Eye Catch Signs has prepared this brief overview to guide users about the intent of the ADA's Accessibility Guidelines (ADAAG), for accessible signage.
4:30.1 General – Signage required to be accessible by 4.1 shall comply with the applicable provisions of 4.30.
4.30.2 Character Proportion – Tactile letters and numbers on signs shall have a width-to-height ratio between 3:5 and 1:1 and a stroke-width-to-height ratio between 1:5 and 1:10.
4.30.3 Character Height – Characters and numbers on signs shall be sized according to the viewing distance from which they are to be read. The minimum height is measured using an upper case X. Lower case characters are permitted.
Height above minimum finished floor character height – suspended or projected 3 in (75mm). Overhead in minimum compliance with 4.4.2
4.30.4 Raised and Brailled Characters and Pictoral Symbol Signs (Pictograms) – Letters and numerals shall be raised 1/32 in, upper case, sans serif or simple serif type and shall be accompanied with Grade 2 Braille. Raised characters shall be at least 5/8 in (16mm) high, but no higher than 2 in (50mm). Pictograms shall be accompanied by the equivalent verbal description placed directly below the pictogram. The border dimention of the pictogram shall be 6 in (152mm) minimum in height.
4.30.5 Finish and Contrast – The characters and background of signs shall be eggshell, matt or other non-glare finish. Characters and symbols shall contrast with their background – either light characters on a dark background or dark characters on a light background.
4.30.6 Mounting Location and Height – Where permanent identification is provided for rooms and spaces, signs shall be installed on the wall adjacent to the latch side of the door. Where there is no wall space to the latch side of the door, including at double leaf doors, signs shall be placed on the nearest adjacent wall. Mounting height shall be 60 in (1525mm) above the finish floor to the centre line of the sign. Mounting location for such signage shall be so that a person may approach within 3 in (76mm) of signage without encountering protruding objects or standing within the swing of a door.
4.30.7 Symbols of Accessibility – (1) Facilities and elements required to be identified as accessible by 4.1 shall use the international sign of accessibility.