Creating Inclusive and Compliant ADA Signs for Your Business 

While signs are helpful for everyone entering your business, inclusive and compliant ADA signs are especially useful for anyone with limited mobility or accessibility challenges. 

Your customers rely on you to help them navigate your place of business. Whether your signs provide directions to the restroom, conference room numbers or a wheelchair-accessible path to the elevator, customers are depending on business owners to consider inclusiveness and requirements.  

Does Every Small Business Need ADA Signs? 

The simple answer is yes. 

The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 is a Civil Rights law that prohibits discrimination based on disabilities. Not only is it legally imperative to provide ADA-approved signage, it’s also: 

• the right thing to do. 

• an opportunity to better serve customers. 

• a way to avoid negative reviews and customer complaints. 

The Department of Justice published revised, enforceable accessibility standards called the 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design, which set minimum requirements for newly designed and constructed or altered State or local government facilities, public accommodations and commercial facilities to be readily accessible to and usable by individuals with disabilities. 

Who is Impacted by Improper Use of ADA Signs? 

According to the Pew Research Center, there are about 42.5 million Americans with disabilities. This group includes residents with hearing, vision, cognitive, walking, self-care or independent living difficulties. 

In 2014, the Department of Justice increased civil penalties. Businesses can be fined as much as $75,000 for the first violation and up to $150,000 for subsequent violations. Missing or incorrect signage is one of the most often cited issues, which means businesses need to be vigilant. 

What Needs to Be Considered for Compliant ADA Signs? 

Most of the time, signs are placed to help customers find their way. Your signs may indicate restrooms, building levels, exits, elevators, staircases, room numbers, cafeterias, libraries, conference rooms, checkout aisles, etc. Basically, if the space has a doorway or is permanent, you’re going to need an ADA-compliant sign. 

At an introductory level, ADA-compliant signs can require braille, raised lettering, visual and technical requirements of characters, installation requirements and pictograms. 

However, the rules are very precise and must be followed correctly. Some examples are: 

• detailed requirements for a non-glare finish and color contrast for visual accessibility. 

• Standards for elevators including signage for floor designations, destinations, car control buttons and emergency communications devices. 

• design-specific rules for text size, font, boldness, capitalization and space between the letters. 

• requirements for installed ADA signs including rules about position, installation height and location and the height above the finish floor or ground. 

• proportions and height for visual characters, as well as symbols of accessibility with commonly recognized pictograms.  

Trust Our Staff to Help! 

Because there are so many specific requirements for ADA-compliant signage, it is best to work with a professional sign company that knows the regulations for each industry. Doing so can eliminate confusion, save time and money, avoid negative incidents and serve your customers in the best way. 

Many of our signs and displays at Target Print & Mail provide for ADA compliance including mounted signs, yard signs, A-frame signs, floor graphics and more. From the initial planning stages through the design and installation process, we are here to help you create inclusive and compliant ADA signs that best serve your customers and staff members. 

You can view our products here, call 850-671-6600, or email hello@targetprintmail.com to speak to a project manager.