True Impact Signs is committed to enhancing accessibility through the careful design and installation of ADA-compliant signs. Understanding the importance of inclusivity, our process is meticulously tailored to meet the specific needs of each client while strictly adhering to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) guidelines.
The Design and Customization Process
At True Impact Signs, our ADA-compliant sign creation process perfectly blends creativity with adherence to accessibility standards. Our team expertly selects fonts, sizes, and contrasts to ensure readability for all, including those with visual impairments. We prioritize customization within compliance, offering a variety of materials, colors, and finishes. From sleek acrylics to durable metals, our signs are designed to be both visually appealing and fully accessible, ensuring they meet legal standards while enhancing your space. This approach allows us to deliver signs that are not just compliant but also align with your brand’s aesthetics.
Compliance Essentials for ADA Signs
When designing and installing ADA-compliant signs, there are several critical requirements to ensure accessibility and compliance:
Tactile and Visual Requirements:
- Raised Characters: Must be tactile (able to be felt by touch) with Grade 2 Braille for accessibility.
- Non-Glare Finish and Color Contrast: To aid in visibility, signs must have a non-glare finish and sufficient color contrast between the background and the characters.
- Placement: Tactile signs should be placed at a uniform height (between 48 inches and 60 inches from the ground) beside or on doors, making them easier to locate and read by touch.
Specific Areas and Items Marked:
- Means of Egress Signs: Exit doors, stairways, and exit passageways must have tactile and visual signs, with visual signs also provided for other exit-related information.
- Elevator Signs: Elevators require tactile signs for floor designations, with raised characters and Braille. Control buttons and emergency communication devices in elevators also need to be marked with tactile signs.
Technical Specifications for Tactile Characters:
- Character Depth and Style: Characters must be raised a minimum of 1/32 inch, using upper case, sans serif font styles. Italic, oblique, script, and other decorative styles are prohibited.
- Character Height and Spacing: The height for raised characters must range between 5/8 inch and 2 inches, with specific spacing requirements to ensure readability by touch.
- Braille Specifications: Braille must be Grade 2, domed or rounded in shape, and positioned below the corresponding text. There are specific spacing and dimension requirements for Braille to ensure it can be read effectively.
Elevator Signage Requirements:
- Identification and Wayfinding: Elevators must be identified with ADA-compliant tactile signs. Signs inside elevator door jams must mark the floor number in raised text and Braille, including a raised visual image of a star for the ground floor.
- Elevator Control Buttons: Must be marked with numbers in both tactile text and Braille, adhering to specific size and spacing requirements to ensure usability for all.
Pictogram Requirements:
- Use of Pictograms: While not required for all signs, pictograms are essential for identifying accessible facilities and providing emergency information. The ADA standards specify a 6-inch vertical field on signs for pictograms, free of all other content, ensuring clarity and visibility.
Enhance Accessibility with True Impact Signs
Now that you know the basics of ADA signs, its time to begin work on your custom sign system. Contact True Impact Signs today to start your journey toward a more inclusive and compliant space.
