gemini-duets-ada-color-contrast-guide - Flipbook - Page 6
ADA signage
compliance tips.
Signs that require Braille and tactile lettering.
Signs designating permanent rooms and spaces that
are not likely to change over time must comply with
these standards. Braille and tactile lettering are required
so they can be located and accessed by people who
are functionally blind. Examples include restrooms,
room names and numbers, and floor numbers.
• Minimum 1/32" raised tactile characters
• Must use all uppercase, sans serif text
• Uppercase letter “I” must measure between 5/8" - 2"
• Must meet font requirements (see below)
• Must contain Contracted Braille (formerly Grade 2
Braille) with domed or rounded shape Braille dots
positioned under the corresponding text
• Braille must be separated by at least 3/8" from any
tactile character and at least 3/8" from raised border
or decorative graphic
• If pictograms are used, they must be in a field
measuring 6" high and accompanied by tactile and
Braille lettering below the field
Mounting requirements. The ADAAG indicates
specific requirements for the mounting height of signs
that require tactile lettering. The minimum height a
sign is to be mounted, measured from the floor to the
baseline of the lowest tactile character, is 48".
The maximum height a sign is to be mounted,
measured from the floor to the baseline of the highest
tactile character, is 60".
Clear space requirements. Signs with tactile
lettering are to be located in a position with a minimum
18" x 18" clear floor space (measured from the center
of the tactile lettering on the sign). This clear floor
space is to be beyond the arc of any door swing.
Signs that have dimensional requirements.
Directional and informational signs used in functional
spaces and overhead signs do not require Braille and
tactile lettering, but must have proper character
proportion and height, finish and contrast.
• May use upper and lowercase, or a combination
of both
• Font may be serif, simple serif or sanserif, but must
not be italic, oblique, script or highly decorative
• Characters and backgrounds must have a
non-glare finish
• Do not condense or extend typefaces
• Characters must contrast with their background
(either light color characters on a dark color
background, or dark color characters on a light
color background)
• Must meet font requirements (previous)
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• Text cannot be incorporated into pictograms
Font requirements. The ADAAG indicates specific
requirements for the stroke width and body width of
the font you use on signs using tactile lettering. The
stroke width of the uppercase letter “I” cannot be less
than 15% of the height of the character. And the body
width of the uppercase letter “O” is to be between 55%
and 110% of the height of the uppercase letter “I”.
• The size of the lettering is dependent on the distance
the sign reader is expected to be from the sign
• Characters and backgrounds must have a
non-glare finish
• Characters must contrast with their background
(either light color characters on a dark color
background, or dark color characters on a light
color background)
Signs with no requirements.
Signs used for building directories, menus, seat and
row designations in assembly areas, building names
and address, and company names or logos are not
required to comply with the guidelines.
