It's very important to fully understand the essential nature of signage that complies with the Americans With Disabilities Act requirements. If you're not sure what's needed, you risk running into some serious noncompliance issues that can cost you. For instance, did you know that, according to the United States Department of Justice, you should have raised characters that are 1/32 inches minimum above their background on ADA signage? Here's a small guide to make it easier for you to understand some of other the essential sign features you'll need.

High Levels of Contrast

A high level of contrast for ADA signage improves readability. Low contrast signage has characters that blend into the background, making it difficult for anyone to read the text. On the other hand, if there's a high level of contrast between the characters and the background, those with visual impairments will have an easier time making out what's on the sign. According to the ADA Compliance Directory, a contrast level of 70% is generally advisable. The main goal is to make sure that the background and the characters are different enough for the characters to stand out.

Non-Glare Finish

Just like low contrast, high glare finishes make it difficult for people with impaired vision to make out what's written on the signage. As a result, reflective surfaces and those with high glare are not recommended for ADA signage. A non-glare finish ensures that everyone visiting public buildings can make out the details on the important signage with ease. Therefore, whenever you're creating ADA signage, you must ensure that the background and characters do not create any glare. This can be easy to achieve when you use a matte, eggshell, or another type of non-glare finish.

Appropriate Font and Character Properties

As mentioned before, the general idea with ADA signage is to ensure that it can be understood by everyone, including individuals with visual impairments. That way, no one will be forced to squint or move around to try to see what a display says. Using a font that's easy to read prevents frustration. The most common ADA-compliant fonts tend to be sans serif. Choose one as plain as possible -- good examples include Verdana, Helvetica, and Futura.

These are some of the most important features of ADA signage. You must take your time and ensure that your sign is considerate to those who are meant to read it. Do you need help with creating your own ADA signage? Get in touch with our team at Jump Signs today. We would love to hear from you.