Are you wondering whether or not the signage you have is in compliance with the ADA?
Skip the worry and contact Georgetown Sign Company for unique, ADA-compliant signage.
Although traditional, signage has been long known to attract customer attraction and boost sales significantly. It is a simple yet effective way to spread the word about your brand to ensure it stands apart from the many competitors around. But to make these signs accessible for your entire target audience, it is vital to ensure that they are readable and accessible to every individual despite their disabilities or difficulties.
This is where the ADA, or the Americans with Disabilities Act, comes into effect. In order to ensure that your signage is accessible to everyone, you need to make sure it adheres to the guidelines put forth by the ADA.
What is the ADA?
Enacted in 1990, the Americans with Disabilities Act is a diverse civil rights law that aims to stop discrimination based on disability. It covers all aspects of public life, including employment, transportation, public accommodations, and telecommunications.
The ADA Standards for Accessible Design were first published in 1991, and they’ve been updated several times since then. The most recent version of the standards went into effect on March 15, 2012.
What are the Requirements for Signage?
Compliance with the ADA Standards means following the detailed specifications for accessible design set forth in the standards. The process of achieving compliance can be complex, but it’s important to remember that compliance is not an all-or-nothing proposition. In other words, you don’t have to achieve perfection in order to be in compliance.
There are several requirements for signage that must be met in order for it to be considered ADA-compliant. These requirements include
- Signs must be readable by people with visual impairments
- Signs must be visible
- Signs must be located in an easily accessible location
- Signs must be mounted at the correct height
- Signs must use the correct typeface
- Signs must have adequate contrast
- Signs must be free of glare
Visibility: The most important thing for any sign is that it should be visible from a distance. This is especially important for those with vision impairments which might not be able to see signs that are placed too high or too low. For such individuals, it is important that the text on the sign is large and legible so that they can easily read it.
Contrast: Another important factor to consider is the contrast between the text and the background. This is important for those with low vision or color blindness who might have difficulty reading signs that have low contrast. For such individuals, it is important that the text is dark against a light background or vice versa.
Braille: For those who are blind or have severe vision impairments, it is important to provide braille on your signage so that they can easily read it.
Audio: In addition to braille, you can also provide an audio output on your signage so that individuals with visual impairments can easily understand what the sign says.
Location: It is also important to place your signs in locations that are easily accessible and visible to everyone. This includes placing them at a level that can be easily reached by those in wheelchairs or with other mobility impairments.
Buy unique and innovative ADA-compliant signage from Georgetown Sign Company!
If you are on the hunt for attention-grabbing, ADA-compliant signage, feel free to reach us at Georgetown Sign Company. Our professionals have years of experience and expertise in designing and manufacturing signs that not only look stunning but also keep you on the right side of the law.
