Are you a business with questions about adhering to ADA regulations and implementing wayfinding signage?
Late President George Bush signed the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in the late 1990s. The act’s purpose was to defend the civil rights of citizens with disabilities so that they have equal access to both resources and employment.
Since its inception, the act has gone through various changes and improvements. In 2016 the Congress enacted the ADA to clarify the act and specify the definition of disability.
According to the ADA, all organizations that are open to the public must ensure equal access to the disabled. This means that businesses and organizations should be inclusive and look for ways to integrate the disabled in the mix.
Businesses are required to install wayfinding signs to get the required Certificate of Occupancy. Many companies make the mistake of ignoring the requirements until they are fined for the violation by the authorities. The use of ADA compliant signs allows businesses to serve all the clients regardless of the disability they are suffering from.
Guidelines for ADA compliance
The ADA specifies instructions for all organizations to follow. The idea is to ensure that the signs are of great help for the disabled.
The position and the mounting of the signs are mandated at the instructions of the ADA. The act specifies that you should hang signs in rooms with certain doors.
The height of the sign should also comply with the ADA requirements. According to the act, businesses should place tactile signs at a distance of at least 40 inches from the ground. The exit point of a retail store should make use of both visual and tactile signs.
When using pictograms, you should ensure that they have a height of a minimum of 6 inches. Avoid using Braille and characters, and a non-glare finish in the field of pictogram.
There is also a set of contrasts that all pictograms should follow. Place text descriptors directly below the pictogram field.
You are also required to follow the sans serif typestyle necessary for an ADA compliant sign. Following the specifications will provide the disabled with a unique system that they can rely on.
ADA compliant signs
According to the law, not all signs are required to be ADA compliant. Many signs remain exempt from the watchful eye of the state.
Pylon signs and exterior signs are some signs, exempt from the regulations. Here are some types of signs that require compliance.
- Wayfinding signs
- Bathroom signs
- Signs for room identification.
The truth is that in a modern, inclusive environment, you are required to use ADA signs almost everywhere.
Given the somewhat complicated nature of signs, you need a professional to install signage according to the set requirements.
