Since I started making ADA signs recently, well, technically, I can't call what I'm making ADA compliant, I've spent some time researching and much more time with my eyes wide open looking around.
If I am reading the ADA standards for signage correctly, all ADA compliant signs must have a pictogram that is at last 6" tall, with letters no less than 5/8" directly under that, with the braille under that, in Grade II braille.
Well that's all and good until my customer brings me a sign frame that's 7" tall by 9" wide and they want it ADA compliant.
With a 7" tall sign, there's not enough room for a 6" pictogram, and then text and braille, all with spacing in it. I end up shrinking it down to look proportional, while keeping the text height 5/8" or more and including the braille.
So I get another job to create a sign insert for an existing sign frame. It's 4" tall, 6 wide. Huh? And the frames were designed my a well known professional sign making company. How am I supposed to make that ADA compliant?
Now, everywhere I go, I look at signs, particularly restroom signs. Haven't seen a single one yet that meets what I read the ADA standards to be. I'm talking major chain stores and restaurants, not just one off shops. Even the restroom signs they sell at Lowes, already made do not meet the requirements.
Am I misreading the code or does the entire world just not care what the code says?
Anyone else noticed this or know more than I obviously do? I asked a contractor about it and he told me that ADA is not a requirement, it's a suggestion, and unless people complain about it, you are free to do as you wish, since it's not the law.