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Select the right materials and finish, get updated on ADA regulations and ensure the design considers the needs of the visually impaired.
As sign professionals, we all know typical end-users don’t quite understand their signage needs. They might ask, why do I need a sign? What kind of sign do I need? Where will it be installed? How long will it take? As sign professionals, our answers will vary, depending on our business platforms, but we all know good signage can determine a business’s success or failure. This article intends to help you consider integrating ADA signs into your platform.
Unlike most signs, ADA signs are first determined by their rules and regulations. They only exist due to federal mandate. But also, each state may establish its own regulations, if they’re at least as restrictive as those set by federal laws. To learn more, review the “ADA Standards for Accessible Design” published by the Department of Justice. You’ll find relevant information on page 53 under section 4.30 (www.ada.gov/adastd94.pdf).
Next, you should log on to www.access-board.gov, a website that lists current accessibility standards, along with ADA accessibility guidelines adopted by more than 25 states. Finally, Reuven Rahamim (Accent Signage Systems Inc., Minneapolis) has created a shortcut for those of you think “Forget it; too much information to read through.” His shortcut, the “How to Create Great-Looking Interior Signage Using the Raster™ Method of Fabrication” manual, is updated annually, so it can help you stay current with government regulations. Go to www.accentsignage.com for more information.