ADA guidelines state that compliant signs must be stationed in all permanent building areas that identify rooms and spaces. This includes identifying employee-only areas and public spaces that will not change function.
Each sign must be fabricated with a non-glare finish to prevent individuals with low vision from having trouble reading it. It must also provide high contrast between colors.
Character Height
When most people think of ADA-compliant signs, they picture braille. But that’s only one of the many features required by ADA standards for accessible signage. There are also strict requirements for character height, fonts, spacing and other aspects of the visual design. The most important requirement is high contrast, which ensures that signs are easily readable for those with visual impairments or limited mobility. Signs must have a minimum 70% dark-to-light contrast ratio to be compliant. This is accomplished by using a non-glare finish and choosing contrasting colors for both the content and background of the sign.
Using a sans serif font is another way that sign designers can meet ADA standards for readability. Sans serif fonts have fewer features and are easier to read than other types of fonts. Signs must be a minimum of 5/8 inch in height for viewing distances below 72 inches. This is called the character height and is specified in the ADA Standards for Accessible Markings and Signals (Standards).
The Standards require that the characters on visual-only ADA signs are dark and contrast with their background, or that they are light and contrast with the rest of the sign’s content. The text on these signs should be a minimum of 135% and at most 170% of the standard character height for the sign’s font size. The ADA Standards do not specify specific color requirements for signs, but they do require that the text and background be in contrasting colors. The Standards also require that the characters on a sign are separated from each other with a 3/8 inch space.
Many ADA-compliant signs must contain tactile components to help people who are blind or have low vision. This can include raised letters, contracted grade 2 Braille dots or both. If a sign has both visual and tactile characters, the characters on the tactile part of the sign must be positioned a minimum of 18 inches from the edge of any door swing.
Whether you need a standard ADA-compliant sign or a custom interior signage solution, the Green Dot Sign team can help. We are experts in ADA compliance and can handle all aspects of your project, including evaluation, design, fabrication, project management, installation and maintenance. Contact us today for a free quote or consultation.
Character Spacing
ADA regulations for signs are complex, but knowing the rules can help you avoid common errors that lead to non-compliance, says Bart D. Peterschick. While many people think that braille is the only ADA-compliant signage feature, there are several other requirements that also need to be met.
One of the most common mistakes signmakers make is forgetting to follow ADA’s character spacing guidelines. While this seems like a minor detail, it’s important because ADA signage is meant to be easily legible for those with visual impairments. For this reason, ADA signage characters should be spaced out at least 1/8 of an inch apart. This means that you should not use a font with a tight kerning, or a sign with letters that are too close together.
Another mistake that people often make is failing to keep a clear contrast ratio between the sign background and its content. The 2010 ADA Standard states that signs must maintain a minimum high contrast ratio of 75 percent of light reflectance value (LRV) for both the raised written text and the tactile characters. While this may seem obvious, it’s important to remember that sign colors, designs and backgrounds can affect the contrast ratio.
To ensure your signs comply with the ADA standards, it’s a good idea to work with a full-service studio that has actual ADA signage design experience. These experts will have the tools and technology to produce eye-catching, ADA-compliant signage that is both visually appealing and accurate in its content.
The first step to making your ADA signage compliant is to determine the type of sign you need. Whether your space calls for identification, informational, directional or overhead signage, the type of sign you need will directly influence what rules and regulations you must follow. Once you’ve determined the sign type, you can then calculate the mounting height and reading distance based on the location of the sign and its intended use.
The ADA requires that the mount height of signs with tactile characters be at a minimum of 48 to 60 inches above the floor. The ADA also stipulates that the clear floor space around these signs must be at least 18 inches square and must be free of any obstructions or protrusions.
Tactile Characters
ADA regulations require that signs provide tactile characters for individuals who cannot read text. This is done by including raised dots on the sign to represent letters, numbers and symbols. Typically, the dots are painted on the sign with a color that contrasts with the background. Signs should also include pictograms, which are universally understood symbols that can convey an entire message to people regardless of their language or reading ability.
Whether your building has a lot of signage or just a few, it is important to know that your ADA signs meet the required guidelines for code compliance. If you do not, you may be facing fines and penalties. The good news is, you can easily avoid these issues by working with a full-service sign printing partner who understands the ins and outs of complete ADA standards.
Signs that fail to meet ADA standards can cause frustration for people who rely on them. For instance, a person with a visual impairment may not be able to figure out what the sign says if the typeface used is too small or if it has an unusual font. This means the sign could be confusing and inconvenient for someone who needs it to navigate a building or public area safely.
The ADA also requires that sign colors, backgrounds and characters are in high contrast with each other. This means that a sign should have a light background with dark content or a dark background with a light content and characters. While the contrast requirements are no longer specified numerically in the 2010 Standard, the historical 70% or higher light reflectance value (LRV) contrast remains an important benchmark that you should always meet.
Finally, a sign should be hung so that the base of the lowest tactile character is no more than 48″ and the base of the highest tactile character is no more than 60″ above the floor. The sign cannot block any emergency equipment and it must not be placed within 3″ of a door swing.
As a business owner, you want to create a welcoming and inclusive environment for everyone who enters your building. ADA compliant signs play a key role in this and are a must for facilities that are committed to making the best possible accommodations for their visitors and customers. With the information from this article, you can ensure that your ADA compliant signs comply with the most recent guidelines to make your building more accessible and welcoming for all.
Pictograms
When you think of ADA compliant signs, you might immediately picture a sign with braille. And while it’s true that ADA regulations do require signage with braille, that’s only one of the many specifications for ADA compliant signs. Whether you’re looking to update your interior ADA restroom signs or you’re planning a new construction project that will include ADA compliant signage, understanding the most critical aspects of these signs is essential to creating an accessible space for everyone.
The ADA Standards for Accessible Design specify that all signage must have high contrast ratios between the content and the background of the sign. The ADA rules also specify minimum character height requirements, spacing between lines of text, and visual characters that are easily legible for people with vision loss or blindness. Signs that feature electronic messaging systems also present unique accessibility considerations. These types of signs, commonly referred to as variable message or “talking” signs, can change content frequently and may not meet the requirements of the ADA Standards for Accessible Design in some cases.
ADA regulations also require that signs be placed at the entrance to facilities and spaces such as toilet rooms, bathing rooms, parking areas, check-out aisles, and existing elevators. These signs must identify these features and spaces by using a standard ISA symbol (International System of Accessible Graphics). In addition to this, directional signs must have an arrow that is ISA-compliant and must comply with the ADA standards for the content of visual signs.
In addition to meeting ADA standards for sign content, all ADA signs must be hung so the base of the lowest tactile characters is no more than 48 inches from the floor. Signs with pictograms should be mounted so that a 6 inch vertical field is clear of all other text, symbols, and artwork. This is particularly important for safety devices and means of egress signs.
Having an accessible and comfortable space for all of your customers and clients makes good business sense, and it’s the best way to ensure that you’re welcoming all members of the community. Whether you’re preparing for an inspection or you just want to make sure your signage is ADA compliant, contacting a sign company with experience in all aspects of the sign industry can help. Green Dot Sign can handle the design, fabrication and project management of your signage needs, including ADA compliance evaluations and inspections. Contact us today to get a free quote and samples.
