The need of ADA Signage in senior living facilities are a logistical and legal necessity. Therefore, it is so important to be aware of these needs in Pleasant Hill and the surrounding areas. The Americans with Disabilities Act goes much further then just signage. In this article however, we’ll focus on the ADA signage need. Sequoia Signs & Graphics is a full service sign company. We provide all services including, survey & consultation,  graphics design, fabrication and installation for ADA signage. In this article we’ll talk about how ADA Signage affect senior living facilities and the elements that are required to make a sign ADA Compliant.

How does ADA Signage affect Senior Living Facilities?

The Americans with Disabilities Act, signed into law in 1990, was signed to prevent discrimination against those with disabilities. The ADA is divided into five sections, where we will be focusing on section 2 and 3.

• Section 2 applies to hospitals, clinics, senior living facilities and other health-care services operated by the government.
• Section 3 applies to those entities that are privately owned and operated. Most facilities that provide housing and care to older adults fall under this section.

 Considering the above, Senior Living Facilities must be ADA Compliant. There are specific regulations related to the hallways, doorways, restrooms, handrails and elevators. However, let’s answer the question how ADA Signage affect Senior Living Facilities. All permanent rooms need to be provided with a door sign that complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act. These signs will aid the visually impaired with wayfinding. In addition, to the guidelines of the sign design they also need to be installed following the ADA installation Guidelines.

Design elements for ADA Signage

As mentioned, all door signs need to be designed following the ADA guidelines. At Sequoia Signs & Graphics we have the knowledge and experience of these guidelines in order to design ADA Compliant Signs. Below is a brief summary of these guidelines:

Braille & Tactile

All signs need to have tactile lettering & grade 2 braille. The braille should be a direct translation of the sign and must be placed directly under the copy. Furthermore, tactile lettering should be no bigger than 2” tall.

Font

The font used for ADA Signs must be sans serif and in all caps. Furthermore, the font must not be italic, script, bold or decorative in any way.

Non-Glare

ADA Signage has to be made from a non-glare or matte material in order to be compliant. Furthermore, textures must me kept to a minimum in order not to affect the readability of the braille.

Contrasting Colors

To be ADA Compliant you must used contrasting colors. Meaning there must be a minimum of 70% contrasting colors between the background and the sign copy. We hope this article has provided you with a better idea about the need of ADA Signage in Senior Living Facilities. Whether you are located in Pleasant Hill or anywhere else in the East Bay Area, contact us to schedule a sign consultation to start your next sign project. You can find our contact information here or call us directly at (925) 300-1066.