On March 15, 2011 the new ADA Accessibility Guidelines took effect on a national level for newly designed or altered facilities.  The Department of Justice enforces the standard in places of public accommodation, commercial facilities and in state or local government facilities.   During the next year, DOJ's regulations allow covered entities the choice of following either the updated standards or the original standards.  After March 15, 2012, the new standards are mandatory.  In setting the effective dates, DOJ sought to allow sufficient time for transitioning to the updated standards so as not to disrupt design and construction projects already underway.

There are substantive changes to the requirements for accessible signage, in both the scoping and technical sections of the standards.   Both tactile and visual characters are defined in greater detail, mounting heights for signs has changed and minimum character heights have been determined based on viewing distance.  Detailed information is available in these APCO Publications:

• Requirements for Interior Signs
• SignInfo:  Summary of Requirements for Interior Signs
• LRV (Light Reflectancy Values) Chart
• Contrast Calculator
• APCO Color Chart

Technical Assistance

Should you have any questions about signs and the ADA, technical assistance is available directly from the Access Board through their question line: , or by phone at 1 800 872 2253.

For the latest updates visit www.access-board.gov/ada-aba/standards-update.htm

Helpful Links
• Access Board
• U. S. Department of Justice ADA Homepage