Not sure if you need ADA signs? Read to get the answer and call your local sign fabrication company to design ADA signs for you.
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was passed in 1990 with an aim to provide the same level of opportunities to people with disabilities as those available to other people. Based on this act, businesses are required to comply with the ADA signage requirements to ensure the convenience and safety of all customers. Let’s start by determining whether your business needs to have ADA signage or not.
Does Your Business Need to Have ADA Signage?
Many of us have seen ADA restroom signs and ADA Braille signs at airports, hospitals, and other business facilities so many times that we don’t think much about them. As a business owner, however, you must have given a thought to whether you need them. Most businesses open to the public absolutely need them. Whether you own a small or a large business, if your facility accommodates customers, it has to have ADA signs. These might include ADA Braille signs, ADA restroom signs, ADA parking signs, and more.
However, if your business doesn’t have a zoned office, perhaps because you work remotely for your clients, you obviously won’t need ADA signage. Likewise, your business is exempted from the ADA signage requirement if you serve customers at their place or business facility. Even if you’re liable to meet ADA signage requirements, you may be granted exemptions for certain rules such as having fewer than 15 employees.
Meeting the ADA Requirements
ADA signage requirements issue rules for sign elements such as Braille lettering, easy to read font, use of sans serif, and more. The rules apply to all permanent spaces and rooms that must have ADA signage to provide identification. For example, safety signs identifying stairwells, passageways, and doors at discharge all need to be ADA-compliant. These typically need to include Raised characters and Braille copies. While overhead, wall-mounted, and flag-mounted signs don’t require a tactile copy, they need to follow other ADA guidelines.
Just as certain businesses are exempt from meeting ADA signage requirements, not all signs need to meet ADA compliance requirements. Sign types that are exempt from the rule include company logos, building directories, menus, names, row or seat designations in assembly areas, occupant names, parking signs other than those for accessible parking spaces, and any temporary sign that’s supposed to be used for not more than a week.
Consequences of Not Meeting ADA Signage Requirements
Not meeting ADA signage requirements can prove stressful and costly for your business. If a visitor feels that they’ve been discriminated against because of missing or non-compliant ADA signage, they can file a lawsuit against your company. You may end up paying up to $75,000 for the first violation and $150,000 for every subsequent violation. Not to forget the damage that might be caused to your brand image as a result. A happy visitor may not share their thoughts with others, but an angry customer won’t lose any opportunity to hurt your image in their social circle.
Call a local Sign Fabrication Company
If you do need ADA signage or feel that your existing ADA signs aren’t fully compliant with the official guidelines, call an experienced sign fabrication company that has been creating ADA signs for businesses.
For fully compliant ADA signs, contact The Sign Studio today.
