For business owners in Frederick, Maryland, compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is not just a legal obligation—it’s a commitment to accessibility and inclusion. While many focus on ramps and parking spaces, interior signage is a critical component that is often overlooked. If your building has permanent rooms, restrooms, or exits, you likely have ADA signage requirements. Failing to meet these standards can result in fines, lawsuits, and a poor experience for visitors with visual impairments. Here is the essential checklist for ensuring your indoor signs are compliant and effective.
1. Identify Which Signs Require Compliance
Not every sign in your establishment needs to be tactile. The ADA requires compliant signage for signs that designate permanent rooms and spaces. This includes restrooms, room numbers, floor levels, and exit doors . Signs that are purely informational or temporary (like a “Sale” poster or a directional sign not at a room entrance) generally do not require tactile characters, though they must still meet visual contrast standards .
2. Include Both Raised Characters and Braille
Tactile signs must contain both raised characters and Braille . The raised characters must be uppercase, sans-serif, and sized between 5/8 inch and 2 inches. The Braille must be Grade 2 (contracted) and positioned directly below the corresponding text . Ensure the Braille is domed, not flat, so it can be read by touch.
3. Mount at the Correct Height and Location
This is one of the most common compliance failures. Tactile signs must be mounted on the wall adjacent to the latch side of the door (the side with the handle), not on the door itself . The mounting height must be 48 inches minimum from the floor to the baseline of the lowest tactile character, and 60 inches maximum to the baseline of the highest character . Ensure there is at least 18 inches of clear floor space centered on the sign so a person can approach it without obstruction .
4. Ensure High Visual Contrast
Even if a sign has tactile elements, it must also be visually readable. The characters and background must have a high contrast—typically 70 percent or more—using light-on-dark or dark-on-light combinations. A matte or non-glare finish is recommended to prevent reflections that can make the sign unreadable .
5. Don’t Forget Exit Signs and Elevators
Exit doors must be labeled as exits, and these labels must meet visual requirements (though not necessarily tactile ones at every location) . If you have elevators, the floor numbers and controls must have raised and Braille characters. The signage identifying the floor must be mounted on both door jambs at each floor, at a height of 60 inches .
6. Update Your Frederick Business Today
ADA standards remain the federal baseline, and local inspectors in Frederick County take compliance seriously. The best way to protect your business and welcome all guests is to conduct a signage audit. If your current signs are too high, lack Braille, or are mounted on the wrong side of the door, it’s time for an update.
Get Compliant with Expert Help
Navigating the specific measurements and material requirements of ADA signage can be complex. A professional Frederick sign company can audit your space, fabricate compliant signs with the correct Braille and tactile lettering, and install them at the precise height and location required by law. Don’t risk a fine or an inaccessible environment. Contact a trusted sign company today to ensure your establishment is fully accessible and compliant.