ADA Signage Requirements for Business

If you own an in-person business with 15 or more employees, then it’s important for you to understand the ADA signage requirements determined by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The ADA requires companies with places of public accommodation to remove any physical barriers to accommodate their customers with disabilities. All new construction must comply with these standards, but there are exceptions for old buildings built before the law was enacted.

Read on to learn everything you need to know about ADA signage requirements for your company, including how to install compliant ADA floor signs.

What is ADA Signage?

Let’s start with the basics: what is ADA signage? The Americans with Disabilities Act was enacted to prevent discrimination and ensure all businesses are accessible for those with disabilities. ADA signage includes signs with images and braille so people who are blind, visually impaired, or otherwise unable to read standard text can navigate a business efficiently. All ADA signage must be conveniently located and easy to read through visuals or touch.

As of 2020, businesses or organizations that don’t comply with ADA signage requirements can face a fine of up to $100,000 for a first offense and $200,000 for subsequent violations. Because of this, it’s essential to know and understand what makes a sign ADA compliant, ADA interior sign requirements, and how to install ADA signs in your office.

ADA Signage FAQs

When your company complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act, your business becomes more inclusive and accessible for employees and patrons. Follow the guidelines carefully to ensure you understand the regulations and placement options for these signs.

What Makes a Sign ADA Compliant?

All ADA signs must comply with the ADA Standards for Accessible Design and include the following features to be ADA compliant signs:

High contrast ratio, so the background color contrasts with the image on the sign
A non-glare finish
Text characters in sans serif or serif font, not italicized, condensed, or extra bold, and ranging between 5/8 of an inch and 2 inches in height
Grade 2 Braille, although some states require other spacing and sizing requirements
Appropriate images, such as stairs or restroom signs, when applicable

Proper installation is also an important factor of ADA compliant signs. To ensure your signs are installed correctly, follow these ADA Signage Installation Guidelines:

Tactile characters must be between 48 to 60 inches from the ground, measuring from the base of the characters to the floor.
For single doors, mount the sign on the latch side of the door.
For double doors with two active leaves, mount the sign on the wall to the right of the right-handed door.
For double doors with one active leaf, mount the sign on the inactive leaf.
For inward swinging doors, mount the sign on the wall
For outward swinging doors, mount the sign on the wall, 18” from the door.

Where are ADA Signs Required?

ADA interior sign requirements affect any permanent rooms or areas in your building that pertain to the safety of both employees and customer safety, such as restrooms, vending areas, room numbers, floor numbers, and door signs. ADA signs also need to be placed at every entrance and exit in your building, both on the interior and exterior walls.

Ensure Your Business Has Proper Safety Signage in 2022

Your business building must have ADA compliant signs to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act. However, that’s not all the signage you need to ensure a safe and accessible business. When it comes to reopening your office amid COVID-19, your business will also require signs to direct and explain to employees and customers how to engage with your business in the safest way possible. At Safely6ft™, you will find the COVID-19 signs for doors, walls, and windows, as well as social distancing signs for floors and tabletops that you need to help accomplish this.

Make your business, restaurant, educational facility, or place of employment the healthiest and safest place possible for all as you explore options for new ADA signage or updated COVID-19 business signs from Safely6ft™ today!