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If you are a business owner or manager considering making adjustments to your existing facilities or building a new facility, there is good news. In 2010, the ADA Standards for Accessible Design (Standards) were published by the U.S. Access Board to clarify and encourage consistency in providing access for people with disabilities – individuals with a mental or physical impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities.
Americans with Disabilities Act
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) has become a critical piece of legislation for designing and constructing public and private buildings. Communities benefit from ADA requirements because the bill makes spaces more accessible to the public. The guidelines that help make this happen are ADA Standards for Accessible Design. These standards apply to all new construction, alterations, additions, and major renovations to existing facilities constructed by federal, state, and local governments. These accommodations may include:
- Alterations in work policies to allow more flexible work schedules or break times for employees who use wheelchairs or are blind;
- Providing sign language interpreters for deaf workers;
- Allowing workers with mental health issues time off from work if they need it; and
- Allowing employees to take time off work for medical procedures related to their disabilities.
ADA Sign Guidelines & Regulations
ADA sign guidelines require all doors leading into a building to be marked by ADA-compliant signs indicating if the space is accessible by wheelchair users or if it has any other special access considerations such as an elevator or ramp. These are important to note so those with mobility issues or other impairments can plan their routes accordingly.
The ADA also requires that all public entrances have non-glare signage so everyone can see them clearly no matter what time of day or night they visit your business.
These signs must be placed at eye level so everyone can read them easily when walking by or standing near them. They also need to be visible from all directions — both sides if possible — so that everyone can see them regardless of their direction of travel through a building or facility.
In addition to these basic requirements, there are also specific rules about how large signs should be made, where they should be placed, and what kind of materials can be used when creating them.
ADA Signage Common Uses
ADA Signs compliant signs are required to be posted at appropriate locations in facilities where the public is invited or has access to the premises, such as:
Restrooms – The Department of Justice requires all accessible toilet stalls to be outfitted with signage indicating whether the booth is for use by men or women. A restroom with more than one stall must have a sign on each door providing this information.
Parking Spaces – Parking spaces designated for use by persons with disabilities must include signage indicating that they are reserved for people with disabilities only.
Handicapped Emergency Phones – These phones are also telecommunication devices for deaf persons. They allow people who are hard of hearing or deaf to communicate over the telephone using sign language or written messages.
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If you are making physical changes to your property, you may need alterations to your parking lot, sidewalks, entrances, and more. These modifications will help ensure your business is accessible to all who wish to access it. The ADA signage requirements are precise, so if you are unsure what kind of sign you need or where it should be placed, consult with Image Signs of McKinney for assistance.
