The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was a significant landmark in the fight for equal access for people with disabilities. It helps to improve the lives of millions of Americans every single day and has inspired other countries and international activists to follow suit. Business owners are responsible for making sure that their company and its assets are compliant with the relevant standards and regulations. Here is our guide to help you understand the accessible signage guidelines and implement them in your designs.

The lowdown on accessible signage guidelines 

The history of the struggle for equality for individuals with disabilities is a fascinating one. 

On 12 March 1990, disability rights activists descended on Washington. They demanded the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which would give equal rights to people with disabilities.

The critical event of the day was called the Capitol Crawl, when 60 activists abandoned their wheelchairs and mobility devices. They then began crawling the 83 stone steps up to the U.S. Capitol Building.

Now, the protest is celebrated as a critical contribution that helped to push President George H.W. Bush to sign the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. 

The ADA standards outline regulations about the construction of buildings and the designs for signs too. 

These include measures like constructing accessible parking, entrances, paths of travel and restrooms, and signs that allow people with disabilities to access spaces independently and safely.

Why should I make my signs accessible?

We can only truly see the world through our own eyes. Unfortunately, this means that people without disabilities may overlook accessibility as they don’t need it themselves. They may also be unaware of the challenges facing individuals with disabilities.

It’s important to understand that there are severe consequences if you don’t make sure that you are compliant with accessible signage guidelines.

First, compliance is a legal requirement. The ADA is a federal law. However, you should be aware that your state or municipality might have additional regulations regarding accessibility. If you do not comply, you could be saddled with a hefty fine and be required to become compliant.

Second, by making your signs compliant, you are making them accessible to a much wider audience. You might be losing existing and potential new customers all the time and not even know it because they have difficulty using your services.

Lastly, if your signs are not accessible, you could be alienating some of your staff. This can have detrimental effects on their mental health and also on their job performance and productivity.

As a result, staying ADA compliant will both help your community and be beneficial for your business.

Which signs must be accessible?

ADA signs are necessary for all the areas of your business that the employees or your staff have access to.

In general, signs that need to be compliant should include but aren’t limited to the following:

• All directional signs such as ones pointing to your reception.
• Signage that you use to identify permanently dedicated rooms that will not change function, such as a restroom, lunchroom, storage room, conference room, restroom, or closet.
• All informational signs like “Employees Only.”
• Signs highlighting the location of building floors, stairwells, and all exit levels.
• Restroom signs.
• The different types of overhead signs like “Stairs.”

Design tips for accessible signs

Reading the entire American Disabilities Act can be quite challenging. So to help you out, here are some tips on complying with the main accessible signage guidelines. 

You’ll notice that many of these standards are centered around assisting people with visual impairments to understand your signs.

These regulations apply for interior and exterior signage. 

Color palette

One of the critical requirements for ADA signs is to choose a suitable color palette. Using some color combinations can make it far more difficult to distinguish and understand the content of the board. 

One reason that this happens is that the colors are too similar. Another is that shades that clash too much can blur. Besides this, some visual impairments like color blindness impact how people distinguish between colors.

Examples of “bad” combinations are red/green, purple/blue, orange/yellow, or two hues of any one color.

Therefore, you need to use contrasting colors on ADA signs. Typically, these types of palettes are best for any kind of sign.

You can use a color wheel to help you decide on the perfect combination by choosing complementary shades. These are pairs that sit opposite each other on the circle.

Of course, a quick and easy way to create contrast is to use light and dark colors. This will help distinguish between the different elements of the design. For example, the background can be a dark blue while the text and symbol are white.

Say no to glare

Another feature that is notorious for making signs challenging to understand is glare. This refers to the difficulty of seeing in the presence of bright light. In the case of signage, it usually happens when sunlight or artificial lighting is reflected off its surface.

To make your signs accessible, you need to ask your sign company to coat the surface with a non-glare finish. Remember that it has to cover both the background and the characters or other content.

The board might look less glossy and shiny. But at least it will be visible.

Also, be mindful of the position of the sun or artificial lights relative to the sign.

Working with text

For compliancy, your ADA signs must include braille as well as tactile (raised) letters. 

The braille needs to be Grade 2, also known as shorthand braille. This system incorporates 189 contractions and short-form words. Because the braille is so condensed, it is ideal for the limited amount of space on signs.

The shapes of the dots need to rounded or domed. And they should be lower case except if the words are proper nouns, initials, acronyms, the first word of a sentence, or if the letters are part of a room number.

Besides this, you need to place the braille below the text with a 3/8 inch clearance on each side.

On the other hand, tactile lettering must be 1/32 inch raised capital letters.

Only the best fonts

Next, you have to choose the right typeface for your accessible signs. There is an ever-growing variety of beautiful and exciting fonts to choose from. However, there are a few specific guidelines that you need to follow to be compliant. 

Thankfully, the regulations are relatively straightforward to apply:

• The font needs to be sans serif.
• All of the characters have to be uppercase.
• Don’t use styles that are oblique, italic, or too condensed. Neither should you use ones that are ornamental, script, or unusual.
• You should choose a typeface with characters where the width of the uppercase letter “O” is 55 percent minimum and 110 percent maximum of the height of the uppercase letter “I.”
• The text height has to be between ⅝ inch and 2 inches.

Overall, applying these standards will make the content of your designs more comfortable to read.

So, a few popular fonts that are ideal are:

• Futura
• Helvetica
• Franklin Gothic
• Optima
• Verdana
• Trebuchet
• Arial Bold
• Avenir Medium
• Eras
• Frutiger
• Lucida Demibold

Use specific spacing

You’re not done with the text yet. Aside from the above, you should check that you use approved spacing protocols.

You should measure the distance between the two closest points of adjacent tactile characters. In short, the spacing between them should be a minimum of ⅛ inches. The guideline excludes word spaces.

On top of this, characters should be at least ⅜ inch away from borders or other decorative elements.

Symbols all the way

Symbols are fantastic tools in communication. You can use them to make any sign easier to understand.

Your ADA signs must contain the applicable ISA symbols and other relevant graphics. Which you need might depend on local requirements and those for your specific type of company.

However, everyone needs to use the following pictograms:

• Wheelchair
• Ear to symbolize the availability of an assistive listening device
• Phone symbol with sound waves for volume control phone
• A keyboard, representing a text telephone

Other recommended symbols are ones for:

• Different types of restrooms
• Stair accessibility
• Safety signs like ones for a fire extinguisher

You need to design the signs so that the pictograms sits alone on a 6-inch high background area. Provide text descriptions for signs with a symbol to label rooms or spaces. But signage with pictograms that provide additional information about a room don’t require text.

Place tactile text directly underneath the graphic and braille underneath that.

Be selective

We all want to make our signs exciting and pleasing to the eye. But that shouldn’t always be your top priority. In terms of ADA signs, it is all about accessibility and sticking to regulations.

That’s why you want to be incredibly picky about the context of your signage. In this case, you should only include the content that is necessary. Usually, this will only include the tactile text, braille text, and the relevant symbols.

Perhaps, you could also incorporate a border around the edges to improve the overall visibility. But in most cases, that’s all.

So, in the end, your design is going to be clear and clutter-free.

You can save all the extras for your other signage. If you want to incorporate more personality, use a combination of compliant signs and others, which allow you to get creative while still providing equal access.

Get the installation right

Don’t make the mistake of thinking that the design only refers to the content and appearance of the sign. The process applies to all the aspects of creating your signage. One of these is how they are mounted. 

According to the ADA, there are specific requirements you need to use when installing accessible signage.

Usually, you need to place signs that identify rooms next to the relevant door. It should be mounted between 48 inches, measured from the bottom of the lowest raised character, and 60 inches, measured from the bottom of the highest, from the ground.

You can use these same height guidelines for most types of ADA signs unless the relevant regulations state otherwise.

The deal with parking signs

Generally, the standards apply in more or less the same way to all types of signs. However, it is a different case altogether for accessible parking signs. These are signs that you usually mount outdoors to indicate ADA parking spaces.

Each one has to include the International Symbol of Accessibility, which is the wheelchair symbol. And you need to mount it a minimum of 60 inches from the floor so that your visitors can see it.

If you have spots that are dedicated for vans, you should incorporate the text “Van Accessible” into the design.

Asking the pros

There is much to be learned about making signs the right way. Besides ADA compliance, you need to worry about other factors, like the effectiveness of the sign as well. No wonder designing signage can be a daunting task.

Luckily there are experts out there who know all the ins and outs of the industry. Consult with them about the designs for all the signs you want to print. They can help make sure they are up to standard.

Many professional companies have ready-made options for you, as well. If you are in a hurry and just need to get a few basics signs, you could choose one from their collection.

Essential signage

Following these tips is the first step to making sure you are compliant with accessible signage guidelines. But as we’ve said, one of the most crucial is contacting your local sign making company and asking their advice. They can help you make your designs a reality.

This isn’t the only essential information that you need to know when creating signage for your business. If you want to know more, take a look at the restaurant owner’s guide to meeting safety requirements for signs and designing signs for colorblind viewers.

Safety should be at the top of any business’s list of priorities. But no more so than for restaurants. Any company that is in the food preparation services has quite a challenge ahead of them.

Installing safety signs are one of the measures they need to take to minimize the risk of harm for both their customers and their staff. These businesses need to follow guidelines set out by the relevant health and safety authorities.

If you own a restaurant, read below for our guide to complying with the requirements for safety signs.

Regulations for safety signs

Unfortunately, there is a lot that can potentially go wrong in a restaurant. Significantly, you need to follow specific regulations to maintain hygiene standards for food preparation. Therefore, you need safety signs to advise your staff on how to handle food correctly.

Posters are a fantastic way to help you enforce necessary rules and guidelines.

Generally, restaurants also own and use equipment that can be harmful. So you need to warn your customers and staff. In some cases, you need to put up signs with instructions on how to operate it correctly.

But not only that. Restaurants that do not comply will get into trouble with local authorities. They might issue your business with fines. Or even suspend your license and close the establishment.

Besides this, you need to protect your company from liability. Regrettably, people get hurt all the time, and it might even happen on your premises. Installing the right signs can help you to protect your business from legal action.

For all these reasons, restaurants need to comply with the requirements set up by the relevant authorities like OSHA, ANSI, and the FDA.

Note that there might be slightly different requirements depending on the specific state and location.  For example, a useful resource for businesses in Michigan is the Michigan Food Safety website.

Remember to regularly check the relevant websites and publications to see if the guidelines have changed so that you can stay up to date.

Types of safety signs

For your convenience, we have divided the different types of safety signage into five categories. Each of them covers a range of signs related to specific hazards in your restaurant. They include most of the vital posters that you need.

But remember that every business and location is unique. So the requirements might be slightly different in each case.

1 – Hygiene signs

The first group we need to talk about are hygiene signs. Everyone needs reminders sometimes. These posters are necessary to help avoid unhygienic practices in aspects like food prep, food cooking, food washing, and food storage. It plays a critical role in establishing and maintaining a strict hygiene policy.

Besides this, it is an essential part of making your company compliant.

You will need to install the majority of signs in the kitchen as well as other applicable locations. All in all, restaurants need to place them wherever a hazard can be avoided adequately or reduced in another way.

Handwashing

You need to install signs to notify staff to wash their hands. They are necessary at every sink that your food employees use.

Food preparation

There are a variety of signs you can install to help keep your preparation areas hygienic. The posters include ones for:

• Chopping board and knives
• Defrosted food not refrozen
• Raw meat only
• All food must be covered
• Waste in bins provided
• Fish only
• Leave basin clean
• Hairnet reminders

Sink

Besides these signs, you also need to mark the sinks for specific uses. This is useful to maintain sanitary conditions and to prevent cross-contamination.

The main sinks are:

• Those for food wash
• Sink for utensil wash
• Those for hand-washing

Storage

Any restaurant owner knows how critical it is to store food safely. There are regulations to control the temperature at which you store the food. Plus it is mandatory to mark the date on which it was prepared. Signs can be a great way to to help enforce these guidelines.

2 – Chemical safety storage signs

Most businesses will have a variety of chemicals on location. These include substances that you can use in cleaning, operation of machinery, and even for first aid. More likely than not, some of these materials might be hazardous, meaning people need to take care when they use or store it.

That’s why you need to install signs to warn both your customers and employees. On top of this, they can provide information and instructions for safe use. And you can inform them of measures they can take if anything goes wrong like spills.

Chemical warning

Businesses have to restrict and control access to potentially hazardous substances on your premises. At a restaurant, this will mostly involve cleaning materials.

Protective clothing

Depending on the types of chemicals, you might need to install signs advising people to use protective clothing. It can include items like gloves or eye protection.

Cleaning in progress

Another safety sign that you need is one to notify people that “cleaning is in progress.” This can help you to restrict access to protect people from slipping or falling and from contact with chemicals.

Wash hands after

In some cases, people need to wash their hands immediately after using certain chemicals. To help prevent injury, you can benefit from installing a reminder to wash their hands after use.

Flammable symbol

As a restaurant owner, you need to make sure to install signs with symbols to warn people of flammable materials.

3 – Dangerous equipment

Another type of safety sign that you should consider are ones for potentially dangerous equipment. Once again, you have to provide warnings, as well as signs that give instructions and information for correct use.

These signs can help keep people safe. In the end, it is necessary to make your business compliant and to protect it from liability.

Operating instructions

Signs with operating instructions are a common way that businesses help ensure operator safety. Sometimes these might even be mandated by regulating authorities. In a restaurant, for example, this might be necessary for cooking equipment like gas stoves.

Protective clothing

Once again, you might need signs to advise the use of protective clothing like safety glasses.

4 – General safety signs

Besides all of the above, you need to commission signage for general health and safety rules. These are used for a wide variety of purposes, and you will need to place them throughout your restaurant.

Overall, the posters are there to help you create a safer environment by providing warnings and notifying people of safeguards.

Alcohol warnings

Any establishment that sells alcohol needs to have a “no underage drinking sign.” If your restaurant has a bar area, this is the best place to install it.

You could also include a sign with a warning for pregnant women about drinking alcohol.

Age restriction

Some establishments might have a general age restriction like nightclubs. But these can also be very useful to restrict access to specific areas of your restaurant like the bar.

Exit signs

A few of the most important signs that you need to install in any business are exit signs. You need to clearly mark the doorway as well as the route to it. This is necessary for general emergency exits and fire exits.

No smoking

Since 2010, smoking is prohibited in most public places in Michigan. These places include restaurants. Preferably you should install more than one depending on the size of your business like placing one outside and one inside.

Anti-choking signs

According to the law, a food service establishment that sells solid food for on-premises consumption needs signs to help prevent asphyxiation. 

It needs to have a diagram to explain anti-choking techniques that are safe for both adults and children. These need to be approved by the health department for dislodging foreign obstacles caught in a choking victim’s throat.

Safety equipment

All businesses need to have signage to notify people of the location of your safety equipment. We recommend that you give some operating instructions too.

Examples are:

• First aid symbols
• Fire extinguisher
• Fire hose

Allergy information

Unfortunately, one of the biggest dangers of any food establishment is potential allergies. It is usual to warn your customers of common allergens in the food on the menu.

But you need to inform your staff too. On top of training, an allergy information sheet like this can be extremely useful. One of the best places to install this is usually the kitchen.

5 – Site based safety signs

The last category involves signage that is based on the specific requirements of your site. These posters contribute to the overall experience of clients and employees in your restaurant. 

Therefore, they are important for risk management. But it can also help make the way your business functions more efficient.

Preventing slipping, tripping, bumping and falling

Any business has to try to prevent injuries on their premises. You need to install these warnings at any potential hazard. For example, use posters to warn people to mind their head, mind their step, or to be careful of slipping as in areas where the floor is wet.

Disclaimer

Any business needs to create and install disclaimers to protect the company from liability. Overall, it can be helpful to tailor them to your restaurant to make sure it accounts for all possible risks. That’s why you might want to consult your lawyer on its content.

Staff only

Another vital type of sign for a restaurant is “staff only” signs. These have more than one purpose. 

First, they help you to keep some areas away from your customer’s eyes. Second, they can help you to keep people safe by preventing access to areas with dangerous equipment or materials.

CCTV signs 

Do you have CCTV surveillance on your premises?

If you do, remember to put up signs to notify people of this. You have to hang some of these on the outside as well as inside your restaurant.

Other important posters

Not everything you are required to display will necessarily come in the form of conventional signs. In the case of licensing, you might have to hang the actual certificate or license that was printed by the specific authority. 

However, because they are such a crucial part of keeping and showing that your business is compliant, we will cover the basics.

In short, here are some of the vital certificates and licenses that should be on display somewhere in your restaurant:

• Sidewalk cafe license
• Certificate of occupancy
• Foodservice establishment permit
• Sales tax certificate of authority
• Place of assembly certificate of operation and permit and maximum occupancy
• Liquor license
• Permits for equipment use

Creating the signs

Now that you know what signs you need, you need to find out more about the fabrication process.

As with all signage, one of your first steps should be to reach out to sign companies. Luckily, because these signs are so common, you might be able to buy some ready-made. Of course, you may need some of your signs to be custom made.

One benefit of a professional company is that they will be able to give you solid advice on the types of signs you will need. It’s likely they’ve had experience in creating these products for other restaurants.

Overall, a sign company can make the process much easier and help you stay on top of things.

One area that they will be able to assist you in is making sure that the design and build of the signage are also compliant. This involves the following:

• Signs have to be clear and legible.
• In terms of content, every sign needs to identify prohibited actions, safeguards, warn of hazards, or direct towards safety measures such as fire exits or equipment for fire safety or first aid. 
•  All signage needs to have round or blunted corners.
• Different signs need different backgrounds. Red is for prohibition, yellow for caution, green for positive action, and blue for mandatory action.
• The shapes also differ, like discs for prohibitions and instructions, triangles for warnings, and squares and rectangles for emergency and information signs.

A complete package

No doubt signs are one of the crucial tools in any business owner’s toolbox. Part of their significance lies in their versatility and flexibility. As we’ve said, safety signs play a critical role in making any company, including a restaurant a safer and more effective space.

But this isn’t the only essential use of signage. Besides this, one of the most significant uses of these products is in advertising. You can use them for both on-site and off-site promotions. 

If you are looking to update your promotional signs take a look at these tips & tricks to designing eye-catching business signs.