Top
ADA Signs

Why Businesses Need ADA Signage

Author: Drue Townsend

If you’re starting a business, you’ve spent time mapping out budgets, hiring employees, buying advertising and planning other important strategies that are the cornerstones of building a profitable company. But those strategies shouldn’t overshadow your commitment to complying with the American Disabilities Act of 1990, which “prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in employment, transportation, public accommodation, communications and governmental activities.”

A door has an emergency exit sign on it

You’re most likely familiar with some aspects of the law, but as a business owner, it’s worth taking the time to familiarize yourself with its more strict requirements. One requirement that business owners should take notice of right away is the presence of ADA signage on your property.

What are ADA Signs? 

ADA signs are building signs that are specifically designed to provide people with disabilities the same access and functionality to business facilities as people without disabilities. ADA signs must present the same information to every person regardless of physical limitations. 

What is Required of ADA Signs?

There are several specifications that need to be met for your ADA signage to be in full compliance with federal law.

Location

  • All ADA signs that identify rooms must be located adjacent to the door they identify.

  • Permanent room signs must be mounted so that the characters are between 48 and 60 inches from the ground.

Braille

  • All ADA signs require tactile lettering to assist visually impaired visitors

  • Braille must be lowercase except for proper nouns

  • All Braille must be rounded or domed

Fonts, Characters and Backgrounds

  • All signs must use a sans serif typestyle

  • All ADA-compliant signs require a minimum of 1/8-inch between adjoining characters

  • All signs must have backgrounds and characters that don’t emit a glare

  • ADA signage with visual characters must have a high light-dark contrast between the characters and their backgrounds

These are just a few of the requirements. For more specific details, ADA signage guidelines can be found here

Why Does Your Business Need ADA Signs?

The simple answer to this question is that ADA signs are required by federal law. But ADA signage also ensures that employees, visitors and customers share the valuable experience your business strives to provide. That experience delivers your business a strong reputation and continued business and brand loyalty.

An ADA sign indicating a universal washroom

Installing ADA-compliant signage will also keep your business safe from lawsuits or government fines. While the government does allow some time to correct any mistakes or oversights, a well-publicized violation could significantly damage the public perception of your business. If you’re unsure of whether an ADA sign is required, it’s best to err on the side of safety.

ADA signage is produced by several independent vendors, so it’s important to choose a vendor that is familiar with ADA guidelines. If you’d like more information on whether you need updated ADA signage, contact us at 800-FASTSIGNS (800-327-8744).

 
Resources

Related Articles

Manufacturing Day 2015: Inspiring the Next Generation

The Importance of Typography in Signage