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What is an ADA sign?

Answered by NameBadge.com · Updated August 2026
An ADA sign is a permanent-room sign built to the ADA 2010 Standards §703: it carries raised (tactile) characters, Grade 2 Braille, a sans-serif font, a non-glare finish, and high light-dark contrast so people who are blind or have low vision can read it by touch.
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An ADA sign is signage that complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) 2010 Standards for Accessible Design, section §703. These signs identify or direct people to spaces in public and commercial buildings and are designed to be readable both visually and by touch.

To qualify as ADA-compliant, a permanent-room sign must combine several features in one plate:

  • Raised (tactile) characters, letters and numbers raised at least 1/32" off the surface, in a sans-serif typeface, in uppercase.
  • Grade 2 Braille, contracted Braille placed directly below the corresponding text.
  • Non-glare finish and high contrast, light characters on a dark field or dark characters on a light field.
  • Pictograms where required (restroom, accessibility), each inside a 6" high field.

Yes. Under the ADA, permanent rooms and spaces in places of public accommodation must be identified with compliant tactile signage. State and local building codes may add further requirements, so always confirm local code.

Explore our ADA sign options. NameBadge.com manufactures real Grade 2 Braille ADA signage in-house in the USA, so your restroom, exit, and room signs ship built to §703.

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