When it comes to signs, design is the name of the game. An effective design uses the right colors and fonts to attract the public to its message. But it’s not always so easy when working with ADA signage. With the many regulations, which vary from state to state, there are many considerations sign shops have to take into account. Copy height, font choice and color contrast, for example, all come under strict scrutiny with ADA signage, but if you can master the regulations, ADA signage can become an important part of your business. 

 

Adhering to ADA rules doesn’t mean ADA signs are stuck in one mold. Hank McMahon of signmojo.com says its Charleston line is popular because it has a back plate with a decorative edge, a metallic center plate, and a faceplate available in 56 colors. Photo courtesy signmojo.com

THE STRUGGLE WITH ADA

Complying with ADA signage standards can be especially difficult for sign shops because the language of the regulations is typically unclear, says Byron Dreher, graphic art manager of Acrylic Idea Factory in Tucson, Ariz. While many sign shops don’t intentionally break the rules, they might accidentally do so when the regulation is lost in translation. Often, the legal wording just gets in the way of comprehension. 

 

“It’s the way the regulation is written,” Dreher says. “It’s hard to tell what the laws are because of the way it’s presented. California guidelines are the strictest, so we try to follow those laws, but everything is worded with legal jargon, and it’s confusing.” 

 

ADA signage can also be complicated because it’s an application sign shops don’t tackle often, says Kathy Wilson, vice president of sales and marketing of Advance Corporation, Cottage Grove, Minn. Many sign shops install ADA signage in places that have multiple layers of compliance requirements, and when you are unfamiliar with the laws, remembering which regulation applies to which sign system becomes tricky. 

 

“You have to make sure your sign complies with the fire marshal,” Wilson says. “If you go into a state office building or it has state funds, there’s a possibility there could be another compliance or regulatory agency that you have to comply with. And when you go into a building with public accommodations, they have to comply with federal regulations. Each of those levels of governing bodies has different minimum guidelines, and they have different policing. They are hard to keep straight.”

 

It’s possible to comply with ADA standards and still be creative with your signage, such as adjusting the outer shape of the sign. Photo courtesy signmojo.com

COMMON ADA DESIGN MISTAKES

A large portion of ADA compliance violations stems from design elements, and many of these mistakes are easy to fix. With a little attention to detail, you can save your clients from some major headaches. 

 

Copy height, for example, is the biggest blunder most sign shops encounter when working with ADA signage, Wilson says. There is a specific height range that is acceptable for ADA signage, and you don’t want to go under that. On that same note, copy shouldn’t be larger than 2 inches. Some sign shops try to overcompensate with height, but copy can be too large, just as it can be too small. 

 

Using the incorrect font also tends to be a common mistake when working with ADA signage, says Hank McMahon, president of signmojo.com in Chattanooga, Tenn. ADA signage requires a sans serif font; however, many sign shops think they can skirt around this regulation and redefine the meaning of sans serif. But when it comes to acceptable font styles, there is no leeway. Try using sans serif fonts such as Helvetica, Futura and Optima. There is no question to their compliancy, and using those fonts ensures your ADA signage adheres to the standard regulations. 

 

Braille placement can be an issue as well, McMahon adds. Sign materials come in defined sizes, typically measuring at 4' x 8', and you want to be sure the yield is correct. In fact, this can even make or break a signage bid. 

 

Fonts for ADA compliant signs should be easy to read, usually a sans serif. Photo courtesy Acrylic Idea Factory

This photo shows the proper spacing of the Braille and text. Photo courtesy signmojo.com

“When trying to fit in that last bit of copy on a sign with a defined size, it is often the choice of the fabricator to squeeze it in to the detriment of compliance,” McMahon says. “We’ve done it… and regretted it. To avoid that regret, we train our technical drawings guys to adhere to the simple spacing rules and not to deviate, even if it’s for one sign for an order that needs to go out the door immediately.”

 

Determining color contrast, in particular, can be difficult when fabricating ADA signage, and it’s a problem many sign shops face, Wilson says. Sign shops typically want ADA signage to blend into the environment, rather than stand out, but that’s not always the reality. At a minimum, the color contrast for ADA signage must be at least 70 percent, and with those differing colors, the signage is more noticeable. 

 

For instance, a building’s main interior colors might be charcoal gray and black. While a sign in identical colors may look sleek and sophisticated, the contrast would not be strong enough to adhere to regulations. Instead, that gray must be a much lighter shade. 

 

“When working with color contrast, a lot of the people think, ‘Oh, it’s fine. It’s not a big deal; it’s not that important,’” Wilson says. “You really want to have people go to your facility and find legible signage, so the traffic isn’t inhibited or frustrated.”

 

Photo courtesy Advance Corp.

Ultimately, making sure your ADA signs are compliant is best for all parties involved, McMahon says. ADA signage is specifically designed for those who have a difficult time reading a traditional sign, and the surrounding regulations are there to ensure the signage system is effective. After all, if a sign can’t be read, it’s not doing its job. 

 

“One may get away with sacrificing compliance for beauty,” McMahon says. “It happens all the time. But at the end of the day, if a vision-impaired person comes across this sign, you have done a disservice to them, the law and all sign makers in your area.”

 

 

For more information on ADA requirements for signage, visit http://www.access-board.gov/adaag/html/adaag.htm#4.30.