Room Identification Signs
Signs that identify permanent rooms and spaces — restrooms, offices, conference rooms, stairwells, exits — must include both raised (tactile) characters and Braille. These signs allow people who are blind or have low vision to read the sign by touch.
Placement rules:
- Mount on the wall beside the door, on the latch side (the side with the door handle)
- The baseline of the lowest character must be at least 48 inches above the floor
- The baseline of the highest character must be no more than 60 inches above the floor
- The sign must be placed so a person reading it by touch is not in the path of the opening door
Official Standard
2010 ADA Standards §216.2
"Interior and exterior signs identifying permanent rooms and spaces shall comply with 703.1, 703.2, and 703.5." This includes raised characters and Braille.
§703.4.1 — Height Above Finish Floor
"Tactile characters on signs shall be located 48 inches (1220 mm) minimum above the finish floor or ground surface, measured from the baseline of the lowest tactile character and 60 inches (1525 mm) maximum above the finish floor or ground surface, measured from the baseline of the highest tactile character."
§703.4.2 — Location
"Where a tactile sign is provided at a door, the sign shall be located alongside the door at the latch side."
Raised Characters and Braille
For tactile signs (those meant to be read by touch), the characters must meet specific requirements:
- All uppercase letters
- Raised at least 1/32 inch above the background
- Character height between 5/8 inch and 2 inches
- Sans serif or simple serif font — no decorative or script fonts
- Grade 2 (contracted) Braille must be placed directly below the corresponding raised text
The Braille dots must have a rounded or domed shape, not flat-topped — flat-topped dots are harder to read by touch and do not comply.
Official Standard
2010 ADA Standards §703.2 — Raised Characters
§703.2.3 — "Characters shall be uppercase."
§703.2.5 — "Characters shall be raised 1/32 inch (0.8 mm) minimum above their background."
§703.2.6 — "Character height measured vertically from the baseline of the character shall be 5/8 inch (16 mm) minimum and 2 inches (51 mm) maximum based on the height of the uppercase letter 'I'."
§703.3 — Braille
"Braille shall be contracted (Grade 2) and shall comply with §703.3." Braille dots shall have a domed or rounded shape and shall be 1/25 inch (1.0 mm) to 1/16 inch (1.6 mm) in base diameter, 0.025 inches (0.6 mm) to 0.037 inches (0.9 mm) high.
Directional and Informational Signs
Signs that give directions (like "Exit →" or "Elevator ↑") or information (like building directories or floor-level signs) have different rules than room identification signs. They do not need raised characters or Braille, but they must be visually clear:
- High contrast: Light characters on a dark background, or dark characters on a light background
- Text size: Based on viewing distance — the farther away a person will read the sign, the larger the characters must be
- Non-glare finish: The sign surface must not create glare that makes it hard to read
- Font: Sans serif or simple serif, conventional in form — no italic, oblique, script, or highly decorative fonts
Official Standard
2010 ADA Standards §216.3
"Signs that provide direction to or information about interior spaces and facilities of the site shall comply with 703.5."
§703.5 — Visual Characters
"Characters shall contrast with their background with either light characters on a dark background or dark characters on a light background." Character height shall comply with Table 703.5.5 based on viewing distance. Minimum height for signs viewed at 72 inches or less: 5/8 inch minimum.
International Symbol of Accessibility (ISA)
The ISA — the blue wheelchair symbol — must be displayed at:
- Accessible parking spaces
- Accessible entrances (when not all entrances are accessible)
- Accessible restrooms
- Accessible checkout lanes and service areas
- Areas of refuge (emergency safe areas)
The symbol must follow the standard design — a white stylized figure on a blue background. Some jurisdictions accept the updated "dynamic" ISA symbol with the figure leaning forward, but the traditional symbol always complies.
Official Standard
2010 ADA Standards §703.7.2.1
"The International Symbol of Accessibility shall comply with Figure 703.7.2.1." The symbol consists of a white figure on a blue background. It must be used to identify accessible elements and facilities including entrances, parking spaces, toilet rooms, and bathing rooms.
Exit Signs
Exit signs have requirements under both the ADA and the fire/life safety code. Under the ADA:
- Doors at accessible means of egress must have signs with the ISA and visual characters
- Where not all exits are accessible, accessible exits must be identified and directional signage must be provided at inaccessible exits
- Areas of refuge — safe areas where people who cannot use stairs can wait during an emergency — must have illuminated signs with the ISA symbol
Parking Signage
Accessible parking signs have their own specific requirements (covered in detail in our Accessible Parking guide):
- Must display the ISA symbol
- Mounted 60 inches minimum above the ground (measured to the bottom of the sign)
- Van-accessible spaces: must include the words "Van Accessible"
- Ground-painted symbols alone are not sufficient— an upright sign is always required
Finish and Contrast Requirements
For all ADA signs to be readable, the finish and contrast must meet these standards:
- Non-glare finish: Characters and their background must have a non-glare or eggshell finish. Glossy surfaces create reflections that make signs harder to read, especially for people with low vision.
- High contrast: There must be a strong visual contrast between the characters and the background. The ADA does not specify an exact contrast ratio for signs (unlike WCAG for digital), but light-on-dark or dark-on-light is required.
- Font style: Characters must be sans serif or simple serif, not italic, not oblique, not decorative, and not script.
- Stroke width: Characters must not be too thin or too heavy — standard weight provides the best readability.
Important Note
This guide covers the most common signage requirements from the 2010 ADA Standards. Your state or local building code may impose additional signage requirements. For advice about your specific facility, connect with an experienced ADA attorney.
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