ADA 101: 5 Must-Have Features of Compliant Signage

Making your facility accessible isn’t just good practice—it’s the law.
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) sets clear rules for interior signage so that everyone, regardless of ability, can navigate your space.

In this first lesson, we’ll cover the five fundamental elements every ADA-compliant sign must have—and explain exactly how Erie Custom Signs brings each to life.

1. Tactile Characters: Let People “Read” by Touch

Tactile (raised) letters help individuals with low or no vision explore signage through touch. To meet ADA requirements:

Height: ⅝″ minimum to 2″ maximum (measured baseline to top)
Stroke Width: 10 – 30% of the letter height
Depth: Letters must project 1∕32″ to 1∕16″ from the sign face

At Erie Custom Signs, we precision place characters on acrylic, metal, or wood—ensuring every letter meets ADA specs or your specs as needed.

2. Grade 2 Braille: Compact, Readable Dots

The ADA mandates Grade 2 Braille, which uses contractions to save space and improve reading flow.

Dot Specs: At least 0.8 mm tall and 2.3 mm between cells
Placement: Positioned directly below tactile text with a ⅜″ clear zone above

Every translation is proofed in-house before engraving—so you can trust it’s accurate and ADA-ready.

3. Contrast: Make Text Pop

High visual contrast is essential for readability, especially from a distance.

Required Ratio: Minimum 70:30 contrast between text and background
Finish: Use matte or low-glare materials to reduce reflection

Use our Contrast Preview Tool to ensure your color selections pass compliance—no surprises when your signs arrive.

4. Font Selection: Keep It Simple

Choosing the right font isn’t just a design choice—it’s a compliance requirement under the ADA. Fonts must be legible for individuals with visual impairments, and that means avoiding decorative or overly stylized typefaces.

Here’s what the ADA requires (and why it matters):

Font Style: Only sans-serif fonts are allowed. These are fonts without extra strokes or flourishes at the ends of letters (like Arial, Helvetica, or Verdana). Serif or script fonts—like Times New Roman, Copperplate, or Brush Script—are not compliant, even if they look "classy" or "modern."
Character Proportions: Letters must be not too wide or too narrow. ADA guidelines say the stroke width (how thick a line is) should be between 10% and 30% of the letter height to ensure each character is distinguishable.
Spacing: There must be sufficient space between letters (kerning). Crowded or condensed fonts make it difficult for people with low vision or reading impairments to interpret text accurately.
Letter Case: For tactile text, only uppercase letters are allowed—and they must follow very specific proportion and spacing rules. Visual (non-tactile) text can use upper- and lowercase but must still follow legibility standards.

Why This Matters
Fonts that are decorative, overly thin, too bold, or tightly spaced can make it hard—or impossible—for some users to read signage. Even small changes in font selection can mean the difference between full ADA compliance and a failed audit.

Need Help Choosing a Compliant Font?
Don’t worry—this is one of the most common areas where customers get tripped up, and we’re here to help.

Already have a font in mind? Send it to us. We’ll evaluate whether it meets ADA standards for signage.
Need suggestions? We’ll provide compliant font options and show you how they’ll look on your sign with digital proofs.
Want it matched to your brand? We’ll find the closest ADA-compliant alternative if your brand font doesn’t qualify.

We work with these requirements every day, and we’re happy to help you get it right—both legally and visually.

5. Mounting: Right Height, Right Place

Even the most precisely made signs won’t be ADA compliant if they’re installed incorrectly. That’s why it’s essential to understand where and how ADA signage must be mounted.

Here’s what the ADA requires:

Height: The tactile characters on a sign must be centered between 48″ and 60″ above the finished floor. This ensures readability for individuals in wheelchairs and those standing.
Example: If your raised text is 1″ tall, the baseline should be around 54.5″ from the floor so the center falls within the legal range.
Location: Wall-mounted signs identifying rooms or spaces (like restrooms or offices) must be placed on the latch side of the door, not directly on the door itself or behind it.
If there’s no clear latch side, mount the sign on the nearest adjacent wall where it can be reached and read safely.

Why This Matters
Improper mounting is one of the top reasons signs fail ADA inspections—and it’s often overlooked. If a compliant sign is installed too high, too low, or in the wrong place, it won’t meet legal standards, regardless of how well it’s made.

We Manufacture the Signs—You Handle the Mounting
At Erie Custom Signs, we specialize in designing and producing fully ADA-compliant signage. While we don’t provide installation services, we’re here to support your team or your installer with:

Mounting Guides: We include mounting recommendations with every order
Expert Support: Reach out with install questions—we’ll clarify what’s required
Pre-Drilling & Templates: Available upon request to make placement easier and more accurate

With the right guidance and tools, mounting ADA signs doesn’t have to be complicated.

Putting It All Together

When your signage includes tactile characters, Grade 2 Braille, high visual contrast, compliant fonts, and proper mounting, you’re not just meeting the ADA’s legal requirements—you’re creating a more navigable, inclusive space for every visitor.

But we get it: ADA compliance can feel overwhelming. That’s why we’ve built our process to make it easy for you.

Here’s How to Move Forward with Confidence:

1. Audit Your Current Signage
Start by evaluating the signs in your facility. Are they missing Braille? Is the contrast strong enough? Are they placed at the right height?

Use our free ADA Checklist 2025 to pinpoint gaps and avoid common compliance pitfalls.

2. Choose a Style That Fits Your Space
Whether you want a quick solution or a fully branded look, we’ve got you covered.

Pick from our pre-designed ADA sign series or work with our team to create a custom layout that blends compliance with your brand identity.

3. Place Your Order—We’ll Handle the Rest
From file prep to fabrication, everything happens in-house. You’ll receive:

Accurate proofs for review
Fully compliant, professionally crafted signs
Optional pre-drilled holes or adhesive backing for easy mounting

We don’t install signs—but we’ll give you everything you need to make mounting clear and compliant.

Need Help Along the Way?

Our team has helped thousands of businesses, schools, and medical facilities get ADA signs right the first time. We’ll answer your questions, flag potential issues, and guide you through the process—step by step.

Next Week: We’re diving into the nitty-gritty of tactile lettering and Braille production—how we make it, why precision matters, and how to avoid delays in your signage rollout.

Let’s make accessibility effortless—together.

ADA 101: 5 Must-Have Features of Compliant Signage