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ADA Wayfinding Signage and Materials

At Bell Company Inc., we specialize in high-end, unique, custom ADA signs and Braille signage. We provide several product options to match the specific design and quality needs of any interior or exterior environment. From new construction to existing renovations, we can guide you through the process—while providing ADA expertise and high-quality signage that meets your client’s budget and is ADA-compliant. For more information about each of our materials, please click on the appropriate box below.

PhotoPolymer

Thermo-Compression, Durabell®

Direct Color

Applique & Raster

Stock Injection Molded

Vista & JRS Frame Systems

ADA stands for Americans with Disabilities Act which became law in 1990 in the United States. The ADA is a civil rights statute that forbids discrimination against people with disabilities in all aspects of public life, including education, jobs, transportation, and all public and private spaces accessible to the general public. The law’s goal is to ensure that people with disabilities have equal access to the same rights and resources as anyone else. Under the Americans with Disabilities Act, individuals with disabilities are afforded equal rights and protections comparable to those afforded to people on the basis of race, gender, sex, national origin, and religion. It ensures that people with disabilities have fair access to public accommodations, jobs, transportation, state and local government facilities, and telecommunications. ADA Title III For Public Accommodations and Commercial Facilities According to ADA Title III, public accommodations must comply with basic nondiscrimination requirements that prohibit exclusion, segregation, and unequal treatment. They must also comply with specific requirements related to architectural standards for new and altered buildings; reasonable modifications to policies, practices, and procedures; effective communication with people with hearing, vision, or speech disabilities; and other access requirements. As a result of ADA requirements, all public buildings must have wayfinding signs in place to help visitors navigate the premises safely. This is where ADA compliant signs come into play.
Accordion Sample DescriptionADA signs are tactile signs used to mark different rooms, spaces, or facilities in a building. Tactile refers to sense of touch, so these signs will have raised letters which are traceable for the sign impaired and Grade II Braille for the blind. These elements help people with vision disabilities find their way through a building. Aside from tactile Braille signage, the ADA specifies and includes a variety of other signs, such as handicap parking signs, elevator signs, and signs directing to accessible features. Finally, the ADA specifies how high a sign should be mounted on a wall and where on the floor or ceiling of a room they should be installed. All signs must follow these positioning rules.
In short, all public accommodations in the United States need ADA compliant signs. Any permanent room or area in all public buildings must be labeled with an identifying tactile symbol, according to ADA sign specifications. Under Title III, the ADA lists 12 building categories that are considered public accommodations: Hotels, Motels, Resorts or any place of lodging. Casinos, Event Venues, Convention Centers, Restaurants & Bars. Schools, Universities, Libraries and Museums. Hospitals, Assisted Living and Nursing Homes Facilities. Commercial Buildings, Office Spaces and more.

ADA Compliant Signage Requirements

By following these guidelines when designing your signs, we can produce great-looking signage that is completely ADA-compliant, and will be efficient in helping those with impairments to successfully navigate your space. Here are a few basic rules for ADA – compliant signage:

ADA requirements specify a size range for text height of 5/8 to 2″ with a minimum of 3/8 inch clearance on all sides of the Braille translation.

On an ADA sign, the signs are to be mounted to ensure that tactile characters will be between 48 and 60 inches off the floor. The distance is measured from the bottom of the last line of characters on the sign. We can provide you with a guide to assist you with the installation of your new ADA signs.

All messages on ADA signs must include a Grade II Braille translation, placed 3/8” minimum below the last line of text.

Grade II Braille is a short-hand version that contains contractions as well as single characters to represent an entire word. Bell Company, Inc. utilizes Duxbury Braille Translation Software to ensure the accuracy of our Braille.

ADA-compliant signs must use simple, sans-serif fonts.

Here are a few of the fonts you can choose from for your signage:

The ADA prohibits the use of italics, scripts, or other hard-to-read styles.

In accordance with ADA guidelines, all our wayfinding signage has a matte, non-glare finish and a high-contrast ratio between background and raised text because ADA signs should be easy-to-read.  

Have a look at some of the signs we’ve produced for our clients down below.

ADA Signage From Bell Company, Inc.

You can rely on our manufacturing knowledge for easy wayfinding ADA signs in your clients’ facilities. We have more than 75 years of experience, and we are recognized as a leader in ADA signage manufacturing.

For letter height, font choice, Grade II Braille placement, color contrast, spacing, and more—we will assist you in making sure your signs are ADA-compliant and provide a guide for proper placement when installing these signs.

We are also a distributor of, and offer, a full line of JRS and Vista Frame Sign Systems to complement our ADA and wayfinding signage. We offer stand-offs, projection mount signs, and ceiling mount brackets to cover all your signage display needs, and to help you and your clients meet all ADA requirements.

Get in Touch With Us!

Connect with our team of experts to discuss your client’s best options and request a quote for your ADA-compliant and custom wayfinding signs!

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