Businesses require signs for a number of different reasons. In most cases, signs are used for marketing purposes. In other cases, signs may be required by the law. This is the case with ADA signs. Not only do these signs offer convenience for visitors and customers, but they also help to ensure safety. Below are some tips to help business owners ensure they are compliant with guidelines relating to ADA signs.
The primary reason for ADA signs is to ensure that the millions of people across the country who struggle with a visual disability are able to more easily understand signs. For such individuals with a visual impairment, even common activities, such as locating restrooms and offices can be difficult.
Not only do ADA signs make life easier for those who have a visual impairment, but they also help to make everyone feel welcome when they enter a building. Rather than needing to ask for help, visitors with vision impairments are able to make their way around on their own. ADA signs can be used to make visitors aware of exits while also helping to guide them to offices, specific rooms, and restrooms.
ADA signs also demonstrate to visitors with visual impairments that they are valued and that it is important to the business that they feel comfortable during their visit. When a customer feels as though they are valued and welcome, they will be that much more likely to return to the business in the future.
Beyond simply helping visitors to feel more welcome, ADA signs are also required by law. If a business fails to comply with the standards for such signs as they are required by the Department of Labor, that business could face significant fines as well as possibly other types of penalties.
ADA signs are typically required for any permanent space in a building or any area that does not change in terms of function. This would include stairwells, restrooms, elevators, etc. Of course, it’s not uncommon for certain rooms in a building to change in terms of function. When that happens, those rooms may be marked with a number rather than a purpose or a name. In order to err on the side of caution, it’s always a good idea to go ahead and install ADA signs rather than run the risk of not having the correct signage and potentially incur a fine.
Along with being posted, there are also requirements regarding the design and mounting of ADA signs. A professional sign design company can assist with helping business owners to understand those requirements.