ADA Signage Custom, Professional Solutions

Signs By Tomorrow USA, Inc. www.signsbytomorrow.com

877-728-7446

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What is ADA? If you own or operate a business, you are probably aware that you need to post ADA signs. The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, commonly referred to as ADA, put into motion government regulations requiring all public businesses to display ADA signage. The success of your business is ensured by your ADA compliance and also reflects sensitivity toward the needs of handicapped and disabled people. Signs By Tomorrow (SBT) signage and graphics experts are on hand to assist with ADA signage solutions. Since ADA covers a wide range

of civil rights that prohibit, under certain circumstances, discrimination based on disability, your building, facility or school is most likely affected by ADA’s requirements for proper signage. It’s crucial for your business to comply with ADA rules and regulations. It’s the law and the professionals at Signs By Tomorrow signage centers across the nation are available to assist with all of your custom ADA signage needs.

How Can Businesses Comply with ADA? Navigating through ADA handicap signage requirements can be tricky, but the knowledgeable staff at your local Signs By Tomorrow signage center is experienced and ready to help. For instance, Signs By Tomorrow Houston South senior project manager Amber Erskine is considered a specialist in ADA and how the law pertains to your business’ signage. She says that ADA guidelines require a sign to be placed on every door one can walk through in a building. Erskine mentions that the exact quantity of signs for doors is carefully considered for this ADA specification. “The height requirement of ADA signs from the ground has recently been lowered,” Erskine reveals. “In addition, it’s important to note that all signage on doors or within hallways must be 48 inches above the floor or ground to accommodate people using wheelchairs and people who are blind.”

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Did You Know? All ADA signage on doors or in hallways must be 48 inches above

the floor or ground. __________________

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Benefits of Custom ADA Signage Just because ADA signage is required, doesn’t mean it has to be boring. The reasons to design custom ADA signs that match your brand and Integrated Marketing Communications (IMC) strategy are numerous. Signs By Tomorrow goes the extra mile to ensure that your ADA signs not only meet federal government regulations but also reflect your logo and corporate branding -- much more than just placing a handicapped sign or symbol for each piece of ADA signage. In the process of ADA signage preparation, you

receive custom consultation with Signs By Tomorrow custom sign making experts and directly benefit from excellent customer service and the friendly, knowledgeable staff. Working with Signs By Tomorrow signage experts on custom ADA signage means that you receive all of the great benefits associated with a nationwide sign company. How to Attract Business with ADA Signs It’s easier than ever to transform your existing directional and wayfinding signs into ADA signage that attracts attention and complies with federal regulations. In fact, most companies are not aware that ADA signs can incorporate company logos, brand ascetic, designs and remain completely in compliance with ADA standards. Remember, all of your branding and marketing efforts will not be lost in the shuffle of the production of custom ADA signage. In fact, SBT will ensure that ADA compliant signs include all of the appropriate information, while highlighting your logos or photos in the designs.

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7 Examples of Custom ADA Signage You See Everyday

1. ADA Bathroom Signage 2. ADA Parking Signs 3. ADA Exit Signs 4. Branded Suite and Room

Numbers 5. ADA Handicap Parking

Signs 6. ADA Elevator Signs 7. ADA Stairwell Signs

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Creating Graphics for ADA Signs Creating high-quality graphics for your ADA signage is both affordable and convenient. Signs By Tomorrow develops custom graphics available at the best quality with high resolutions, making it possible for the ADA signage and graphics to feature printed images including: photos, logos and marketing messages. Erskine also points out that SBT has to be very firm about the text used on ADA signs and graphics and says, “Signs are limited to only printing non-serif fonts. Serif fonts are too thick and will not print well.” Many businesses may need to replace old signs with new ADA-compliant signage since the most recent update to the law went into effect in Feb. 2011, leaving many old ADA signs incorrect and outdated. “We suggest that clients update all their signs and use their logo or emblem to make the signage unique but still legal,” Erskine states. In an article in American Libraries Magazine titled New ADA Signage Standards Take Effect, author Liz Humrickhouse explains that ADA signage in bathrooms, stairwells, hallways, etc. must be very clear. “New [ADA signage] must now include large, bolded characters in both upper- and lowercase (for those who read visually) and thin, beveled, and widely spaced lettering (for tactile readers). Additionally, legally blind visual readers benefit greatly from no-glare, high-contrast signage,” Humrickhouse says. Signs By Tomorrow sign centers across the country are fully equipped to meet all of your ADA graphics needs in a cost effective, creative manner.

Case Study: Wellness Clinic Signs By Tomorrow Houston South recently completed the logo and decals for a wellness clinic (see photo left). The wellness clinic required custom made wayfinding signs to guide patients through the facility that incorporated the clinic’s leaf logo while meeting ADA regulations. The wellness clinic was so pleased with the results that they increased their order to include the purchase of new custom signage for every room in the facility. The double-panel signage SBT delivered not only met the wellness clinic’s unique needs and all ADA

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regulations but also presented a clean, professional design that conveyed high-end professionalism for the client. Case Study: Property Management Firm When property managers Thomas Properties Group/ABM needed ADA signage, the company’s security/fire life safety director David Brown contacted Signs By Tomorrow for assistance. The property management firm ordered 18 stairwell floor level ADA signs, sized 18 by 12 inches (see photos right). Although a proof of the ADA signs was mistakenly approved with an error in the order, SBT responded quickly with a resolution of removing the incorrect letter. The quick response and solution made everyone involved very happy. Signs By Tomorrow signage centers in Santa Clarita, CA and Sunrise, FL worked hand-in-hand to complete this project, proving that the far-reaching nationwide network of SBT signage centers directly benefits firms such as Thomas Properties Group. ADA Signage FAQ’s Q: What does ADA compliance mean? A: In 1990, the Americans with Disabilities Act, a federal anti-discrimination statute, was enacted by the U.S. Congress to ensure equal access to people with disabilities. ADA Accessibility Guidelines are specific about how and where special needs signs are displayed. ADA ensures that people with special needs are not excluded from the same experiences as other non-disabled people. Some examples of signs that provide guidance and assistance to people with special needs are Braille or Tactile signage. Q: What types of ADA signs are readily available? A. There are many types of ADA signs that are compliant with federal regulations, including ADA compliant International Symbol of Accessibility, Braille signs, Tactile signs, restroom signs, entrance and exit signs, wayfinding signs and more. Q: Do custom ADA signs and graphics cost a lot? A: At Signs By Tomorrow, custom does not mean costly! Our advanced digital printing and engraving technologies allow us to create cost effective sophisticated custom ADA signage and graphics for your business. Q. What do ADA signs typically look like? A: ADA signage incorporates various shapes, colors, sizes and textures and can even display your company, school or organization’s logo. Don’t just default to the typical ADA handicapped sign, your design can include what is specific and unique to your marketing plan and remain true to your brand identity. Q: What are some of the ADA rules and regulations and how can we comply? A: Signs By Tomorrow experts are on hand to navigate through the various rules and regulations

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associated with ADA. Since the guidelines are too numerous to list, consult a SBT professional or visit the website www.ada.gov for more information. Full-Service Standard and Custom ADA Signage Solutions Signs By Tomorrow offers high-quality, custom ADA signage and provides a plethora of digital printing services. Whether we design your signage or bring your design to life, Signs By Tomorrow’s solutions allow you to build awareness and further brand recognition as well as comply with specific ADA guidelines. Be sure to maximize your marketing budget and Integrated Marketing Communications strategies with custom sign solutions by Signs By Tomorrow. From custom ADA signs to vehicle wraps, tradeshow booth designs and both indoor and outdoor signs, SBT is truly an advertising resource. With cost-effective ways to promote your business, around town and across the country, Signs By Tomorrow is the leading custom sign company.

Works Cited

Americans with Disabilities Act website: www.ada.gov American Libraries Magazine. April 25, 2012. New ADA Signage Standards Take Effect, Humrickhouse, Liz. http://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/features/04252012/new-ada-signage-standards-take-effect. Signs By Tomorrow website: www.signsbytomorrow.com

Signs By Tomorrow, 8681 Fulton Dr., Columbia, MD 21046 877-728-7446, www.signsbytomorrow.com