Posting
ADA signs in
and around an establishment is not done merely to comply with the rules set by
authorities. Companies genuinely use such graphics to assist disabled people
find their way around an establishment quickly and without the assistance of
others. Irrespective of what the disability is, these signs are there for the
benefit of others.
Who are these signs for?
Apart
from the visually impaired, such signs are also put up to help people with
physical handicaps. ADA
signs are displayed to help show the disabled where accessibility options such
as elevators and ramps are located. Graphics with pictures showing accessible
ramps, elevators, and even bathrooms for the wheelchair bound are installed to
assist these people find what they need to make things easier for them.
Requirements:
There
are several requirements that ADA
signs must fulfill to be compliant. All requirements intend to make these signs
beneficial and usable to the people that are dependent on gaining helpful
information from them.
To
ensure the signs are ADA
compliant, they should not be created on a reflective surface. Individuals who
suffer from visual impairments struggle with reflective signs. ADA signs should also
utilize high contrast between the lettering and the background. Till there is
proper contrast between the foreground and background an ADA sign can have almost any color.
For
brail signs to be useful they need to be sixty inches from the floor and have
to be accessible from three inches of the person, so that they can feel the
sign easily.
Color Contrast:
Few
of the combinations that can be seen on ADA
compliant signs include, white on black, white on blue, black on gray and black
on white. Such colors might seem a little boring, if one really thinks about
it, and with so many people choosing these color combinations for their signs,
it is quite natural to assume that these are the only signs that are acceptable
when it comes to color contrasts used for ADA signs.
The
truth is, there are a variety of colors that are pleasing and acceptable to use
for ADA signs.
Combinations that comply with ADA guidelines and can be opted for include, white
on dark brown, black on matte gold, ash on black, black on parchment, to
mention quite a few. In reality, there are mainly forty nine color combinations
that can be utilized on signs. Other options might vary from state to state.
Creating Artistic ADA Signs:
There
are several states that insist on using internationally recognizable pictograms
as signs. While this may restrict one’s options there are other workarounds to
such issues. All one needs to do is think imaginatively and find out ways to
incorporate the artistic side without getting in trouble with the law.
Here are some ideas that can be used:
Painting
artistic designs on the wall – owners can actually paint images next to the
doorway of the ladies' and men's room. They can choose to use funny drawings,
silhouettes, and even figures while the ADA
compliant signs can be posted on the door to comply with the law.
Post
funny signs - as ADA compliant
signs need to be posted at a certain height, one can play around with
these graphics a little. Owners can choose to use rustic looking signs, or give
a different texture to the wall itself.
It’s
best to hire a good sign making company to handle ADA sign requirements. There are several
providers in and around California that can
create creative ADA
signs by using state of the art machinery and material.