subject: Ada Signage Regulations And Requirements [print this page] If you own a business of any kind, you should be familiar with recent changes in the laws regarding commercial buildings and disabled people who need ADA signage. In 1992 when the government passed the Americans with Disabilities Act, it set a series of guidelines for businesses to follow to make facilities more accessible to those who face physical challenges. The laws of course are a necessary move forward, as representation of the rights of special needs individuals had certainly been lacking.
Before the Act was passed and ADA signage became regulated, many businesses had little to no access for people with disabilities, which made it almost impossible for these people to utilize commercial facilities. Not only does this clearly put those with disabilities at a serious disadvantage, but it also hurts businesses because they are missing out on the potential increased revenue. If you are a business owner, you need to pay attention to the degree to which your facility is accessible to those with disabilities, and part of this concerns ADA signage.
Signage refers to the types and placement of signs in a commercial space. The ADA is very specific about commercial buildings and their signs, and there is much detail involved, making a general overview necessary that hits the key points only. Numbers and letters on signs must have a width to height ratio of between 3:5 and 1:1, and the stroke width ratio of the font must be between 1:5 and 1:10. Letters and other characters need to be raised 1/32 in upper case sans serif or basic serif, and they also should have Grade 2 Braille next to them. Picture signs must have a verbal description below the sign itself, and the border size of a picture sign has to be at minimum six inches in height.
ADA signage expands in depth about Braille dimensions. They are specified by law. The standard dot diameter is .090 inches, and inter dot spacing is the same. Horizontal separation between cells has to be .241, and vertical separation must be .395. Regarding the height of the raised dots, it should be between .017 inches and .022 inches.
Did you know that characters and backgrounds must be certain colors? They need to be either eggshell, matte or some other non glare paint, too. The letters, numbers and symbols must contrast with the background color of the sign itself, so the signs either must have light letters on a dark background or dark letters on a light background. In addition, ADA signage regulations state that signs must be installed on the wall adjacent to the latch side of the door or placed on the nearest adjacent wall.
