Understanding accessible signage is crucial for ensuring inclusivity and compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). This guide breaks down the ADA Standards for signs, focusing on What Signs Are Guides To Exits And Directions, and other essential aspects to create accessible environments.
Understanding ADA Sign Requirements
§216 of the ADA Standards mandates accessible signs for identifying accessible elements and spaces. These standards encompass visual and tactile aspects, crucial for individuals with varying visual abilities. Some signs are exempt from these requirements, including:
- Temporary signs (posted for 7 days or less)
- Building addresses and directories
- Occupant names, company names, and logos
- Menus
- Seat or row designations in assembly areas
- Signs in non-public areas of detention or correctional facilities
It’s important to remember that different accessibility provisions may apply based on the type of content provided on a single sign.
Decoding Tactile Signage
Tactile signs are specifically designed to be accessible to individuals who are blind or have low vision. The following types of signs require tactile elements:
- Interior and exterior signs identifying permanent rooms and spaces (§216.2)
- Required door labels at exit stairways, exit passageways, and exit discharge (§216.4.1)
- Required labels for floor levels, car controls, and emergency communication devices at elevators (§407.2.3.1, §407.2.3.2, §407.4.7.1.1, §407.4.9)
- Rail station identification signs at entrances and platforms or boarding areas (§810.6.1)
Permanent Room and Space Designations
§216.2 dictates that tactile requirements apply to signs identifying permanent rooms and spaces, like:
- Room and floor numbers or letters
- Room names
- Labels for restrooms, locker rooms, cafeterias, libraries, conference rooms, and mechanical rooms
Visual and tactile accessibility is mandatory for both interior and exterior signs labeling permanent rooms and spaces. Exterior signs that aren’t placed directly at the entrance of the space only need to meet visual requirements.
Directional and Informational Signage
§216.3 outlines requirements for directional and informational signs. These signs, which guide individuals or provide information about interior spaces and facilities, must meet visual requirements but are not required to be tactile. Directional signs encompass all types of signs providing direction to spaces and facilities.
Navigating with Required Accessibility Symbols
§216.5 – §216.11 require the use of specific international symbols to identify accessible spaces and elements:
- International Symbol of Accessibility
- TTY (Text Telephone)
- Access for Hearing Loss
These symbols ensure easy recognition and wayfinding for everyone.
Combining Visual and Tactile Elements
Tactile signs must feature raised characters alongside Grade 2 braille. They are also subject to non-glare finish and color contrast requirements to enhance visual accessibility. Additional information on these signs, besides permanent room or space labels, doesn’t need to be raised or brailled but must meet visual criteria.
The consistent placement of tactile signs beside or on doors facilitates easier location without relying on vision.
Understanding Means of Egress Signs
§216.4 specifies that tactile and visual signs must identify doors at exit stairways, exit passageways, and exit discharge points.
Life safety and building codes address exit sign visibility and illumination. At exit doors, tactile requirements are typically met using a separate sign.
Directions to accessible means of egress mandated by the International Building Code (IBC) must also meet visual criteria (§216.4.3).
Elevator Signage
§407 focuses on the importance of accessible elevator signage:
The Standards require tactile signs (and sometimes symbols) at elevators, covering labels for:
- Floor designations at elevator hoistways (§407.2.3.1)
- Destination-oriented elevator cars (§407.2.3.2)
- Car control buttons (§407.4.7.1.1)
- Emergency communication devices (§407.4.9)
Technical Requirements for Tactile Characters
Raised Character Specifications
§703.2 outlines several criteria for raised characters:
- Depth
- Case
- Style
- Character height and proportions
- Stroke thickness
- Line and character spacing
These specifications ensure readability for individuals using tactile methods.
Finish and Contrast
§703.5.1 indicates that when a single set of characters is used for both raised and visual requirements, the characters and their background must have a non-glare finish with either light-on-dark or dark-on-light contrast.
Braille Standards
§703.3 mandates the use of contracted or “Grade 2” braille to represent the content of raised characters.
This type of braille employs characters to represent common words and letter combinations.
Pictogram Specifications
§703.6 addresses the use of pictograms:
Text descriptors in raised and braille characters are required directly below the pictogram field when pictograms are included on a sign to designate a permanent room or space. The pictogram field must be at least 6 inches high, and pictograms and fields must have a non-glare finish and a light-on-dark or dark-on-light contrast.
Installation Guidelines
§703.4 outlines the proper installation height and location for accessible signs.
Tactile signs should be located between 48 and 60 inches above the finish floor or ground surface. Additionally, a clear floor space measuring 18 inches by 18 inches must be centered on the tactile characters.
Visual Character Specifications
§703.5 sets guidelines for visual characters, addressing finish and contrast, case, style, character proportion and height, stroke thickness, and line and character spacing.
Characters must contrast with their background and have a non-glare finish.
Transportation Facilities Signage
The standards for accessible signage apply to transportation facilities.
Rail Station Signage
§810.6 provides guidance on rail station signage.
Tactile signs providing station information are required at each entrance and on each platform or boarding area. Requirements for visual characters apply to signs at boarding areas, platforms, or mezzanines that list stations, routes, and destinations served by the station, excluding route maps. These signs must be uniformly located within the transit system.
Key Takeaways
Compliance with ADA standards for signage is essential to create inclusive and accessible environments. Understanding what signs are guides to exits and directions, along with the specific technical requirements for tactile and visual characters, is critical for designers, architects, and facility managers. By implementing these standards, you ensure that everyone can navigate spaces safely and independently.
