Digital Banners Plus Can Help You Meet ADA Compliance
ADA SIGNAGE REQUIREMENTS
Since 2012, all new public buildings and structures are required to comply with the Americans with Disability Act (ADA).
This requirement covers thousands or types of buildings, from hotels and stores to schools, public venues, and office spaces.
ADA signs need to be posted in a way that’s easy to be touched by the blind. They also need to be conveniently placed, so that sighted people can see them when they need to.
Not all signs have to be ADA compliant, though. Any signs that you post for marketing or advertising reasons, company name or logo signs, and temporary signs don’t have to meet ADA requirements.
The ADA signage requirements govern signs that tell people about rooms in a building or the functions of certain spaces, or that let people know about accessibility (such as the sign for a wheelchair-accessible bathroom).
ADA SIGNAGE REGULATIONS
- 703.2.2 CASE – Characters shall be uppercase.
- 703.2.3 STYLE – Characters shall be sans serif. Characters shall not be italic, oblique, script, highly decorative, or of other unusual forms.
- 703.2.4 CHARACTER PROPORTIONS – Characters shall be selected from fonts where the width of the uppercase letter “O” is 55 percent minimum and 110 percent maximum of the height of the uppercase letter “I”.
- 703.2.5 CHARACTER HEIGHT – Character height measured vertically from the baseline of the character shall be 5/8 inch (16 mm) minimum and 2 inches (51 mm) maximum based on the height of the uppercase letter “I”.
COLOR CONTRAST OBSERVANCE
There is more to ADA sign compliance than just Braille lettering. The design and contrast of the lettering on the signs also need to be easy for sighted people to read. Both the letters and the sign background have to have a non-glare surface so that reflected light won’t interfere with readability.
There also needs to be a high contrast between the letters and the sign background. You can use dark letters on a light background or vice versa. Any pictographs on the sign, such as the images to represent restroom genders, also need to have an appropriate contrast.
Beyond color codes, there are also state and local requirements to consider. We research these to ensure that we are providing you with the most updated signs that meet all ADA requirements.
SIZE AND SPACE REQUIREMENTS
ADA size requirements specify a text height range of 5/8 of an inch to 2 inches. For 5/8″ letters, we allow for 2″ of height per line of text and add a 1″ space for the braille translation line.
ADA RULES OF THUMB
- Letters and pictographs must contrast with their backgrounds
- Braille must be positioned directly below text
- Fonts must be all uppercase, sans serif and at least 5/8″ tall
BEYOND COMPLIANCE
Braille and tactile signs have many uses beyond just basic compliance. Many parks, galleries, museums, and private venues post tactile information signs so that those with seeing disabilities can learn about the facility that they’re visiting.
There is no limit to what messages you can convey while making your location more accessible and informative.
OUR COMMITMENT TO ACCESS
Digital Banners Plus works to help business places maintain their ADA compliance. We can provide a number of durable ADA sign solutions for any local business, church, school, medical or care center.
We will work to ensure that your ADA signs are in compliance and complimentary to your decor, while still serving your visitors’ needs.
ADA Signage is special order. We will provide you with several options to fit your needs- just click on the “Contact Us” button and we will get your requirements.
ADA Sign FAQs
Is my business required to be ADA Sign compliant?
All public buildings built after 2012 must use ADA-compliant signage.
Do all signs that I post need to be ADA-compliant?
No, any signs that you post for marketing or advertising reasons, company name or logo signs, and any temporary signs don’t have to meet ADA requirements.
My signs have Braille lettering. Is that enough?
That’s a good start! In addition, the design and contrast of the lettering on the signs need to be easy to read for sighted people. Both the letters and the sign background must also have a non-glare surface so that reflected light won’t interfere with readability.