Which signs have to be tactile under the ADA?

The 2010 ADA Standards don't treat every sign the same way. Section 216 sorts signs by what they do, and that decides whether a sign needs raised characters and braille, only visual characters that are easy to read, or nothing at all. Getting the category right is the first step, because it decides every number that follows.

Signs that name a room or space: tactile and visual

A sign that designates a permanent room or space, such as an office number, a conference room, a restroom or a stairwell, must have tactile characters and braille as well as meeting the visual rules (§216.2). The test is permanence. A room called STORAGE today will be storage next year, so its sign has to be readable by touch. An exterior sign that isn't at the door of the space it names only needs to meet the visual rules.

Restrooms, exit stairs and areas of refuge are all permanent spaces, so their signs are tactile. The doors to exit stairways, exit passageways and the exit discharge need a tactile exit sign as well as the illuminated one (§216.4.1). Our room, restroom and tactile exit builders all lay out to these rules.

Directional and informational signs: visual only

Signs that point the way or give information, such as RESTROOMS with an arrow, a building directory or ASSISTIVE LISTENING AVAILABLE, only have to meet the visual character rules (§216.3, §703.5). That means a non-glare finish, contrast between the characters and the background, conventional letterforms, and characters big enough for the distance the sign is read from. These rules apply only where such signs are provided. Most of them aren't required in the first place, but any you do put up must follow the visual rules. The directional sign builder makes this kind.

Signs that are exempt

Some signs are outside the rules entirely. The Access Board's guide lists them:

• Temporary signs, used for seven days or less.
• Building addresses, building names and building directories.
• Occupant names, company names and logos.
• Menus, and seat or row designations in assembly areas.
• Signs in non-public areas of detention and correctional facilities.

Suite numbers, room numbers and dwelling unit numbers are not exempt, even though a company name on the same sign is.

One sign, several kinds of content

A single sign can carry more than one kind of content, and each part is judged on its own. On an office sign, the room number is a permanent designation and must be tactile, the hours of operation are information and only need to be visual, and the occupant's name is exempt. The guide also notes that the Standards don't require room signs at all. But if you provide one, it must comply.

Only the English content of a sign has to comply. A sign written only in another language should comply as far as it can. Extra signs beyond a compliant set don't have to comply, but clear, consistent signs help everyone find their way.

Browse ready-made signs by category in the sign directory, or read on about tactile characters and braille.