The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was enacted in 1990. The legislation provides civil rights protections to individuals with disabilities in employment, public accommodations, transportation, and telecommunications. The ADA also establishes requirements for government facilities and services.
One rule requires businesses and other public accommodations provide accessible signs. This means, signs must be visible and legible to people with vision impairments, and they must also be accessible to people who are deaf or hard of hearing.
What are Tactile Signs?
Tactile signs are read by touch. They are often combined with other types of signage elements, such as Braille, to make them readable by people with different disabilities.
Tactile signs are typically made from Fiberglass or ACM (aluminum composite material). These materials are durable and weather resistant, making them ideal for use in both indoor and outdoor environments.
Why Use Tactile Signs?
Tactile signs are an important part of making public places accessible for everyone. By providing raised lettering, symbols, and braille, these signs enable people to navigate their surroundings and find the information they need.
In addition to being required by the ADA, tactile signs help deaf and hard of hearing people. This is because these signs provide visual cues to supplement legible information. For example, a tactile sign with an arrow pointing toward a fire exit helps visually impaired people find their way to safety in an emergency.
What are the Requirements for Tactile Signs?
Several requirements must be met for a sign to be considered compliant with the ADA. These requirements include:
- Easy to read font: The letters must be of a certain height and width and spaced appropriately. The font must be a sans serif font, meaning the letters do not have decorative flourishes.
- Contrasting colors: The background and the text on tactile signs must be of contrasting colors. This makes the sign easier to read.
- Raised lettering and symbols: This can be achieved through embossing, engraving, and other similar methods. The raised lettering and symbols must be at least 1/32 of an inch high.
- Braille: Braille must be raised at least 1/32 of an inch high and in a standard DOT braille font.
There are also several other requirements which must be met for a sign to be compliant with the ADA including:
- Must be mounted at the appropriate height
- Must be in a well-lit area or lit externally
- Must be made from durable materials
- Must be free of sharp edges
If you have any questions about tactile signs and the ADA, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us, FASTSIGNS® of Louisville, KY. Our experts are happy to assist you.
