance between adjacent cells must be at least 0.241 inches (6.1 mm).
• Pictograms: Pictograms must be at least 6 inches (152 mm) high and have a wide-to-tall ratio of 3:5 to 1:1.

It’s important to note that these are general guidelines, and the specific size requirements for ADA signs may vary depending on the location and context in which they are used. To ensure compliance with the ADA, it’s recommended to consult with a qualified signage professional or the guidelines provided by the ADA Standards for Accessible Design.

Why are ADA signs important?

ADA signs are important because they ensure that people with disabilities can access and navigate public and commercial facilities with ease. They provide critical information in a format that is accessible to people with visual, auditory, or cognitive disabilities, allowing them to locate and use facilities, rooms, and areas independently.

Here are a few reasons why ADA signs are important:

• Legal compliance: The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) mandates that public and commercial facilities provide accessible signage. Failure to comply with these requirements can result in legal penalties and discrimination lawsuits.
• Accessibility: ADA signs provide important information in a format that is accessible to people with different types of disabilities, including those who are blind or visually impaired, deaf or hard of hearing, or have mobility or cognitive impairments.
• Safety: ADA signs help ensure the safety of all individuals by providing clear and concise information about emergency exits, fire alarms, and other safety-related features.
• Inclusivity: ADA signs help promote inclusivity and create an environment where individuals with disabilities feel welcome and included.

Overall, ADA signs are essential in ensuring that all individuals, regardless of their abilities, have equal access to public and commercial facilities. By providing accessible and usable signage, ADA signs help create an inclusive and safe environment for everyone.

Where can you purchase custom ADA Signs?

When purchasing custom ADA signs, it’s important to ensure that the supplier or retailer is knowledgeable about ADA regulations and that the signs they produce meet the appropriate requirements. Apogee Signs specializes in creating custom ADA-compliant signs. We can help you design and create custom ADA signage that meet your specific needs and stays in compliance with ADA regulations.

Ok, so there is no way to add everything there is to know about ADA signage, but the article does a pretty good job at explaining the standards. For more information, you can check out Chapter 7 of the 201 ADA Standards for Accessible Design for all of the regulations direct from the U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division.