ADA Signs

How to know if signs comply with the ADA?

For a sign to conform to ADA standards, it must follow specific criteria, including:

• Non-Glare: To ensure visibility, the sign’s background and characters must not create glare. A non-glare finish, like matte, is commonly used to achieve this.
• Letter and Symbol Size: The characters on an ADA sign must be between 5/8 inch and 2 inches tall.
• Adding Braille: All signs must include raised characters and braille for those with impaired vision.
• Mounting Height: ADA signs must be installed so the bottom of the sign is no lower than 48 inches from the ground and no higher than 60 inches. This ensures that the signs are easily visible and accessible to all individuals, regardless of their height or physical abilities.
• Contrast: The text on ADA signs must have a high contrast ratio, meaning the text must be a different color than the background.
• Font: Using a sans serif font, such as Arial or Helvetica, is recommended for the text on the sign. These font types lack decorative elements, making them easier to read and comprehend.
• Spacing: It is important to note that the spacing between characters on an ADA sign should fall between 3/8 inch to 1/2 inch.
• Stroke: The width of the letters should fall within the range of 1/16 inch to 1/8 inch.
• Location: To comply with ADA regulations, it is necessary to install signs on the wall adjacent to the designated door.

Types of ADA-compliant signs

Proper signs are essential, especially if your establishment is in a busy area like San Diego County. There are various ADA-compliant signs to choose from, which each have different functions:

Identification Signs

All rooms in a building must have an ADA-compliant sign with the room number and name. This includes restrooms, offices, closets, and any room in the building.

Informational Signs

Informational signs provide important details about a location, such as rules and regulations, parking instructions, hours of operation, and company details.

Directional Signs

Businesses can make it easier for visitors to navigate by providing directional wayfinding signs. Including ADA guidelines in these signs is important, as it ensures that people with disabilities can confidently and easily access the premises without any uncertainties or confusion.

Overhead Signs

Overhead signs are particularly helpful in ensuring that individuals with disabilities can navigate a store or facility with ease. By attaching signs to ceiling supports or above doorways, businesses can provide clear directions and information to all customers.

Safety Signs

To comply with ADA regulations, safety signs are a necessary addition to your company’s premises. These signs are crucial in identifying important areas, such as exits and stairwells. Ensuring that these signs are clearly visible can help ensure the safety of both your customers and staff.

ADA compliance is vital for any business, but knowing if your signs comply is not always easy. True Impact Signs is here to help. Contact us today to learn more and guarantee your facility complies with ADA standards.