Custom ADA-Compliant Signs
Shop From Seattle SignCo LLC
We all come across numerous signs in a day, and most of the time, we don’t even notice them. Still, for some people, those signs are the only way they can move ahead in their day and perform most of their daily activities in public places.
While all signs serve the same purpose, did you know some signs are designed for a special audience, and have a different purpose? Even though we might not realize and treat all signs equally, the signage industry has taken a step toward making public life easier for disabled and specially-abled people by introducing ADA-compliant signs.
If you don’t know what ADA-compliant signs are, let’s learn about them.
What Are ADA-Compliant Signs?
ADA sign is a special type of facility signage. Before understanding ADA-compliant signs, it’s important to know what ADA is. ADA refers to the “American Disabilities Act” which introduced ADA signage to provide better access to disabled, visually impaired, and blind people. Hence, ADA-compliant signs are a type of signage that complies with this act.
According to the American Disabilities Act, most buildings, including public and commercial buildings, must include ADA-compliant signs in their facilities. As mentioned in the ADA-Sign guidance, the signs must have specific features. Most people often confuse ADA signs with braille signs, and even though braille is a vital aspect of ADA signs, there is more to them.
How Does Signage Become ADA-Compliant?
Certain features and specific requirements for a sign to be considered ADA-compliant exist. Here are some of them:
1. Corresponding Braille Text
As mentioned above, braille signs are often considered synonymous with ADA-compliant signs even though, in true essence, they are both different. However, braille is still an important feature of ADA signs, and the American Disabilities Act requires ADA-compliant signs to have braille characters and written text on an ADA sign. This clause is to make sure the sign caters to blind people in public places and government buildings.
2. Non-Glare Finish
Non-glare means a surface with reduced or eliminated reflective and bright light glare. Most older people or people with impaired vision cannot process reflection or glare, making it difficult to reach the signs. Hence, ADA-compliant signs are specifically required for background and characters that do not cause reflection or glare. For this, you can get the sign made matte.
3. Higher Level of Contrast
Just like non-reflective and non-glare surfaces are easier to read, signs with a high contrast level are easier to process and read. When the contrast level is not taken care of, the characters tend to blend in with the background, making it difficult to read.
ADA-compliant signs have a high contrast between the characters and the sign’s background, enough for the characters to stand out. Therefore, most ADA signs have a white background with black or dark-colored text and vice versa.
4. Appropriate and Readable Font and Characters
Signs are made to be read and understood by the general public; otherwise, they lose their purpose. ADA signs need to have a larger font so they are easily visible and readable from a distance by people with weak eyesight. Moreover, they must have a simple, easy-to-understand, and bold font. Most ADA signs use sans serif fonts like Helvetica and Verdana. The font must not be italic, oblique, script, or fancy and highly decorative.
If you are in Woodinville and want to get ADA-compliant signs for your business or commercial building, contact Seattle SignCo LLC!
