This animation explains requirements for signs in the ADA and ABA Standards.
This animation explains requirements for signs in the ADA and ABA Standards.

The standards cover informational signs and directional signs
The standards cover informational signs and directional signs

which must meet requirements for visual legibility.
which must meet requirements for visual legibility.

Examples include signs stating "Notice Employees Only" or those indicating the location of elevators.
Examples include signs stating "Notice Employees Only" or those indicating the location of elevators.

The standards also address signs that label permanent rooms and spaces, such as restrooms,
The standards also address signs that label permanent rooms and spaces, such as restrooms,

and require them to be tactile as well as visually accessible.
and require them to be tactile as well as visually accessible.

Some types of signs are exempted from coverage and are not required to comply.
Some types of signs are exempted from coverage and are not required to comply.

These include:
These include:

Temporary signs such as those indicating an element is currently out of service
Temporary signs such as those indicating an element is currently out of service

Building addresses and directories
Building addresses and directories

Company names and logos Occupant names
Company names and logos Occupant names

Menus Seat and row designations in assembly areas
Menus Seat and row designations in assembly areas

Signs in non-public areas of detention and correctional facilities
Signs in non-public areas of detention and correctional facilities

The sign requirements generally apply only where signs are provided, but the standards
The sign requirements generally apply only where signs are provided, but the standards

do require the provision of signs to identify certain accessible elements and spaces,
do require the provision of signs to identify certain accessible elements and spaces,

such as entrances, restrooms, and parking spaces.
such as entrances, restrooms, and parking spaces.

These signs must include specified international symbols that are depicted in the standards,
These signs must include specified international symbols that are depicted in the standards,

including the International Symbol of Accessibility or ISA.
including the International Symbol of Accessibility or ISA.

The required symbol must be either light against a dark background or dark against a light background.
The required symbol must be either light against a dark background or dark against a light background.

The standards do not specify particular colors, levels of contrast, or sign size,
The standards do not specify particular colors, levels of contrast, or sign size,

but they do require signs to have a non-glare finish.
but they do require signs to have a non-glare finish.

Accessible entrances of a facility must be labeled by the ISA
Accessible entrances of a facility must be labeled by the ISA

if some of the entrances are inaccessible.
if some of the entrances are inaccessible.

In addition, directional signs with the ISA must be provided at inaccessible entrances
In addition, directional signs with the ISA must be provided at inaccessible entrances

to indicate the location of the nearest accessible entrance.
to indicate the location of the nearest accessible entrance.

Similar provisions apply to the labelling of accessible toilet rooms and bathing facilities
Similar provisions apply to the labelling of accessible toilet rooms and bathing facilities

when not all are accessible.
when not all are accessible.

Aside from the ISA, additional content for directional signs is not specified
Aside from the ISA, additional content for directional signs is not specified

and may simply include an arrow.
and may simply include an arrow.

However, verbiage such as "Accessible Entrance" or further detail on location,
However, verbiage such as "Accessible Entrance" or further detail on location,

for example "Use C Street Entrance", can be helpful.
for example "Use C Street Entrance", can be helpful.

Directional signs should be located to prevent or minimize back-tracking.
Directional signs should be located to prevent or minimize back-tracking.

A directional sign located at the beginning of the approach to an inaccessible entrance
A directional sign located at the beginning of the approach to an inaccessible entrance

is usually more convenient then one placed immediately at the entrance.
is usually more convenient then one placed immediately at the entrance.

The ISA also must be used to identify accessible parking spaces.
The ISA also must be used to identify accessible parking spaces.

In addition, compliant checkout aisles must be labelled by the ISA unless all of them are accessible.
In addition, compliant checkout aisles must be labelled by the ISA unless all of them are accessible.

The International Symbol of Access for Hearing Loss, which depicts the shape of an ear and a diagonal line,
The International Symbol of Access for Hearing Loss, which depicts the shape of an ear and a diagonal line,

is required to indicate the availability of assistive listening systems serving assembly areas.
is required to indicate the availability of assistive listening systems serving assembly areas.

The International TTY symbol, which shows a phone handset above a keypad,
The International TTY symbol, which shows a phone handset above a keypad,

must be provided to identify public payphones that are equipped with TTYs
must be provided to identify public payphones that are equipped with TTYs

or text telephones and indicate their location on directional signs.
or text telephones and indicate their location on directional signs.

Some signs must be tactile and have both raised characters and braille
Some signs must be tactile and have both raised characters and braille

in addition to being visually accessible.
in addition to being visually accessible.

These requirements apply to signs that identify "permanent" rooms and spaces,
These requirements apply to signs that identify "permanent" rooms and spaces,

meaning those whose function, and thus designation,
meaning those whose function, and thus designation,

is not likely to change over time or without significant alteration.
is not likely to change over time or without significant alteration.

Examples include: Room and floor numbers or letters
Examples include: Room and floor numbers or letters

Room names Labels for restrooms, locker rooms, cafeterias,
Room names Labels for restrooms, locker rooms, cafeterias,

libraries, conference rooms, break rooms, mechanical rooms, areas of refuge
libraries, conference rooms, break rooms, mechanical rooms, areas of refuge

and other permanent rooms and spaces
and other permanent rooms and spaces

In addition, tactile and visual signs must be provided to label exit doors at exit stairways,
In addition, tactile and visual signs must be provided to label exit doors at exit stairways,

exit passageways, and exit discharge.
exit passageways, and exit discharge.

They also are required where signs are provided to identify rail stations or station entrances.
They also are required where signs are provided to identify rail stations or station entrances.

The standards limit the requirements for tactile characters to those types of signs that are
The standards limit the requirements for tactile characters to those types of signs that are

usually located at a door or doorway.
usually located at a door or doorway.

For people with little or no vision, doors and doorways provide a cue
For people with little or no vision, doors and doorways provide a cue

that helps locate signs by touch.
that helps locate signs by touch.

Other types of signs, including informational and directional signs, are not as easy to
Other types of signs, including informational and directional signs, are not as easy to

locate tactilely because they are not often consistently placed in proximity to doors.
locate tactilely because they are not often consistently placed in proximity to doors.

Tactile signs must be installed so that the baseline of tactile characters is within
Tactile signs must be installed so that the baseline of tactile characters is within

a range of 48 inches minimum and 60 inches maximum above the floor or ground.
a range of 48 inches minimum and 60 inches maximum above the floor or ground.

A required clear floor space that is 18 inches by 18 inches and centered on the tactile characters
A required clear floor space that is 18 inches by 18 inches and centered on the tactile characters

ensures unobstructed standing space close to the sign.
ensures unobstructed standing space close to the sign.

This space must be free of any protrusions to a height of 80 inches.
This space must be free of any protrusions to a height of 80 inches.

For safety, no door can swing into this space when open to 45 degrees.
For safety, no door can swing into this space when open to 45 degrees.

Tactile signs must be on the latch side of doors.
Tactile signs must be on the latch side of doors.

There is no exception where glass walls or partitions or side lights are present.
There is no exception where glass walls or partitions or side lights are present.

If there is no wall space at this location, then signs must be placed on the nearest adjacent wall.
If there is no wall space at this location, then signs must be placed on the nearest adjacent wall.

Signs can be installed on the push side of doors that have closers and do not have devices
Signs can be installed on the push side of doors that have closers and do not have devices

that keep the door in an open positon.
that keep the door in an open positon.

At double doors with two active leafs, the sign must be located on the right side.
At double doors with two active leafs, the sign must be located on the right side.

Where one leaf is inactive, the sign is required on the inactive leaf.
Where one leaf is inactive, the sign is required on the inactive leaf.

Tactile signs, such as the label for a family restroom shown here,
Tactile signs, such as the label for a family restroom shown here,

must be visually accessible as well.
must be visually accessible as well.

A non-glare finish is required for the sign, and characters must contrast from the background
A non-glare finish is required for the sign, and characters must contrast from the background

either light-on-dark or dark-on-light.
either light-on-dark or dark-on-light.

A minimum level of contrast is not specified, but the higher the contrast the better,
A minimum level of contrast is not specified, but the higher the contrast the better,

especially for people with low vision.
especially for people with low vision.

Raised characters must be upper case and sans serif.
Raised characters must be upper case and sans serif.

They cannot be Italic, oblique, script, highly decorative, or of other unusual forms.
They cannot be Italic, oblique, script, highly decorative, or of other unusual forms.

Characters must be selected from fonts where the width of the uppercase letter "O"
Characters must be selected from fonts where the width of the uppercase letter "O"

is between 55% and 110% of the height of uppercase letter "I".
is between 55% and 110% of the height of uppercase letter "I".

Line spacing is required to be 135% to 170% of the height of raised characters.
Line spacing is required to be 135% to 170% of the height of raised characters.

Where provided, raised borders or decorative elements must be separated at least 3/8 of an inch
Where provided, raised borders or decorative elements must be separated at least 3/8 of an inch

from raised characters so that they do not interfere with reading by touch.
from raised characters so that they do not interfere with reading by touch.

Characters must be 5/8 of an inch to 2 inches high based on the uppercase letter "I".
Characters must be 5/8 of an inch to 2 inches high based on the uppercase letter "I".

The stroke thickness, cannot exceed 15% of the character height.
The stroke thickness, cannot exceed 15% of the character height.

Characters must be raised at least 1/32 of an inch.
Characters must be raised at least 1/32 of an inch.

Spacing between the two closest points of adjacent raised characters is required to
Spacing between the two closest points of adjacent raised characters is required to

be at least 1/8 of an inch and no more than four times the character stroke width.
be at least 1/8 of an inch and no more than four times the character stroke width.

If characters have non-rectangular cross sections,
If characters have non-rectangular cross sections,

this spacing range applies to the top of the cross section.
this spacing range applies to the top of the cross section.

The spacing at the base of the cross section must be at least 1/16 of an inch
The spacing at the base of the cross section must be at least 1/16 of an inch

and no more than four times the character stroke width.
and no more than four times the character stroke width.

The content of raised characters also must be provided in contracted or "Grade II" braille.
The content of raised characters also must be provided in contracted or "Grade II" braille.

Braille is read with a light, sweeping touch, and braille dots must be domed or rounded.
Braille is read with a light, sweeping touch, and braille dots must be domed or rounded.

The standards specify the height and diameter of dots and their spacing within and between cells
The standards specify the height and diameter of dots and their spacing within and between cells

Braille must be located below the raised characters.
Braille must be located below the raised characters.

If text is multi-lined, braille is to be located below the entire text.
If text is multi-lined, braille is to be located below the entire text.

Braille must be separated by at least 3/8 of an inch from raised characters and,
Braille must be separated by at least 3/8 of an inch from raised characters and,

where provided, raised borders and decorative elements.
where provided, raised borders and decorative elements.

The indication of uppercase letters is to be used only for proper nouns and names,
The indication of uppercase letters is to be used only for proper nouns and names,

individual letters, initials, acronyms, and the first word of sentences.
individual letters, initials, acronyms, and the first word of sentences.

The international symbols for accessibility, hearing loss access, and TTYs
The international symbols for accessibility, hearing loss access, and TTYs

are the only pictograms mandated by the standards.
are the only pictograms mandated by the standards.

Requirements apply to other pictograms only where they are provided.
Requirements apply to other pictograms only where they are provided.

If a pictogram is used to label a permanent room or space, it must be on a field at least
If a pictogram is used to label a permanent room or space, it must be on a field at least

6 inches high as shown here on a family restroom sign.
6 inches high as shown here on a family restroom sign.

This measurement applies to the field, not the pictogram.
This measurement applies to the field, not the pictogram.

The raised and braille text descriptors must be located directly below,
The raised and braille text descriptors must be located directly below,

but not within, the pictogram field.
but not within, the pictogram field.

The pictogram itself is not required to be raised.
The pictogram itself is not required to be raised.

Pictograms and their field must have a non-glare finish and provide light-on-dark or dark-on-light contrast.
Pictograms and their field must have a non-glare finish and provide light-on-dark or dark-on-light contrast.

The requirements for the field height and text descriptors do not apply
The requirements for the field height and text descriptors do not apply

to informational pictograms, such as the international symbol of accessibility,
to informational pictograms, such as the international symbol of accessibility,

that may be included on a sign.
that may be included on a sign.

This is an important distinction.
This is an important distinction.

Only those pictograms that identify a permanent room or space must be on a field at least
Only those pictograms that identify a permanent room or space must be on a field at least

6 inches high and include tactile text descriptors.
6 inches high and include tactile text descriptors.

Examples include pictograms that label restrooms, stairways, and cafeterias.
Examples include pictograms that label restrooms, stairways, and cafeterias.

Pictograms that do not specifically label a room or space but instead provide
Pictograms that do not specifically label a room or space but instead provide

information about it, or direction to it, are not subject to the requirements for field height or text description.
information about it, or direction to it, are not subject to the requirements for field height or text description.

In addition to the international symbol of accessibility, other examples of these pictograms
In addition to the international symbol of accessibility, other examples of these pictograms

include the TTY symbol with a directional arrow, and icons that prohibit food and drink
include the TTY symbol with a directional arrow, and icons that prohibit food and drink

or that indicate hazardous materials.
or that indicate hazardous materials.

Signs that provide information about, or direction to, interior spaces and facilities must meet
Signs that provide information about, or direction to, interior spaces and facilities must meet

requirements for visual access but are not required to be tactile.
requirements for visual access but are not required to be tactile.

These specifications are slightly different than the visual requirements for tactile signs.
These specifications are slightly different than the visual requirements for tactile signs.

The baseline of visual characters must be at least 40 inches above the finish floor or ground.
The baseline of visual characters must be at least 40 inches above the finish floor or ground.

Signs located above circulation paths must provide a headroom clearance of at least 80 inches.
Signs located above circulation paths must provide a headroom clearance of at least 80 inches.

A non-glare finish is required, and characters must contrast from the background either light-on-dark
A non-glare finish is required, and characters must contrast from the background either light-on-dark

or dark-on-light.
or dark-on-light.

In this example of a sign stating "Visitors must sign in", a low level of contrast between
In this example of a sign stating "Visitors must sign in", a low level of contrast between

the character and background colors is not as readable as a higher level of contrast.
the character and background colors is not as readable as a higher level of contrast.

Unlike tactile characters, visual characters can be upper and lower case.
Unlike tactile characters, visual characters can be upper and lower case.

They cannot be italic, oblique, script, highly decorative, or of other unusual forms.
They cannot be italic, oblique, script, highly decorative, or of other unusual forms.

Line spacing is required to be 135% to 170% of the character height.
Line spacing is required to be 135% to 170% of the character height.

The stroke thickness is required to be from 10% to 30% of the height of the uppercase "I".
The stroke thickness is required to be from 10% to 30% of the height of the uppercase "I".

The space between the closest points of adjacent characters in the same word
The space between the closest points of adjacent characters in the same word

must be 10% to 35% of this height.
must be 10% to 35% of this height.

This does not apply to spaces between words.
This does not apply to spaces between words.

The character width is based on the uppercase letter "O" and must be from
The character width is based on the uppercase letter "O" and must be from

55% to 110% of the character height.
55% to 110% of the character height.

The minimum character height, which is based on the uppercase letter "I",
The minimum character height, which is based on the uppercase letter "I",

is determined by the height of the message on the sign and the viewing distance.
is determined by the height of the message on the sign and the viewing distance.

Where the baseline of visual characters is between 40 inches and 70 inches above the
Where the baseline of visual characters is between 40 inches and 70 inches above the

finish floor or ground, and the horizontal viewing distance is under 6 feet,
finish floor or ground, and the horizontal viewing distance is under 6 feet,

the character height must be at least 5/8 of an inch.
the character height must be at least 5/8 of an inch.

If the viewing distance, as determined by any fixed obstruction that
If the viewing distance, as determined by any fixed obstruction that

prevents a closer approach to the sign, is 6 feet or more,
prevents a closer approach to the sign, is 6 feet or more,

the character height is increased 1/8 of an inch for every additional foot of viewing distance over 6 feet.
the character height is increased 1/8 of an inch for every additional foot of viewing distance over 6 feet.

If characters are located above 70 inches to a height of 120 inches, they must be
If characters are located above 70 inches to a height of 120 inches, they must be

at least 2 inches high where the viewing distance is less than 15 feet.
at least 2 inches high where the viewing distance is less than 15 feet.

If the viewing distance is greater, then the minimum character height must be increased
If the viewing distance is greater, then the minimum character height must be increased

1/8 of an inch for every foot of additional viewing distance above 15 feet.
1/8 of an inch for every foot of additional viewing distance above 15 feet.

Characters more than 10 feet above the floor or ground must be at least 3 inches high
Characters more than 10 feet above the floor or ground must be at least 3 inches high

if the viewing distance is under 21 feet.
if the viewing distance is under 21 feet.

Where the viewing distance is greater, the minimum character height is increased
Where the viewing distance is greater, the minimum character height is increased

1/8 of an inch for every foot of viewing distance above 21 feet.
1/8 of an inch for every foot of viewing distance above 21 feet.

Content on some signs may be subject to different requirements in the standards.
Content on some signs may be subject to different requirements in the standards.

This sign, for example, notes the name and title of an office occupant, "Jill Smith, Director".
This sign, for example, notes the name and title of an office occupant, "Jill Smith, Director".

This portion of the sign is not required to meet any specifications since
This portion of the sign is not required to meet any specifications since

occupant names are exempt.
occupant names are exempt.

Below the name and title is the term "Accounting Department" which, in this example,
Below the name and title is the term "Accounting Department" which, in this example,

is considered informational and subject to requirements for visual characters.
is considered informational and subject to requirements for visual characters.

Beneath this is noted the room number "403" which serves as the label of a permanent room
Beneath this is noted the room number "403" which serves as the label of a permanent room

or space and must meet requirements for visual and raised characters, including braille.
or space and must meet requirements for visual and raised characters, including braille.

The other content of the sign can be tactile as well, but this is not required.
The other content of the sign can be tactile as well, but this is not required.

The requirements for visual characters and for tactile characters
The requirements for visual characters and for tactile characters

can be satisfied on separate signs.
can be satisfied on separate signs.

In fact, duplicate signs are necessary to label certain exits.
In fact, duplicate signs are necessary to label certain exits.

Life safety and building codes address the visibility and illumination of exit signs.
Life safety and building codes address the visibility and illumination of exit signs.

These requirements typically must be met separately from the tactile signs required by
These requirements typically must be met separately from the tactile signs required by

the ADA and ABA Standards at exit doors serving exit stairways,
the ADA and ABA Standards at exit doors serving exit stairways,

exit passageways, and exit discharge.
exit passageways, and exit discharge.

Where raised and visual characters are provided on separate signs,
Where raised and visual characters are provided on separate signs,

the tactile sign does not need to meet requirements for finish and contrast.
the tactile sign does not need to meet requirements for finish and contrast.

Also, raised characters can be one half inch high instead of 5/8 of an inch.
Also, raised characters can be one half inch high instead of 5/8 of an inch.

Further guidance on signs and other requirements in the ADA and ABA Standards is available
Further guidance on signs and other requirements in the ADA and ABA Standards is available

from the U.S. Access Board.
from the U.S. Access Board.

This animation was developed by the U.S. Access Board in cooperation with the Federal agencies
This animation was developed by the U.S. Access Board in cooperation with the Federal agencies

that issue the ADA and ABA Standards.
that issue the ADA and ABA Standards.