How to Ensure Your ADA Signs Are Compliant
Regardless of the industry, it’s important all the signage used in your facilities adheres to compliance regulations laid out by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The law, which went into effect in 1992, prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in everyday activities.
As part of its efforts to achieve that goal, the ADA lays down specific guidelines for the signage inside every building. A sign that designates a room – or a permanent space – must comply with many regulatory measures to ensure nondiscrimination. In addition to signs designating different rooms, the signs in your facilities that provide direction to or information about the functional spaces around your building must follow ADA law.
It can sometimes be difficult to understand and interpret government regulations and standards. Therefore, we’ve compiled this quick resource guide for ADA-compliant signage.
What Signs Must be ADA Compliant?
ADA guidelines require that any sign identifying a permanent room or space have braille text. In those cases, Grade 2 braille should be used. Signs must meet specific requirements and specifications regarding the size, height, and location of braille characters.
The ADA does not require that temporary signs be compliant when used in a room whose function might change (i.e. a classroom that may occasionally be used as a science lab but may also be used for history).
What are the Regulations for ADA Signage?
1. RAISED CHARACTERS AND BRAILLE
Letters and numerals of SANS SERIF or SIMPLE SERIF type should be raised 1/32 in, with Grade 2 Braille accompanying them. There should be at least 5/8 inch (16 mm) of space between raised characters, but no more than 2 inches (50 mm).
83339 
83323 
83336
83323 – All Gender W/ Wheelchair Symbol – ADA Braille Tactile Sign
83336 – No Cellphones W/ Symbol – ADA Braille Tactile Sign
2. PICTOGRAMS
The pictogram (if provided) should be accompanied by its equivalent verbal description, directly beneath the pictogram. Pictograms are figures that depict what the words are stating. The height of the pictogram’s border must be not less than 6 in (152 mm). (This does not mean the pictogram must be 6 inches high, but everything must fit within a minimum border of 6 inches.)
3. FINISH AND CONTRAST
A sign’s characters and background should be matte, eggshell, or another non-glare finish. Symbols and characters should contrast with their backgrounds – either light over dark or dark over light.
4. MOUNTING LOCATION
The signage should be located adjacent to the latch side of the door (including double-leaf doors), not on the door itself. Individuals who are visually impaired are instructed to locate the door handle, then to look for a sign on the wall adjacent to it. By placing the sign on the door, or on the wrong side of the door, the person risks being struck by an opening door, or even missing it altogether.
5. MOUNTING HEIGHT
To mount the sign, you will need to mount it at a height of 60 inches (1525 mm) above the finish floor. The signage location should be positioned so a person can approach the signage within 3 inches (76 mm) without being obstructed by protruding objects or standing in the swing of a door.
6. DIRECTIONAL SIGNS
Parts of the guidelines also apply to signs providing directions to functional areas of a building. Adding an accessibility symbol to a directional sign is required when there is not an accessible entrance at every entrance of the building. In providing directions, the signage should be positioned so that it does not lead to a person to an inaccessible entrance.
Directional signs should be installed in non-accessible restrooms and point the user to the accessible restroom. The same applies to non-accessible telephones. A symbol for accessibility must also appear on these signs.
ADA311 
ADA310 
GBR10
ADA310 – Entrance (Right Arrow) ADA Sign
GBR10 – Glow In The Dark ADA Braille Sign
7. INFORMATIONAL SIGNS
Informational signs might be placed at assembly areas to indicate the presence of accessible seating and available listening aids. A sign like this would be posted at the ticket counter.
From labels and tags to ADA Braille Signs, Emedco has all the products you need to keep workers safe and compliant in your facilities. Just give our team of professionals a call at (866) 748-5963 or visit Emedco.com to find safety solutions for every challenge.