ADA Compliant Restroom Sign Guide
To make your building accessible to everyone, that means adding braille signs to just about every room, including an ADA all gender restroom sign. The goal is to help visually impaired guests and employees know exactly where they are and where they are going at all times. It’s very important, however, that the signs be ADA compliant — and here’s what that exactly means.
Understanding the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal law in the United States that prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities. The ADA applies to various aspects of public life, including signage requirements for public buildings, including restrooms.
ADA compliant braille restroom signs are mandatory in all public buildings, such as hotels, hospitals, office buildings, restaurants, and other facilities that are open to the public.
Importance of an ADA All Gender Restroom Sign
ADA compliant Braille restroom signs are not only legally required but also play a vital role in ensuring accessibility for individuals with visual impairments. These signs provide important information in tactile and braille formats, enabling individuals with visual disabilities to navigate public facilities independently and with dignity.
Requirements for ADA Compliant Braille Restroom Signs
To ensure that your braille restroom sign is ADA compliant, it must meet specific requirements. These requirements include:
Size and Location: ADA compliant braille restroom signs must be mounted on the wall adjacent to the latch side of the restroom door, at a height of 48 inches above the finished floor. The sign must be located so that it is not obstructed by any other objects and is easily visible to users.
Braille Requirements: The braille on the sign must comply with the ADA standards for tactile signs. This includes using Grade 2 Braille, which consists of contracted braille that is easier to read for individuals who are blind or visually impaired.
The braille characters must be raised and rounded, with a dome-shaped top, and located directly below the corresponding text.
Text Requirements: The text on the braille restroom sign must comply with ADA requirements, which include using sans-serif fonts such as Helvetica or Arial, and ensuring that the characters are uppercase, with proper spacing and letter height. The text must be raised at least 1/32 of an inch from the surface of the sign, and the characters must contrast with the background color to ensure legibility.
Pictogram Requirements: ADA compliant braille restroom signs must also include pictograms, which are graphic symbols that provide visual representations of the sign’s message. Pictograms must meet specific requirements, including having a field height of at least 6 inches, using simple and easy-to-understand symbols, and having a 3/8 inch stroke width.
Material and Contrast Requirements: The material used for the braille restroom sign must be durable, non-glare, and easy to clean. The sign must also have high contrast between the characters and the background color to ensure legibility for individuals with visual impairments. The contrast must be at least 70% between the characters and the background color.
Language Requirements: ADA compliant braille restroom signs must include text in both English and braille. The text must use simple and concise language to convey the sign’s message clearly and effectively to individuals with visual impairments.
International Symbol of Accessibility: The International Symbol of Accessibility, which is a white graphic of a figure in a wheelchair on a blue background, must also be included on the braille restroom sign. The symbol must be placed directly above the text and must have a field height of at least 3/4 inch.
If you’re looking for an ADA all gender restroom sign, check out Braille Sign Pros’ collection, which includes a variety of colors, shapes, and customization options. All of their signs are ADA compliant so you are free to choose the one that matches your building’s style needs the best while simultaneously helping visually impaired guests find the restroom with ease.
