ADA Signs Baltimore, MD

Name: Baltimore Signsmiths
Address: 11436 Cronridge Drive, Suite F, Owings Mills, MD, US
Telephone: 443-205-1205

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Accessibility is one way of creating a comfortable space for all your customers. This can lead to a positive customer experience that benefits your Baltimore business. Not only that, making sure your business is accessible lets you comply with ADA standards.

For this reason, every business should invest in ADA signage in Baltimore.

What is an ADA Sign?

ADA signs are indoor and outdoor signs that are necessary for every Baltimore business. According to the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), businesses are required to include ADA-compliant signs within their establishment.

There are specific design elements that need to be included to adhere to ADA guidelines. This is where an experienced sign maker like Baltimore Signsmiths can help.

Our team is well-versed with ADA standards and can help you with all compliance details. We design signs with braille, raised letters, and more.

Types of ADA Signs

Wayfinding & Identification ADA Signs

These signs keep the traffic flow in and around your space more organized. These help all customers find their way around easily through easy-to-understand language and graphics.

These also include identification signs for permanent rooms or spaces.

ADA Braille Signs

Signs for public spaces and permanent areas are required to include braille characters. This allows visually impaired customers to freely and safely find their way around. According to ADA guidelines, signs need to use grade II braille.

ADA Bathroom Signs

These are helpful identification signs for your store or office bathrooms. Based on ADA rules, these signs should include:

Grade II braille signs
Raised tactile characters
Universal pictograms with written descriptions (also in braille)

Uses of ADA Signs

Whichever industry you are in, being compliant with ADA rules is a must. This lets you follow the law while creating an accessible space for all your customers in Baltimore.

Since it is the law, there are regular inspections conducted to ensure businesses remain compliant. Not having accessible signage can result in penalties and liabilities on your part.

Custom ADA signs are used to make it easier for customers and visitors to navigate your space. Not only that, but they also provide a unique opportunity to increase your customer base. When people with disabilities feel comfortable in your space, they are more likely to spread the word about your business.

ADA custom braille signs are used for:

Reception and lobby spaces
Elevators and stairwells
Office door signs for conference rooms, boardrooms, and more
Hotel/apartment doors
Food courts and other public common areas

The Right ADA Signs Near You

Our team at Baltimore Signsmiths understands the importance of complying with ADA guidelines. As such, we work with care and efficiency to ensure all your signs meet the standards of ADA signs.

Our Baltimore sign experts always aim to create signs that are both compliant and reflect your brand. Have questions about the different designs and cost of ADA signs? Contact 443-205-1205 and receive a free consultation with our specialists.

FAQ

What makes a sign ADA compliant?

The Americans with Disabilities Act (and its bylaws) lays down several requirements that signs must comply with. Some of these are:

Size – Must be readable from an average viewing distance.
Characters – Characters on the signs should measure between 5/8” and 2” in height.
Contrast – There must be at least 70% contrast between the font and background.
Braille – Signs must have debossed (raised) braille characters.

What is the ADA symbol?

There isn’t a single ‘ADA symbol’, instead, there are universally accepted symbols. By far the most recognizable of these is the blue and white wheelchair symbol. This symbol is used to show there is a wheelchair-accessible route or facility nearby. That’s why you’ll find them commonly at building entrances, near parking exits, in restrooms, and more.

What are ADA features?

The ADA prescribes a long list of features that a compliant sign must have. Some of the more noticeable ADA features are:

High-contrast colors
Non-glare, non-gloss finish
Raised lettering and braille
Installation 4 feet above the ground

To find out what other requirements the sign must meet, speak to an experienced signage professional today.

What does ADA stand for in design?

ADA stands for the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. The Act, and its regulations, have made spaces more accessible for all Americans by standardizing accessibility signage across the country. That means wherever you are, you’ll see the same style of signs.

ADA regulations have evolved a lot since 1990, so make sure you work with a knowledgeable team for your signs.

What is ADA compliance?

ADA compliance means you are meeting the obligations under the ADA. Most businesses that receive visitors regularly must meet ADA requirements. ADA compliance is a whole lot more than ADA signs: you must also ensure wheelchair access to your premises and take reasonable steps to make your space ADA-compliant.

What is braille signage?

Braille signs are ones that include braille lettering to promote accessibility to those with visual impairments. Braille lettering must be raised off the board so a person can read it easily by touch. Signs, too, must be installed at the appropriate height and be free of obstructions so that someone can access them easily.

Can ADA signs be vertical?

Most ADA signs are vertical. The ADA does not prescribe any particular orientation of signs, meaning you can install signs vertically or horizontally. Note that the sign must comply with character size, spacing, and padding requirements.

Did you know ADA signs don’t all have to look the same? Talk to us to find out how we help businesses like yours customize ADA signs.

Why is braille signage important?

Braille signage is vital for people with visual impairments. And given that 14 million Americans identify themselves as having a visual impairment, having braille is vitally important. Braille lettering allows people with even the most severe visual impairments to read the sign.

What are the different types of braille?

The two most common types of braille are ‘uncontracted’ and ‘contracted’.

Uncontracted braille – Also called Grade 1, or Alphabetic braille, it uses the 26 letters of the English alphabet. It is used by those who are learning braille and typically takes more room to depict the message.
Contracted braille – Also called Grade 2, or Literary braille, this is the more common type. It uses “shortcuts”, making messages much shorter to depict.

Does braille need to be raised?

Yes, braille lettering must be raised above the surface. Braille dots must be at least 0.09 inches in height, and you have the freedom to make them deeper. Plastic and metal are the most popular materials for signs with braille: braille lettering can be molded easily in plastic signs, and metal signs can be stamped easily too.