New to ADA Signage? Here’s The Skinny
At Excel Lighting and Signs, we create ADA-compliant braille signs that do more than just check off legal requirements – they make businesses easier to navigate and more welcoming for everyone. These aren’t just ordinary plaques; they’re a key part of making public spaces accessible for people who depend on tactile signs, braille dots, and raised characters to find their way around.
You might hear these referred to as braille signs, tactile braille signs, or ADA signage, but no matter what you call them, their job is the same – providing clear, easy-to-read markers for those who need them most. Federal guidelines, including the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Standards for Accessible Design (SAD), spell out exactly how these signs must be designed and installed. Whether you’re going it alone, looking for some basics on sign design for ADA compliance, or looking for a supplier, this article will give you some of the basics.
Key Takeaways
- ADA Braille Signs Are Legally Required – Any business, public building, or commercial space must have ADA-compliant braille signs installed at key locations to meet federal accessibility laws.
- Proper Design Matters – ADA signage must follow specific guidelines for font size, color contrast, raised lettering, and Grade 2 braille to be readable by both sight and touch.
- Skipping Compliance Can Be Costly – Failing to install ADA-compliant signage can result in fines, lawsuits, and accessibility issues that impact your customers and your business’s reputation.
Where Are ADA Signs Required?
If a building is open to the public or operates as a commercial facility, it’s required to have ADA braille signs in specific locations. Boom.
That means every business, apartment complex, office space, and storefront must have proper signage next to doors and designated areas.
Size doesn’t matter – even the smallest office must comply. ADA requirements apply to all businesses, big or small, and skipping these signs isn’t an option. Whether it’s a permanent room or a shared public space, it needs proper ADA signage.
Key Requirements for ADA Signs and Braille Signs
Font, Contrast, and Readability
For a sign to serve its purpose, people need to read it, whether by sight or touch. That’s why ADA signage requirements are strict when it comes to:
- Font style and size
- Character spacing and line spacing
- Contrast between letters and background
- Stroke thickness and raised character height
Text can’t blend into the background. High contrast is required, such as dark text on a light background or vice versa, plus a non-glare finish to prevent visibility issues.
For those who love the details – the uppercase letter “I” should have a stroke thickness of 10% to 30% of the letter height, and the width of an uppercase letter “O” must be between 55% and 110% of the height of the uppercase letter “I”.
What About Tactile and Braille Requirements?
Any sign identifying a permanent room or accessible feature must include raised characters and Grade 2 braille below the text. These must have proper color contrast and a non-glare finish to ensure readability by both sight and touch.
For informational or directional signs, the text doesn’t need to be raised or in braille, but it still has to meet ADA requirements for legibility.
What Should ADA Signs Look Like?
Accessibility Symbols That Matter
Some spaces need more than just text – they require pictograms to clearly indicate accessibility. That’s why ADA-compliant signs frequently feature the International Symbol of Access and other standardized icons.
These symbols must be used consistently throughout a building so people instantly recognize their meaning, whether it’s for accessible parking spaces, assistive listening systems, or accessible entrances.
When Do Signs Need Pictograms?
Not every sign requires an image, but for safety devices, exit signs, and restroom signs, pictograms are the best option. The four primary icons required for ADA signage include:
- International Symbol of Accessibility (ISA)
- Symbol for text telephones (TTY/TTD)
- Volume control telephone icon
- International Symbol of Access for Hearing Loss
What Are the Rules for Braille on Signs?
Braille Font and Size Requirements
ADA braille signs aren’t just any raised dots, they must follow strict guidelines for braille cell size, spacing, and positioning.
One major mistake? Using recessed braille or stick-on braille strips – these are not compliant. Braille must be integrated into the sign itself, either molded or engraved onto the surface. (Pst, that’s what we do: ADA sign packages, designed in-house and shipped anywhere!)
Custom ADA Signs – A Solution for Every Business
At Excel Lighting and Signs, we don’t do one-size-fits-all. Every custom ADA sign or sign package we create is made to fit its location and function properly, whether it’s a braille sign for a hospital, tactile braille signage for a school, or accessibility signs for an office building.
We match existing styles or create entirely new designs, offering an extensive range of ADA-compliant color combinations to make sure each sign is clear, legible, and within regulations.
The Biggest ADA Sign Mistakes (and How to Avoid Them)
Think you’re covered just because you put up a sign? Think again – these are some of the most common ADA sign violations we see:
- Missing required signage
- No braille or incorrect braille spacing
- Insufficient color contrast
- Incorrect letter height or font style
- Spacing errors in raised lettering
Skipping any of these could lead to complaints, fines, or worse – a space that’s confusing for people who need clear ADA-compliant signage.
Who Enforces ADA Sign Compliance?
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) is responsible for enforcing ADA signage requirements. If a business doesn’t comply, it can face fines or even a federal lawsuit.
Need High-Quality ADA Signs? We’ve Got You Covered
At Excel Lighting and Signs, we don’t cut corners. Every ADA-compliant braille sign we make is crafted with accuracy, durability, and functionality in mind.
Whether you need custom ADA signs for an office, tactile signs for a school, or accessible parking signs for a retail space, we’ve got the expertise to get it done right.
Looking for custom signs or ADA compliant sign that meet the requirements and look professional? Give us a call – we’ll make sure you’re covered.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are braille symbols?
Braille symbols are small raised dots that form a language used by people who are visually impaired, allowing them to read through touch. Unified English Braille was developed by the International Council on English Braille (ICEB) to unify braille codes among English-speaking countries and to unify the braille symbols used in literary, mathematics and computing.
What are the ADA guidelines for braille signs?
ADA signage requirements state that braille signs must include Grade 2 braille, raised characters, non-glare finishes, and high color contrast for clear readability.
Are braille signs required in schools?
Yes, schools are public buildings, meaning they must follow ADA braille sign regulations to keep classrooms and common areas accessible.
How do blind people find braille signs?
ADA-compliant signs are installed in predictable locations – next to doors, at a standard height, making them easy to locate and read by touch.
Do all businesses need braille signs?
If a business is open to the public or operates as a commercial facility, it’s required by ADA requirements to have braille signage to assist people with disabilities, or signs identifying permanent rooms, or separate signs. That means exterior signs, too!
Looking for new custom signs in Kansas? Give us a call!
