A. SIGN REGULATIONS: Permanent Room … signage guidelines are primarily intended to make facilities accessible to the blind, visually-impaired, and mobility-impaired. All public facilities

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Following is a summary of the regulations published in the Department of Justice Federal Register,dated Friday July 26, 1991, 28 CFR Part 36,Title III, and the updated ICC/ANSI A117.1 - 1998Accessibility Standard (approved February 13, 1998 by the Board of Standards Review). Thisinformation may be obtained from the Office of Americans with Disabilities Act at (202) 514-0301(Voice) or (202) 514-0381 (TDD).

ADA signage guidelines are primarily intended to make facilities accessible to the blind, visually-impaired, and mobility-impaired. All public facilities must take steps to comply with ADA regulations.

A. SIGN REGULATIONS:1. Permanent Room Identification Signs (using characters that are both tactileand visual).

Signs that designate permanent rooms and spaces aregenerally defined as room numbers, exit signs, and restroomsigns. They must comply with the following:

a. FINISH AND CONTRAST:Characters and their background must have a non-glarefinish. Characters shall contrast with their background,with either light characters on a dark background, or darkcharacters on a light background.

b. TACTILE CHARACTER DEPTH:Tactile characters shall be raised 1/32 inch (0.8 mm)minimum above their background.

c. CHARACTER FORM:• Uppercase only.• Type style shall be sans serif. Characters shall not be

italic, oblique, script, highly decorative, or of otherunusual forms.

• Character height: 5/8 inch (16 mm) minimum and2 inches (51 mm) maximum, (measured vertically fromthe baseline to the top of the character, based on theuppercase "I").

• Character width: 55% minimum and 110% maximumof the character height, with the width based on theuppercase letter "O" and the height based on theuppercase letter "I".

• Stroke Thickness: Characters with rectangular crosssections shall have a stroke thickness which is 10%minimum and 15% maximum of the height of thecharacter, based on the uppercase letter "I".Characters with other cross sections shall have astroke thickness at the base of the cross section whichis 10% minimum and 30% maximum of the height ofthe character, and a stroke thickness at the top of thecross sections which is 15% maximum of the height ofthe character, based on the uppercase letter "I".

d. CHARACTER (LETTER) SPACING:Spacing shall be measured between the two closest points

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of adjacent characters within a message, excluding wordspaces. Where characters have rectangular cross sections,spacing between individual characters shall be 1/8 inch(3 mm) minimum and 3/8 inch (10 mm) maximum. Wherecharacters have other cross sections, spacing betweenindividual characters shall be 1/16 inch (2 mm) minimumand 3/8 inch (10 mm) maximum at the base of the crosssections, and 1/8 inch (3 mm) minimum and 3/8 inch(10 mm) maximum at the top of the cross sections.

e. LINE SPACING:Spacing between the baselines of separate lines of charactersshall be 135% minimum and 170% maximum of thecharacter height.

f. RAISED BORDERS AND ELEMENTSRaised borders and elements shall be 3/8 inch (9.5 mm)minimum from tactile characters.

g. BRAILLE:Tactile characters shall be accompanied by Grade II Braille.Braille dots shall have a domed or rounded shape. Braille shallbe located below the corresponding text. If text is multi-lined,Braille shall be placed below entire text. Braille shall beseparated 3/8 inch (9.5mm) minimum from any other tactilecharacters, raised elements or borders.• Braille shall comply with literary Braille.

EXCEPTION: The indication of uppercase letter(s) shallonly be used for proper nouns and names, individualletters of the alphabet, initials, acronyms, or before thefirst word of sentences.

• Dot base diameter: 0.059-0.063 inch (1.5-1.6 mm)• Distance between any two dots in same cell, center to

center: 0.090-0.100 inch (2.3-2.5 mm)• Distance between corresponding dots in adjacent cells,

center to center: 0.241-0.300 inch (6.1-7.6 mm)• Dot Height: 0.025-0.032 inch (0.6-0.8 mm)• Distance between corresponding dots from one cell to

the cell directly below, center to center:0.395-0.400 inch (10.0-10.1 mm)h. PICTOGRAMS:

• Pictograms or symbols must be located on a field of atleast 6 inches (150 mm) in height. An equivalentGrade 2 Braille and tactile written description must beplaced below or adjacent to the 6 inch field and maynot intrude into the 6 inch field.

• Pictograms and their fields must meet requirements forfinish and contrast.




i. MOUNTING HEIGHT:• Tactile characters shall be 48 inches (1220 mm)

minimum and 60 inches (1525 mm) maximum abovethe adjacent floor or ground surface,measured fromthe baseline of the characters.

• Visual characters shall be 40 inches (1015 mm)minimum above the floor or ground. Refer to the charton page 3.4 for more information.

• Braille shall be 40 inches (1015 mm) minimum and60 inches (1525 mm) maximum above the floor orground, measured from the baseline of the Braille cells.

j. MOUNTING LOCATION:Single Doors: mount sign adjacent to the latch side of door.Double Doors: mount sign to the right of the right handdoor. Where there is no wall space,mount sign on thenearest adjacent wall. Minimum 18 inches x 18 inchesfloor space (centered on the sign) beyond the arc of anydoor swing between the closed position and 45° openposition.

• EXCEPTION: Door-mounted signs shall be permitted onthe push side of doors with closers and withouthold-open devices.

• Refer to Section 5 for more information on Installation.

2. Permanent Room Identification Signs (where separate tactile and visual characters with the same information are provided):

a. Visual characters can be uppercase, lowercase, or acombination of both. Type style shall be conventional inform. Characters shall not be italic, oblique, script, highlydecorative, or of other unusual forms. Visual charactersmust meet the requirements listed under item number "1"(on pages 3.1 and 3.2) for character width, line spacing,finish and contrast. Refer to the table on page 3.4 forcharacter height.

• Characters shall have a stroke thickness which is 10%minimum and 30% maximum, the height of the character,based on the uppercase letter "I".

• Spacing between individual characters, excludingword spaces, shall be 10% minimum and 35% maximumof the character height.

b. Tactile characters shall be duplicated in Braille.c. Tactile characters shall be all uppercase and meet the

requirements listed under item number "1" (on pages 3.1and 3.2) for character depth, style, width, line spacing,




mounting height and location.• Character Height: 1/2 inch minimum and 3/4 inch

maximum.• Character Stroke Thickness: maximum 15% of the

character height, based on the uppercase letter "I".• Character Spacing: 1/8 inch (3mm) minimum to 1/4

inch (6mm) maximum between the two closest pointsof adjacent characters (excluding word spaces).

• Tactile characters are not required to contrast withc. Tactile characters continued

their background and they do not have to comply withnon-glare standards on a Combination Tactile/Visual Sign.

Character height is based on height above the floor and minimum viewingdistance. Character height is based on the uppercase letter "I". Minimumviewing distance is measured as the horizontal distance where an obstructionprevents further approach toward the sign.




3. Directional and Informational Signs• Visual signs that provide direction to or information aboutfunction spaces within a facility can be wall mounted,projected or suspended overhead.They are not required tocontain tactile characters, but must meet the requirementslisted under item number "1" (on pages 3.1 and 3.2) forcharacter width, line spacing, finish and contrast.

• Characters shall have a stroke thickness which is 10%minimum and 30% maximum, the height of the character,based on the uppercase letter "I".

• Spacing between individual characters, excluding wordspaces, shall be 10% minimum and 35% maximum of thecharacter height.

• Characters can be uppercase, lowercase, or a combinationof both.

• Type style shall be conventional in form. Characters shallnot be italic, oblique, script, highly decorative, or of otherunusual forms.

• Character height is based on height above the floor andminimum viewing distance. Character height is based onthe uppercase letter "I". Minimum viewing distance is measuredas the horizontal distance where an obstruction prevents furtherapproach toward the sign.Refer to the table on page 3.4 for character height.

4. Temporary Information SignsBuilding directories, menus, and all other signs thatprovide temporary information about rooms and spaces,such as current occupant's name, are not required tocomply with ADA guidelines.

5. Exterior SignsThe requirements for exterior and interior signs are generallythe same. Exterior signs are not required to have tactile andBraille lettering, other than in the situation where a permanentroom, such as a bathroom, is directly accessed from the outside.However, they must meet requirements for visual characters.

B. IDENTIFICATION OF ACCESSIBLE FACILITIES & FEATURES1. Entrances, Restrooms, and Bathing Facilities

The international symbol of accessibility must be displayedat accessible entrances, if all entrances are not accessible.Directions including the symbol must be provided frominaccessible entrances to accessible ones. Similar guidelinesapply to restrooms and bathing facilities.

2. Parking AreasAccessible parking spaces and loading zones must be markedby a sign showing the symbol of accessibility , located so itcannot be obscured by a parked vehicle. An installation height




of 60 inches minimum is required above the ground to thebottom of the sign. Note: Some states have their own requirements;California requires 80 inches. Also, if the sign is in the public way, it mayqualify as a protruding object and must be 80 inches above the ground.

3. Assembly AreasThe international symbol of access for hearing loss must bedisplayed where assistive listening systems are required,together with a description of the system installed.

4. Areas of Rescue AssistanceAreas of rescue assistance must be identified with illuminatedand/or non-illuminated signs including the international symbolof accessibility . Instructions must be posted on how to usethe area during emergencies. Inaccessible exits must beidentified as such. Where all exits are not accessible, signsincluding the symbol are required to direct visitors to areas ofrescue assistance.

5. Public TelephonesText telephones must be identified with the TTY symbol.Volume control telephones must be identified by the volumecontrol symbol. Where all telephone banks are not so equipped,directions including the appropriate symbols must be provided toguide users from unequipped telephone banks to equipped ones.

6. Assistive Listening SystemsAssistive listening systems must be identified by the internationalsymbol for hearing loss, together with a description of thesystem provided.

7. Protruding ObjectsThe law requires that no objects, including signs, shall protrudemore than 4" from the wall surfaces or 12" from posts or pylonson a horizontal zone between 27" from the floor to 80" fromthe floor. Similarly, all corridors, halls, etc. shall have a minimumheadroom of at least 80".




C. COMPLIANCEThe Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) lists a number of due dates forcompliance by facilities.

Existing facilities defined as "Public Accommodations" (i.e., privateestablishments that provide goods and services to the general public) musthave started to take steps to remove architectural and communicationbarriers by January 26, 1992, where removal is readily achievable oreasily accomplished.

Alterations to "Public Accommodations" generally must be readilyaccessible and usable by the disabled to the maximum extent feasibleif alterations began after January 26, 1992, and if the cost is notdisproportionate relative to the overall cost of the alteration.

New construction of "Public Accommodations" must be readily accessibleand usable by the disabled if the facility is occupied after January 26, 1993,assuming the last official permission - such as a building permit - wasissued after January 26, 1992. Note that for such new construction,compliance is not limited by disproportionate cost or readily

achievable rules.




D. DEFINITION OF TERMS1. ACCESSIBLE

To allow people with a variety of disabilities the ability toenter and use the facilities and services of buildings and siteswhich are open to the public.

2. ADAAbbreviation for "Americans with Disabilities Act"; a lawgiving people with disabilities as much access as possible topublic buildings, services, and employment.

3. BRAILLEBraille is a reading system of tactile dot patterns used by thevisually impaired. Each Braille character, or "cell", iscomposed of up to six raised dots. The number and locationof the dots indicates the character(s) it represents.Grade 1 Braille is the alphabet,"letter-for-letter".Grade 2 Braille is required by ADA. Grade 2 Brailleuses the same character dot cells as Grade 1, but is not a"letter-for-letter" scheme. Grade 2 Braille contains close to200 contracted words and word fragments.Grade 3 Braille is a shorthand form.

4. COMMERCEMeans travel, trade, traffic, transportation, or communication.

5. SIGNSDisplayed verbal, symbolic, tactile, and pictorial information.

6. TACTILEDescribes an object that can be perceived using thesense of touch.

7. COMMERCIAL FACILITIESFacilities that are intended for non-residential use by aprivate entity and whose operations affect commerce.

8. PUBLIC ACCOMMODATIONS• Social service center establishments• Places of lodging• Places of education• Places of exhibition or entertainment• Places of recreation• Places of public display or collection• Places of public gathering• Sales or rental establishments• Stations used for public transportation




E. EASY REFERENCE CHART FOR ADA SIGNAGE


Documents

A. SIGN REGULATIONS: Permanent Room … signage guidelines are primarily intended to make facilities accessible to the blind, visually-impaired, and mobility-impaired. All public facilities