ADA Signage Requirements: What You Need to Know

The
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
is a civil rights law that protects the rights of individuals with
disabilities in public and private places open to the public. These
spaces are legally required to use signs that are visible and accessible
to everyone, including wheelchair users and people with low vision and
other types of visual impairment.

Signages for businesses, government facilities, and public spaces must
meet the ADA standards to help ensure accessibility and inclusivity to
people with disabilities and to avoid hefty fines and penalties.

What are ADA-Compliant Signs?

ADA-compliant signs have specific design features and placement that
make them legible and understandable for people with visual impairments.

Commercial and public spaces must have ADA-compliant signs in these key
areas:

Restrooms

Parking areas

Exit and emergency routes

Elevators

Stairways

Room identification

Doors

Transportation facilities

Check-out aisles

Waiting areas

Public telephones

Amusement parks

Ramp and wheelchair access

Key ADA Signage Requirements

One of the primary goals of the ADA is to standardize signs by making
them legible and universally understood by people with disabilities.
Thus, ADA-compliant signages have these key features:

1. Raised characters

The characters (letters and numbers) should be raised at least 1/32”
to allow reading by touch. In addition, the minimum height of
characters is based on their height above the finish floor and the
horizontal viewing distance.

Height	Viewing Distance	Minimum Character Height
40″ to 70″	Under 6′ 6′ or more	5/8″ 5/8″ + 1/8″ per foot of viewing distance above 6’
Above 70″ to 10′	Under 15′ 15′ or more	2″ 2″ + 1/8″ per foot of viewing distance above 15′
Above 10′	Under 21′ 21′ or more	3″ 3″ + 1/8″ per foot of viewing distance above 21′

2. Tactile text

Braille, a tactile writing system used by visually impaired
individuals to read, should be located directly below the text.
Tactile requirements apply to these signs:

interior and exterior signs identifying permanent spaces – door
labels at exit passageways, stairways, and discharge;
rail station identification signs at entrances and platforms; and
labels for floor levels, emergency communication devices at
elevators, and car controls.

3. High contrast

A high contrast between the text and the background can promote
excellent readability. Black text on a white background is a great
example of this. Characters that contrast with their background by
at least 70% are more legible than characters with a lower
contrast ratio.

4. Non-glare finish

A flat, non-reflective finish makes a sign readable under various
lighting conditions.

5. Simple and readable fonts

Sans serif fonts are an excellent choice because they don’t have small
strokes or extensions at the end of letters, making them easy to read.
By contrast, cursive, italic, unusual, and decorative fonts are
avoided.

6. Pictograms

Signs with graphic symbols that designate permanent rooms or spaces
should have braille characters directly below the pictogram field.
They should be at least 6 inches in height, have a non-glare finish,
and possess a high color contrast with their background

7. Clear and consistent layout

Signs should have their elements arranged based on the order of
importance so people can understand the message easily.

These standardized features are designed to promote safety and ease of
navigation to everyone, including individuals with disabilities.

Placement and Mounting Requirements

The ADA requires signs to be mounted at a “visible” height for standing
and seated users.

Raised characters and braille texts must be 48 inches to 60 inches above
the finish floor or ground surface (when measured from the baseline of
the highest tactile character). This placement is conducive to tactile
reading.

Additionally, there should be at least 18 inches of clearance around the
tactile characters, and they must be located beyond the arc of a door
when opened at a 45-degree angle. This placement aims to provide
unobstructed standing space to allow people to read the signs by touch.

Benefits of ADA-Compliant Signage Beyond Legal Requirements

Complying with the ADA signage requirements is not just about avoiding
hefty fines, lawsuits, and other legal implications. You can reap a long
list of benefits when you use signs that adhere to the standards.

1. Enhanced Customer Experience

With ADA-compliant signage, people can navigate the premises
conveniently and safely. Remember, improving customer experience
is the key to repeat business, customer loyalty, and your
company’s long-term success.

In addition, effective wayfinding signs reduce frustration and
delays for everyone, not just individuals with disabilities.
Families with strollers, first-time customers or visitors, and
older people can also benefit from ADA-compliant signages.

2. Improved Brand Image and Reputation

Businesses that demonstrate social responsibility and inclusivity
are often seen as progressive, trustworthy, and compassionate.
This positive public perception can help them stand out from the
competition and enjoy customer loyalty.

3. Enhanced Employee Productivity and Morale

Using ADA-compliant signs creates a more inclusive and accessible
workplace, which benefits everyone, including employees with
disabilities who can work efficiently and safely.

Companies that demonstrate their commitment to accessibility and
inclusivity also enjoy better recruitment opportunities and
increased employee satisfaction.

4. Government Grants and Funding Opportunities

Having ADA-compliant signs could help you qualify for certain
government grants and funding, especially for improving accessibility
and inclusivity.

Many government-funded programs for community services and
infrastructure prioritize projects that can help improve the lives of
people with disabilities.

5. Long-term Cost Savings

Maintaining and auditing ADA-compliant signs periodically demonstrates
your commitment to improving your facility’s accessibility. Moreover,
it can help you prevent expensive retrofitting and compliance issues
in the future.

Most Common ADA Signage Mistakes You Should Avoid

Here are the most common mistakes when designing and installing signs.
These oversights not only violate the ADA standards but also make the
signs ineffective and misleading.

1. Incorrect Placement

Signs mounted too high or too low may not be easily seen by the
public. According to the ADA guidelines, they should be mounted at a
height where both standing and seated individuals (such as wheelchair
users) can read them easily.

Installing signs in poorly lit areas and close to obstructions like
shrubs and trash bins can also make them ineffective.

2. Lack of Tactile Text and Braille

The ADA requires specific types of signs to meet the tactile
requirements. These signs are typically used to help people navigate
buildings easily (e.g., floor-level signs) and lead them to safety
during emergencies (e.g., exit stairway signs). Failure to include
tactile characters may lead to accidents and lawsuits.

3. Poor Contrast

An example of poor color contrast would be a combination of white and
light yellow, which is difficult to read due to the lack of light and
dark color separation between them.

Also, green-red and yellow-blue color combinations present challenges
to many people with color blindness, while white text on a black
background may create a visual fuzzing effect for people with
corrective lenses.

4. Hard-to-Read Fonts

Fonts with irregular and elaborate shapes can make signs difficult to
read. The same is true for tightly packed fonts in which the letters
overlap and look squashed, creating difficulty for certain readers.

Even if elaborate fonts are used sparingly as headings, they are still
challenging to read because of their irregular letter shapes, forcing
individuals to pause or move closer to the sign to examine the
characters.

5. Non-standard Symbols

The ADA uses icons from the International Symbol of Accessibility
(ISA). These are also adopted by the International Organization for
Standardization, a group of over 160 national standard-setting
entities.

The ISA must be used even if a state or local code specifies a
different symbol unless the alternative offers “substantially
equivalent or greater accessibility and usability.”

6. Lack of Information

Lack of information (e.g., room number) and key features (e.g., raised
and braille characters) can pose difficulties to people with visual
impairments.

Permanent room number and informational content (e.g., Accounting)
should meet the ADA requirements, while the occupant’s name and title
are exempt.

7. Poorly Maintained Signs

Signs that are dusty, faded, and obstructed by overgrown plants may
cause confusion, delays, and even accidents. Poorly maintained signage
can also lead to negative perceptions of a business.

Signs used in commercial and public spaces should undergo regular
inspection, cleaning, and maintenance to help people navigate
buildings conveniently and safely.

5 Ways to Ensure Your Signs are ADA-Compliant

Follow these tips to ensure that your signs adhere to the ADA
standards.

Visit the
US Access
Board website to familiarize yourself with the ADA signage
requirements. This source will give you a clear insight into
regulations for signs, including their proper placement and
specific design features. Pay close attention to the signs in
your facility that must comply (e.g., restrooms, exit signs,
room labels, and directional signs).

Work with signage providers who understand the ADA requirements
and can provide tips to help you avoid design mistakes.

Consider hiring an ADA consultant or an accessibility expert to
audit your signs and suggest improvements.

Conduct an accessibility audit periodically and collaborate with
real users (including individuals with disabilities). Testing
the accessibility of your signs can help you identify potential
issues you might have missed during installation.

Inspect signs regularly to ensure they are intact, visible, and
legible. Any damaged or faded signs should be replaced
immediately to maintain ADA compliance.

Legal Implications of Non-Compliance

Non-compliance with ADA signage standards can lead to costly legal
repercussions.

1. Lawsuits

Failure to meet the ADA requirements can expose your business to
lawsuits from individuals and advocacy groups representing people with
disabilities. If non-compliance affects a large number of people, you
may also face a costly class action lawsuit.

2. Compliance Orders

Courts and government agencies can order a business or facility to
adhere to the ADA signage requirements. Failure to make the necessary
changes and improvements could result in fines or legal action.

3. Loss of Government Contracts and Funding

Businesses and organizations that receive federal funding may lose
contracts and funding if they fail to comply with the ADA standards.

ADA-compliant signs have specific design features and placement to
accommodate people with disabilities, such as wheelchair users and
individuals with low vision and other types of visual impairment.

It’s critical to adhere to the ADA standards to enhance customer safety,
promote a positive brand reputation and image, avoid hefty fines and
lawsuits, and enjoy long-term cost savings.

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ADA Signage Requirements: What You Need to Know

What are ADA-Compliant Signs?