The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a set of federal laws which protect the rights of individuals with disabilities. The ADA was enacted in 1990 and revised in 2010. Title III of the ADA requires businesses and organizations to make their facilities and services accessible to people with disabilities.
ADA Sign Requirements
The ADA Standards for Accessible Design contain specific requirements for signs. Some of these include:
- Signs must be mounted at an accessible height. This is typically between 48 and 60 inches from the bottom of the sign to the ground.
- Signs must be readable by people with vision impairments. They must be in a high-contrast color scheme. The sign must also have a non-glossy finish.
- Sign text must be large enough to be easily seen and read. The minimum size for text is 5/8 of an inch. This varies based on the size of the sign and the distance from which it needs to be read.
- Signs must be in an accessible location. They must be placed near the entrances of buildings and in a highly visible location.
- Signs must be tactile (have raised or embossed letters).
- Signs must be in both English and Braille.
ADA Requirements in Sacramento County
In Sacramento County, businesses and organizations must comply with the County's Accessibility Standards based on the ADA Standards for Accessible Design. The County's standards are more stringent in some respects than the ADA standards. For example, the County requires all signs include Braille and tactile (raised lettering), while the ADA only requires this for wayfinding signs.
The County of Sacramento enforces accessibility standards through its Building Division. Businesses and organizations who do not comply with the standards can be fined.
According to California law, any infringement of the ADA is a civil rights violation with a minimum statutory penalty of $4,000 plus attorney’s fees.
Suppose a disabled person encounters an issue with a building which does not comply with the ADA or California Building Code (CBC) standards. In this case, they are entitled to file a lawsuit and receive at least $4,000 in statutory damages and attorney's fees.
Choosing a Professional Sign Company
When choosing a sign company to produce ADA-compliant signs, ask about their experience and knowledge of the ADA standards. The sign company should be able to explain the requirements and help make signs to meet all standards.
We have over 30 years of experience in the sign industry and are familiar with all the latest ADA requirements. Contact us, FASTSIGNS® of Sacramento/Natomas Airport Area, CA, today for a free consultation.
