Why Are ADA Signs Important for Businesses?

Did you know that over 61 million adults in the United States live with a disability? That’s nearly one in four people who face problems while moving through everyday spaces. Now, imagine someone dim-sighted is trying to find a restroom in a busy building with no tactile signage.

This is where the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) comes in. It is a landmark civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in all areas of public life, including businesses.

So, to make sure that your business is compliant with the ADA isn’t just a legal requirement. It is a fundamental step towards creating a welcoming environment for everyone.

Therefore, by implementing ADA signage guidelines, businesses can improve customer satisfaction and ultimately boost their bottom line.

What is ADA and Why It is Important?

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in all areas of public life, including jobs, schools, transportation and all public or private places that are open to the general public.

This civil rights law also mandates businesses to make reasonable modifications to provide easy accessibility to people with disabilities.

ADA signage has specific requirements so that the information is easy to understand. These special signs make it easier for people with disabilities to understand and use public places.

You should consult a reputable sign company specializing in design and installation for expert assistance with ADA-compliant signage.

A qualified sign company in Atlanta can help you meet all ADA requirements. This will minimize legal risks and provide accessibility for all your customers.

Requirements for ADA-Compliant Signage

ADA signs must follow specific requirements outlined in the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Standards for Accessible Design. Some of these best practices include:

General ADA Sign Requirements

• Visibility: ADA signs should be easily visible and readable from a reasonable distance.
• Character Proportions: The width of a character should be 3/5 of the height and stroke thickness should be 1/5 of the height.
• Finish and Contrast: Signs should have a non-glare finish and characters should contrast with their background (light on dark or dark on light).
• Case: Characters can be uppercase or lowercase or a combination of both.
• Style: Characters should be conventional in form and should not be italic, oblique, script or decorative.

Tactile ADA Sign Requirements

• Raised Characters: Tactile signs must have raised characters that are at least 1/32 inch high.
• Braille:  Tactile signs must also include Grade 2 Braille which is a system of raised dots that can be read by touch.
• Designations:  Tactile signs are required for permanent rooms and spaces, exits and elevators.
• Manoeuvring Space:  There should be adequate clear space (18 inches minimum) around the sign so people can approach and touch it without facing obstacles.

Visual ADA Sign Requirements

• Font:  You should use a sans serif font that is easy to read.
• Pictograms:  If pictograms are used, they should have a text description underneath.

Placement Requirements for ADA Signs

1. Height

The baseline of the lowest tactile character should be 48 inches minimum from the floor and baseline of the highest tactile character should be 60 inches maximum from the floor.

2. Location

Tactile signs should be located on the wall adjacent to the latch side of the door and a person should be able to approach within 3 inches of the sign without encountering protruding objects or swinging doors.

Note: The International Symbol of Accessibility (ISA) is used to indicate accessible features for a uniform iconography. Also, temporary signs do not need to comply with ADA standards.

Benefits of ADA-Compliant Signage

While ADA compliance is a legal requirement, it offers numerous benefits beyond avoiding penalties and lawsuits.

1. Reduced risk of lawsuits and penalties

It is a very common sight that non-compliance with ADA regulations can result in fines and penalties. Therefore, they are a must for businesses to protect themselves from financial risks. Moreover, ADA lawsuits can be costly, so this is how you can reduce the likelihood of being sued.

2. Better understanding of business offerings

The ADA-compliant signage helps people with disabilities to navigate and understand the business’s offerings. This can eventually attract a broader customer base and build goodwill among customers and the community.

3. Improved customer experience

These well-designed signs reduce confusion which provides a more positive customer experience. This is because customers are able to find what they need quickly which saves them time.

Implications of Absence of ADA Signage for Small Businesses

Here are several compelling reasons why it is high time for small businesses to use ADA signage:

1. Rise in Litigation Risks

Since 2013, ADA lawsuits have surged by more than 300%. Moreover, many small businesses are specifically targeted because they have limited resources to defend themselves against legal claims.

2. Legal action before notice of violation

It is seen that plaintiffs’ lawyers exploit small businesses. It’s because they usually lack the means to contest lawsuits effectively.

This has led to a common pattern where businesses receive notices of violations only after legal action has been initiated. This leaves them with little time to rectify issues.

3. Preference of settlements over litigation

Most of the small business owners opt to settle lawsuits rather than engage in costly litigation. The financial burden of settlements is huge for small enterprises that are already struggling economically.

Why does this happen?

The structure of the law incentivizes lawyers to file lawsuits quickly. This is because they can recover attorney fees from settlements.

This creates a cycle where businesses are pressured into compliance without adequate opportunity for resolution.

Preventative Measures for Businesses

Businesses can easily mitigate the risk of lawsuits by investing in ADA signs with Braille and conducting regular audits of their facilities.

Many small business owners are not fully aware of ADA requirements or how they apply to their operations.

Therefore, it is important to educate your staff about these regulations and implement necessary changes. This can easily prevent misunderstandings that lead to legal challenges.