ADA signs must comply with the government rules but they can look great too!
ADA compliant Braille signage is a great product to add to your business to help it grow. Yes, it can be confusing… but it doesn’t have to be. Signs PDQ offers TRUE WHOLESALE PRICING on ADA/Braille signage. The America Disabilities Act (ADA) requires specific signage criteria, such as spacing, specific font size and design. These standards need to be met in order for a sign to be considered compliant. To be able to effectively help your customer with their ADA project sign must meet all the ADA requirements.
Do not worry! Signs PDQ can help you from estimate through completion of your ADA sign project. Our ADA team is aware of the ADA rules and regulations.
Simply put…here are some basics about ADA. What is ADA? The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a civil rights law that was initiated in 1992. The main objective is to “prohibit discrimination and ensure equal opportunity for persons with disabilities in employment, state and local government services, public accommodations, commercial facilities, and transportation,” according to ada.gov. In March of 2011 the Department of Justice updated the ADA regulations (title III) that are now in effect.
How does this affect signage? The ADA requires all public places to install ADA compliant signage that includes tactile lettering, Grade II Braille and in some cases, pictograms. The term “ADA signs” is commonly used in reference to the construction, architectural and signage industries. All signage that is considered “architectural” must comply with ADA signage guidelines. Signage that is used to describe rooms, company logos and identification or individual’s names, does not have to meet ADA signage regulations. For branding sake, signs for these areas will match the specs of those original ADA signs.
Grade 2 Braille is the ADA approved type and the most commonly used, since it takes up less space. For example Grade 3 is the least utilized and accepted version. The basic elements of an ADA compliant sign is the base plate which is the platform everything is attached to. Tactile Lettering are raised 1/32” above the background of the sign. ADA regulations require Grade II Braille it allows for contractions that greatly reduce the number of characters used.
A pictogram is an International symbol made in the same fashion as tactile lettering. Examples of common pictograms are all kinds of restrooms, stairs, phone, & no smoking. Although pictograms are usually made with the same 1/32” gauge material as the tactile lettering, they are not required to be tactile; yet they are required to fit in a field that is a minimum of 6 inches in height. Again, where branding of these signs is concerned, an entire building should have the same “look” thus tactile pictograms exist! Remember…pictograms are not required on all signs. General office signs, room numbers, etc., that are not associated with an International symbol would not require pictograms.
The ADA department of Signs PDQ looks forward to working with you. Contact us at quotes@signspdq.com. Check out our ADA website.
