It is good both for businesses and for customers when people can easily navigate around new places. This is achieved through proper building planning and is enhanced with wayfinding and identification signs. However, when it comes to serving all visitors equally, it is important to realise that due to some physical impairments, not everyone can comprehend the same signs. For that purpose, ADA accessible signs are created. Let us delve deeper into this specific topic.
The Definition of ADA
ADA stands for the Americans with Disabilities Act. This is a special paper that regulates the arrangement of public spaces. It introduces norms that help to make those spaces equally comfortable for both ordinary and disabled individuals.
What is important here is that ADA covers the arrangement of public places in the broad sense, meaning that there are requirements not only for door and wayfinding signs. Yet, today we focus solely on ADA interior signs.
In the context of interior signs, the ADA regulates the use of colors, fonts, and the height of placement. It also deals with the rooms that should be equipped with such signs. ADA states that not all spaces should use ADA signs. The rules are relevant only to permanent spaces.
The Importance of Interior Inclusivity
If you provide services in an office, supermarket, shopping mall, or any other public space, your major intention is to make visitors as comfortable as possible. All visitors should be included. Never neglect the experiences of disabled individuals. They should feel a normal part of the entire community. It is your duty to provide them with all the necessary means to have such a possibility.
Types of ADA Accessible Signs
- ADA navigation signs: These are door and wall plaques that are used for comfortable space navigation. Their designs are effortless and straightforward, which is necessary in terms of adhering to ADA. They should contain only important information and might also include direction arrows.
- Handicap restroom signs: These types of signs help to locate restrooms specifically designed for disabled individuals. Usually, such restrooms are made to be comfortable for individuals in a wheelchair. Also, sinks should be placed at a proper height. Additional equipment, like stalls, should also be available. When you see a restroom equipped with a handicap sign, it means that the room corresponds to the above-mentioned criteria.
How to Make ADA Signs Even More Effective
According to ADA requirements, compliant signs should have raised characters. This design feature makes plaques tactile, so visitors can perceive them by feeling. The way to make them even more effective is to incorporate such signs with writing in Braille. For visitors with severe vision disabilities, it would be more convenient to navigate with the help of Braille than by feeling ordinary letters.
We strongly recommend that if you have an opportunity to order such a custom ADA sign, you should take advantage of it.
