SignWorks has several projects in house that require compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. As such, we thought we would provide our readers with some insights gleaned over the years because we provide lots of ADA signs to our commercial property managers, local contractors and business owners here in the Bay Area.
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Tactile & Braille Signage Code is a civil rights law that prohibits discrimination based on disability under certain circumstances. If a building lacks accessibility or access to certain services it can be considered discriminatory, regardless of who this actually affects. ADA compliant signage aid in making sure that those with disabilities have full and equal enjoyment of the goods, services, facilities, and accommodations. In the beginning, and when the laws were first implemented, ADA signs were not thought to be esthetically pleasing. That has changed and evolved to the point where ADA compliant signs are produced in several different ways, none of which hamper design flair or creativity.
A recent project where SignWorks partnered with AMP Printing involved ADA and fire safety signs. The project was a testament to the fact that ADA signs need not be boring or esthetically unpleasing as evidenced by the included photograph! Our in-house projects for the Rossi Building in Oakland includes evacuation maps and stairwell signs that are edgy and monochromatic, while still compliant with local guidelines. We’ll be posting pictures of that project once it is complete and ready to install.
If you look around you’ll notice that ADA signs are everywhere. They include restrooms, stairwells, room numbers and accessible parking signs like the ones we’re working on for Cahill Contractors Coliseum Transit Village project. It means that companies like SignWorks who know how to satisfy these regulations are a first choice for building and construction companies who need ADA compliant signs. Several factors come into play as far as ADA guidelines. While the guidelines will define font size, contrast and other criteria, they do not define specific design criteria related to aesthetics.
SignWorks works with only a few trusted suppliers on ADA (Braille and Tactile) signs. We continue to work with Gemini for exterior metal ADA complisnt signs, and others who supply molded ADA signs where the Braille and Tactile lettering is an integral to the sign and produced as part of a molding process. Other suppliers use a process where the Braille is chemically welded and embedded into the substrate, while another supplies us with photopolymer ADA signs. We want to be your go to source for source for ADA compliant signs and welcome your calls to (510) 357-2000. We’ll work with you on material selection as well as design, fabrication and installation when needed. To learn more about SignWorks just visit our website, read our blog posts and view photographs of our completed projects.