By Law: What signs you need

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in all areas of public life, including employment, transportation, and access to public spaces. One of the most visible aspects of the ADA is the requirement for businesses and public buildings to provide accessible entrances, restrooms, and other facilities for people with disabilities. In order to ensure compliance with these requirements, the ADA also mandates certain signage for every business and public building.

The ADA requires that all businesses and public buildings display the International Symbol of Accessibility, also known as the “wheelchair symbol,” to identify accessible parking spaces, entrances, and facilities. The symbol is a white image of a person sitting in a wheelchair against a blue background, and it must be displayed on signs identifying accessible parking spaces, entrances, restrooms, and other facilities.

In addition to the International Symbol of Accessibility, the ADA also requires specific signage for certain areas of public buildings and businesses. For example, every accessible restroom must have a sign identifying it as such, with the wheelchair symbol and the word “restroom” or “toilet” in raised tactile characters and contrasting colors. The sign must also include the International Braille and Tactile Symbol for Restroom or Toilet to ensure that people who are blind or visually impaired can read the sign.

The ADA also requires signage for accessible exits, stairways, and elevators. Accessible exits must be clearly marked with a sign that identifies the exit as accessible, and stairways must be identified with signs that indicate the floor level, the stairway’s destination, and the direction of travel. Elevators must also have signs that identify the elevator as accessible and provide information about the floor level and the direction of travel.

Finally, the ADA requires that businesses and public buildings provide wayfinding signage to help people with disabilities navigate the building. Wayfinding signage should identify the location of accessible entrances, restrooms, and other facilities, as well as provide information about the layout of the building and the location of important amenities like telephones and water fountains.

Overall, the ADA’s signage requirements are designed to promote accessibility and ensure that people with disabilities have equal access to public buildings and businesses. By displaying the required signage, businesses and public entities can help to create a more welcoming and inclusive environment for all people.