Much like businesses are not allowed to discriminate based on nation of origin, race, religion, or sex, individuals with disabilities are also guaranteed the same civil rights as all other citizens under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The ADA guarantees equal opportunities for people with disabilities in local and state government services, employment, telecommunications, transportation, and public accommodations.
There is also a long list of requirements for signage outlined in the ADA. Complying with the signage standards set forth in the ADA Accessibility Guidelines (ADAAG) is required. If your business does not comply, you are leaving yourself open to lawsuits and hefty fines. To point you in the right direction, we have created a handy checklist of ADA compliant signs for Orlando.
Restroom Signs
When you think of ADA bathroom signs, the international symbol of accessibility probably comes to mind with the familiar wheelchair icon. This is important, but the restroom signs must also be high contrast and include braille.
Rescue Assistance Signs
In the event of an emergency, it may be tough for people with mobility issues to exit a multiple story building. On each upper floor, you should have designated areas of rescue assistance for this reason. These areas should also be clearly labeled, so wheelchair-bound patrons and rescue personnel will know where to go.
Permanent Rooms and Amenities
You are required to have names, designations, or labels for interior rooms that are not likely to have different functionality over time. This includes interior signs labeling room names as well as room and floor numbers or letters. There must also be tactile text descriptors for pictograms that are used to identify a permanent space.
Directory Signs
These are best near elevators and should include emergency evacuation routes, areas of rescue assistance, and accessibility routes. In addition, to make visiting your building more enjoyable for individuals with disabilities, listings of different offices within your facility rendered in braille are helpful.
Stairwell Signage
You are required to install tactile signs inside of each stairwell door. These signs should identify the exit level, floor level, and stair level. Based on local fire codes, these signs must be a specific size. Depending on where you are located, we can assist you in picking appropriate markers.
These are the most requested ADA signs and are a good start in making your office’s interior compliant with the ADA. There are also several requirements that dictate what finishes can be used on the signs, what fonts can be used, how large the signs need to be, how far apart the letters should be, how the ADS signs Orlando businesses use must be mounted, and so on.
For the novice property managers, navigating the regulations set out in the ADAAG can be daunting. Fortunately, Citrus Sign Studio has plenty of experience outfitting local business with the appropriate markers. If you are ready to welcome disabled visitors to your facilities without dealing with the hassle of learning the law, let us take care of every step of the ADA signage process. For a free consultation and quote, contact Citrus Sign Studio today!
