ADA and Other Codes
Signage in public areas of all buildings is subject compliance with
federal, state and local code requirements, requiring the use of
certain symbols, messages and graphic standards (Fig. 1).
To provide adequate signing for all users, including persons with
disabilities, the Federal Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), first
published in the Federal Register on July 26, 1991 describes specific
requirements for the use of typestyles, minimum type sizes, message
contrast, symbols, Braille characters, tactile messages, sign
background gloss and sign placement. A summation of the ADA as it
applies to signage can be found in the Society for Environmental
Graphic Design “White Paper”, available through the SEGD, 401 F
Street N. W., Suite 333, Washington, D.C. 20001. An Overview
of the ADA Law is provided below.
State and local sign codes vary considerably, such as symbol signs
for toilet room doors required in California (Fig. 2).
The
accessibility requirements for informational signs, such as, building
directories can seem confusing. Since the ADA does not specifically
address informational signs, many people think that they are exempt
from the regulations. This is not the case.
This type of
sign must comply with the general requirements for sign finish,
contrast and character proportion under the signage section of the
ADA. Informational signs do not require Braille or tactile characters
and symbols, but other signage requirements do apply. Very general
guidelines are outlined in this section. Please refer to
detailed requirements listed below, in
Section 4 by ADA Classification:
SECTION 1
- GENERAL GUIDELINES
Building
Directories mounted behind glass must use non-glare glass.
Character
proportions must meet the proper width to height ratio.
Characters
and backgrounds of signs must be of an eggshell, matte or other
non-glare finish.
Characters
and symbols must contrast with their background (light background
with dark letters or dark background with light letters).
Directories can
be installed either as a projecting unit or integrated into a wall
surface. Projecting units, however, must provide a skirt or “cane
strike” to meet ADA requirements (Fig. 3).
Meeting these
requirements will make informational signage easier to read for
everyone. To determine sign requirements for state and local codes,
contact your local Sign
Biz Sign Design Professional.
(FIGURE
1.0)
(Figure
2.0)
SECTION 2
-
OVERVIEW
OF THE LAW
SUMMARY
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) went into
effect on January 26, 1992. The law requires these
establishments to remove architectural and
communication barriers where "readily
achievable". This means established business must
make a good faith effort to accomodate the disabled,
which includes the installation of ADA tactile and
braille signage for the benefit of the visually
impaired.
ENFORCEMENT
The ADA is an extension of the Civil Rights Act of
1964, with similar enforcement provisions, which are
as follows:
A. Any person may file a federal lawsuit, either for
individual discrimination or as a class action.
B. Any person may request the Department of Justice to
investigate and act upon an ADA discrimination claim.
C. The attorney General may also file a civil action
suit in cases of general public importance.
LEGAL REMEDIES
The courts can:
A. Order a facility made ADA accessible.
B. Award monetary damages of up to $50,000 for the
first ADA violation and $100,000 for each subsequent
violation.
BENEFITS
Tax deductions of up to $15,000 for expenses incurred
in the removal of architectural barriers are allowed
by the IRS.
SECTION 3
- EFFECTIVE
DATES AND STANDARDS OF ADA COMPLIANCE
Existing Facilities-- Existing facilities defined as
public accommodations must take steps to remove
"architectural and communications barriers"
by January 26, 1992, where such removal is
"readily achievable" or "easily
accomplishable and able to be carried out without much
difficulty or expense". priority should be given
to ADA measures that will enable individuals with
disabilities to "get in the front door",
followed by measures providing ADA access to goods and
services and providing access to restroom facilities.
If physical barrier removal is not "readily
achievable", the facility may be required to take
appropriate alternative ADA measures, such as having
store employees assist in removing articles from high
shelves.
Alterations-- alterations to existing facilities
defined as public accommodations or commercial
facilities must be "readily accessible to and
usable by the disabled, to the maximum extent
feasible" if the ADA alteration is begun after
January 26, 1992. When alterations are made to a
"primary functions area," an accessible path
of travel" to the altered area, and the
restrooms, telephones and drinking fountains must be
made. The additional ADA accessibility costs need not
be "disproportionate" relative to the
overall alteration.
New Construction-- New construction of public
accommodations or commercial facilities must be
"readily accessible and usable by" the
disabled if the facility is first occupied after
January 26, 1993, assuming the last official permits
were issued after January 26, 1992. The standard of
ADA compliance is highest for new construction and is
not limited by "disproportionate cost" or
"readily achievable" regulations.
1. Lodging
2. Food/drink service
3.Exhibition/entertainment
4. Public gathering
5. Sales/rentals
6. Service
7. Transportation station
8. Public display/collection
9. Recreation
10. Education
11. Social service
12. Exercise/recreation
SECTION 4 -
SIGNAGE
GUIDELINES (Applicable law sections are 4.30.1 through 4.30.8.)
ADA
SIGN REQUIREMENTS
BY ADA
CLASSIFICATION
Room
Identification Signs
Minimum requirements
(these are current California rules, and will soon be USA rules
as well, although there will be additional rules added):
_____________________________________________________________
Tactile Characters
Raised 1/32"
Accompanied by
Braille characters: Braille is contracted (Grade 2), has
California spacing and height*, is horizontal, is 3/8 inch
minimum, 1/2 inch maximum below raised characters.
* California Braille: dots are 1/10 in apart on center, cells
are 2/10 in apart on center, second column of dots to first
column of dots in next adjacent cell. Dots are minimum 1/40th
inch high.
_____________________________________________________________
Typestyles
Upper case & sans serif
Characters contrast with background, light on dark or dark on
light, non-glare surfaces
Character width 60-100 percent of height (ratio 3 to 5 - 1 to 1)
Stroke width 10-20 percent of height (ratio 1 to 10 - 1 to 5)
_____________________________________________________________
Character height
Characters 5/8 inch minimum to 2 inches maximum height
_____________________________________________________________
Pictograms
If pictograms are used to identify the room (i.e. gender
pictograms for restrooms) they must be in a six inch high space,
and the corresponding raised text and braille must be below.
_____________________________________________________________
Finish/Contrast of Characters/Background:
Eggshell, or matte non-glare finish 70% contrast
between backgrounds
_____________________________________________________________
Placement
Install 60 inches from floor to horizontal center of sign, place
so reader can approach within 3 inches and not be hit by swing
of a door, or encounter an obstacle. Install, preferably on
latch side of door, otherwise on nearest available wall.
Avoids protruding objects
_____________________________________________________________
Permanent Signs
Signs which designate permanent rooms and spaces.
Regulations require that ADA signage have raised
lettering, Braille and pictograms as well as being
mounted in a specific location. Recommended sign
types:
Room Identification
Departmental I.D.
Regulatory
_____________________________________________________________
Wayfinding signs and most Regulatory signs (Directional and Informational Signs)
Do not need raised characters or Braille
Characters sized to fit viewing distance, but if they are 80
inches above floor, must be 3 inches high, measured by uppercase
character
Characters contrast with background, light on dark or dark on
light, non-glare surfaces
Non-decorative type, serifs OK
Character width 60-100 percent of height
Stroke width 10-20 percent of height
_____________________________________________________________
Overhead Signage
Signs which are "Projected or suspended
overhead" must meet ADA requirements for:
~ Clearance: Signs that are overhead or projecting must be
installed with bottom of sign a minimum of 80 inches from the
floor or ground.
~ Characters sized to fit viewing distance, but if they are 80
inches above floor, must be 3 inches high, measured by uppercase
character
~ Finish and Contrast: Characters contrast with
background, light on dark or dark on light, non-glare surfaces
Non-decorative type, serifs OK
~ Character Proportion: Character width 60-100 percent of height
Stroke width 10-20 percent of height
_____________________________________________________________
Temporary Signage
Building directories, menu boards and all other
signs which provide temporary information about rooms
and spaces, such as the current occupant's name, are
not required to comply with the ADA guidelines.
(Figure
3.0)
FIRST
IMPRESSIONS
