Are you sure your signs are ADA compliant? These sign mistakes can lead to compliance issues.
While many businesses comply with the signage requirements issued by the American Disabilities Act (ADA), not all organizations get the design, installation, and mounting right. The slightest of negligence in following ADA guidelines can lead to mistakes, making them less useful for your clients.
Here are some common ADA signage mistakes that you should avoid:
Missing or Incorrect Positioning of Braille
ADA gives clear guidelines regarding the positioning, cell spacing and structure of the dots. Each sign should feature Grade II Braille, which should be placed a minimum of 3/8” away from the edges and other elements of the sign.
Small or Large Symbols or Text
Another common ADA signage mistake is to ignore the rule pertaining to tactile characters when there’s not enough room on the sign with Braille. Keep in mind that the tactile characters must be 5/8” and 2” in depth. They should all be in upper case. Bigger characters are not always good. Symbols must be accompanied by verbal text right below them, while pictograms should maintain a 6-inch field height.
Absence of the ISA Symbol
This mistake can get you a default notice at any time. Facilities that offer accessibility are required by law to have the International Symbol of Accessibility (ISA) sign.
Incorrect Installation Height
Even if you’ve followed all other ADA signage guidelines, merely installing your ADA sign at the wrong height can get you in trouble. When installed on walls, “the tactile characters on signs must be a maximum of 60” above the finished floor, measured from the baseline of the highest tactile character, and a minimum of 48”, measured from the baseline of the lowest tactile character.”
Please remember that the height requirements for exterior parking signs and overhead signs are different from ADA signs placed on walls.
Not Getting Your ADA Sign Inspected
Before opening your business facility to the public, you must invite the Fire Marshall who will inspect your ADA compliant signs. This is extremely important if you own a hospital, restaurant, and city office. The inspection serves as an approval for facility opening. If you fail to get the signage inspected, you might be forced to close if you don’t have signs that meet ADA standards.
Incorrect Text Spacing
Letter spacing or kerning is a key element of ADA signage. Between any two closest points of tactile characters, you must ensure 1/8” spacing, based on the updated ADA standards. Since it’s a tricky requirement, you can end making this mistake without even realizing it.
Final Word
In summary, ADA sign requirements include specific, minute details that can be easily missed by business owners. That’s the reason you should rely on an experienced signage company that has been designing ADA compliant signs for organizations.
