Chapter 7 covers elements that help people receive and exchange information — signs, fire alarms, telephones, detectable warnings, assistive listening systems, ATMs and fare machines, and two-way communication systems. The barrier here isn't always physical. It's the difference between hearing a fire alarm and not, between reading a sign and not, between knowing your bus is coming and not. These requirements exist so that information actually reaches everyone it's meant for.
Reading level📄 Plain language + legal text
CurrentlyStandard
Signage requirements are divided into two categories:
Tactile signs (room ID signs): Raised characters ≥ 1/32 inch high, Grade 2 Braille below the text, mounted on the latch side of the door at 48–60 inches above the floor. Characters must be sans serif, uppercase, and have high contrast.
Visual signs (directional, informational): Characters sized based on viewing distance — minimum ⅝ inch high for distances under 6 feet, scaling up. Must have a non-glare finish and high contrast with background.
Example: Room number signs at restrooms need Braille and raised letters. A "Restrooms →" directional sign does not need Braille but must have large, high-contrast text.
Two Types of Signs
Units:
Key numbers — Signs
48″–60″Mounting height for tactile room signs (baseline to floor)
BrailleGrade 2 Braille required on all room identification signs
No BrailleDirectional/informational signs need large text, not Braille
Latch sideTactile signs go next to the door, on the latch (handle) side
Where fire alarm systems are provided, they must include visual notification appliances (flashing strobe lights) so people who are deaf or hard of hearing are alerted:
In public and common-use areas of buildings
In employee work areas
In hotel guest rooms designated for hearing accessibility
The strobes flash in a synchronized pattern to prevent triggering seizures and must be bright enough to be noticeable in daylight.
Where public telephones are provided, at least one on each floor must be accessible:
Clear floor space: 30 × 48 inches for forward or parallel approach
Height: Operable parts within reach range (48 inches max)
Volume control: Must amplify sound 12 dB minimum above normal, up to 20 dB max
TTY: At least one per bank must have a text telephone (TTY) for people who are deaf
Note: While pay phones are increasingly rare, these requirements also apply to courtesy phones and house phones in hotels.
Accessible Telephones
Key numbers — Telephones
≤ 48″Maximum height for all operable parts
+12 dBMinimum volume amplification above normal
TTYAt least one text telephone per bank of 4+ phones
Detectable warnings are the textured "bumps" (truncated domes) you feel underfoot at curb ramps and transit platforms. They alert people who are blind that they're approaching a vehicular or rail hazard.
Dome size: 0.9 inch base diameter, 0.2 inch high
Spacing: 1.6 to 2.4 inches center-to-center
Must contrast visually with the surrounding surface
Required at curb ramps, rail platform edges, and reflecting pool edges
Assembly areas with audio amplification must provide assistive listening systems (ALS):
Required in assembly areas where audio communication is integral (theaters, courtrooms, meeting rooms)
Types include hearing loops (induction), FM systems, and infrared systems
At least 25% of receivers must be hearing-aid compatible (T-coil/neckloop)
Signage with the International Symbol of Access for Hearing Loss must be posted
Assistive Listening Systems
Key numbers — Assistive Listening
25%Minimum receivers that must be hearing-aid compatible
3 typesHearing loop, FM, or infrared — facility chooses
SignInternational Symbol of Access for Hearing Loss must be posted
ATMs, ticket kiosks, and transit fare machines must be accessible to people with vision and mobility disabilities:
Speech output: Must provide speech for all functions — reads the screen aloud through a headphone jack
Braille instructions: Operating instructions in Braille
Input: Keypad with raised tactile dots on the "5" key (like a phone)
Reach: All controls within 48 inches above the floor
Privacy: Speech must have volume control and a mechanism (headphone jack) to prevent others from hearing PINs
ATMs & Fare Machines
Key numbers — ATMs & Fare Machines
≤ 48″All controls within reach range
SpeechMust read all screen content aloud via headphone jack
BrailleOperating instructions in Braille on the machine
TactileRaised dot on "5" key for orientation
Where a two-way communication system is provided for entry to a building (intercoms, call boxes), it must be accessible:
Audible and visual: Must provide both audio and visual signals so people who are deaf can use the system
Height: Call button within reach range at 48 inches max
Handset-free: Must be usable without picking up a handset
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If this chapter relates to something you ran into and you want to know whether it counts as an ADA violation, describe what happened and I'll tell you what I think.
