Federal Law
The ADA was created in 1990, and was revised in 2010. The new revisions included many new requirements concerning ADA signs. Signs are used frequently throughout the hospital and health care industry. Federal law was put into place involving where these signs should be located and what had to be on them. According to federal laws, any sign that is deemed “architectural” must comply with ADA guidelines. Any signs that must be comply with these guidelines are referred to as ADA signs.

An architectural sign is defined as a sign that identifies a permanent room in a facility. This includes exits or any sign that directs or informs about a permanent space of the facility. As well as permanent spaces, architectural signs include signs that direct or inform about accessible features of the building. Many of the requirements focus on having Braille on any architectural sign. It is required to have Braille available for the visually impaired on any sign that has been deemed architectural by the standards stated above. Generally speaking, signs that are well thought out and easy to read can benefit a wide range of impaired people. These signs can be beneficial to hearing impaired and even mentally impaired civilians. These federal laws are beneficial to people that are not impaired as well. Having clear and concise signage can benefit the entire population. There are a few general requirements for ADA signs. All of these signs must have easy to read typefaces. This enables people who are “functionally blind” to know what room they are entering. “Functionally blind” people would be able to locate the door, but wouldn’t be able to read a sign from a distance. ADA signs must be posted adjacent to the door they are labeling. This allows disabled people to find the sign (and Braille) quickly and easily. ADA signs are required to be 60 inches, or 5 feet, from the floor. These signs can have pictures on them, but are required to include grade 2 Braille lettering. There are four pictures that can be used in ADA signs to indicate accessibility. The first is the most common, a wheelchair holding a stick man. This sign indicated that walkways, rooms, or passageways are handicap accessible. Three other signs are used for persons with hearing impairments. A picture of a keyboard indicated a TTY or text telephone. These phones can be used by the hearing impaired. A picture of an ear is the International Symbol of Access for Hearing Loss. This pictogram is used to show that an assisted listening system is available. The third is a phone pictogram with sound waves coming out of the ear. These waves show that a volume controlled phone is available for the hearing impaired.

State Law
Some states have laws that correspond with ADA laws. Some of these laws have more specific requirements for ADA signs in specific areas. Many of these areas are hospitals and health care facilities. Any state that has implemented laws that contradict federal law are negated. State laws do not super cede federal law concerning requirements for ADA signs. The standards for ADA signs are actually set by the ANSI. The American National Standards Institute is a large committee that is made up of various representatives. These representatives are drawn from American industry, government, disability organizations, code officials, experts, and designers. These standards have authority over any conflicting state laws. This committee meets in a 5 year cycle to revise the standards that should be changed or reformatted.

Why ADA Regulations Exist
ADA signs were created so that everyone would be able to read and use signs effectively. These signs are specially created with the disabled in mind, and are custom made to fit their needs. They are also made to indicate which parts of a facility are accessible. It’s extremely hard to fit a wheelchair in any narrow space, and so it is important for physically handicapped persons to know where they can go and where they will not be able to maneuver well. In the same way, it’s important for hearing impaired people to know where tools are located for their benefit. These ADA signs help ensure that everyone is aware of important information.

Why ADA Works
ADA signs work because they help everyone out. Even though these ADA signs are constructed to specifically help those with disabilities, they are helpful to everyone in the hospital or health care facility. Having signs with bold lettering and clear instructions are helpful to everyone and not only those with disabilities. It’s easier to read signs that have large fonts and bold colors. ADA signs are extremely helpful to impaired individuals. Having Braille on signs throughout a hospital is absolutely necessary for visually impaired persons. Without Braille on every sign in a hospital or health care facility, they would not be able to find their way around the building or into any certain room. People with hearing disabilities need to be able to find where there are phones with TTY or volume control. These ADA signs make sure that it’s clear where these phones are located, eliminating the desperate search around a building.

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ADA signs are necessary in any and every hospital or health care facility. These signs are not just helpful, but essential to putting disabled persons at ease during their stay or visit to the facility.

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