ADA Compliant Signs in Southern NH and North Shore MA

The ADA requires tactile characters, Grade 2 Braille, proper contrast, and exact mounting heights on signage throughout your building. Signs East designs, fabricates, and installs ADA-compliant room ID, restroom, wayfinding, and exit signs that pass inspection. Owner-operated since 2012, and we can survey your facility to tell you exactly what you need.

Built to federal ADA specs
Owner-operated since 2012
Serving Southern NH and North Shore MA

The Short Version

ADA-compliant signs are the tactile and Braille signs the Americans with Disabilities Act requires in public and commercial buildings. Signs East designs, fabricates, and installs them: room identification, restroom, wayfinding, and exit or safety signs. Each is built with raised tactile characters, Grade 2 Braille, at least 70% contrast, a non-glare finish, and mounting 48 to 60 inches to the baseline on the latch side of the door. We survey your facility to identify every required location, match the signs to your interior, and provide documentation of the compliance specs. We serve Southern NH, the Seacoast, and North Shore MA from our shop in Kingston, NH. Request a quote to get your facility compliant.

What Are ADA-Compliant Signs?

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires specific signage in all public areas of buildings: restrooms, room numbers, exits, stairwells, and more. These signs must include tactile characters, Grade 2 Braille, proper contrast, and correct mounting heights.

Getting it wrong means more than a failed inspection. Non-compliant signage can lead to lawsuits, fines, and costly retrofits. We have seen businesses forced to replace entire sign packages because someone ordered the wrong specs online.

Important: ADA requirements are specific and non-negotiable. Character height, Braille placement, mounting height, and contrast ratios all have exact specifications. Generic "ADA style" signs from online vendors often do not meet actual compliance standards.

We design and fabricate ADA-compliant signage that meets federal requirements and passes inspection. Every sign includes proper tactile lettering, Grade 2 Braille, and documentation of compliance specs. We can also survey your facility and identify what signage you need.

Get an ADA Signage Quote

What Types of ADA Signs Do We Produce?

All fabricated to federal ADA standards with tactile characters, Grade 2 Braille, and proper contrast ratios.

Room Identification Signs

Room numbers, office names, and suite identifiers. Required for all permanent rooms and spaces. Includes raised tactile characters and Grade 2 Braille. Mounted at ADA-specified height on the latch side of the door.

Restroom Signs

Men, Women, All-Gender, and Family restrooms. Includes required pictograms, tactile text, Braille, and the International Symbol of Accessibility where applicable. Designed to meet both ADA and local code.

Wayfinding and Directional Signs

Directories, directional arrows, and navigation signs. Not all wayfinding signs require tactile elements, but overhead and projecting signs have specific requirements. We keep your wayfinding system compliant throughout.

Exit and Safety Signs

Exit signs, stairwell identification, areas of rescue assistance, and emergency evacuation signage. These have specific requirements for tactile elements, photoluminescence, and mounting locations.

What Are the ADA Sign Requirements?

These are not suggestions. They are federal requirements with specific measurements.

Tactile Characters

Raised characters at least 1/32 inch. Sans-serif or simple serif fonts. Character height 5/8 inch to 2 inches for room signs. Tactile elements must be uppercase.

Grade 2 Braille

Contracted Braille (not Grade 1) positioned below the tactile text. Specific dot height, spacing, and placement requirements. Must be domed, not flat.

Mounting Height

48 to 60 inches from the floor to the baseline of the lowest tactile character. Signs must be on the latch side of the door, not on the door itself, with specific clearance requirements.

Contrast

70% minimum contrast between characters and background. Light on dark or dark on light both work as long as the contrast ratio is met.

Non-Glare Finish

The sign surface must have a non-glare finish. Glossy surfaces fail inspection. Matte or satin finishes are required for both background and characters.

Pictograms

When pictograms are used, they must sit in a 6 inch minimum height field. The text descriptor goes directly below the pictogram field.

How Does the ADA Signage Process Work?

From assessment to installation, we handle everything.

1

Facility Assessment

We can survey your building to identify every location that requires ADA signage: rooms, restrooms, exits, stairwells, and more. You get a complete list of what is needed, not just what you thought to ask about.

2

Design and Specification

We design signs that meet ADA requirements while matching your interior. Colors, materials, and mounting hardware are selected to complement your space. You approve proofs before production.

3

Fabrication

Signs are produced with proper tactile characters, Grade 2 Braille, correct contrast ratios, and non-glare finishes. Every sign is inspected before it leaves our shop.

4

Installation

We install signs at the correct heights and locations. Proper mounting is part of compliance, since even a correctly made sign fails if it is mounted wrong. You get documentation of placement specs for your records.

ADA Signage Questions

Common questions about compliance and requirements.

If your building is open to the public or has employees, yes. The ADA applies to places of public accommodation (stores, restaurants, offices, medical facilities, and the like) and commercial facilities. Both new construction and renovations trigger compliance requirements.
ADA violations can bring civil penalties up to $75,000 for a first violation and $150,000 for later ones. More often, businesses face lawsuits from individuals or advocacy groups that end in settlements plus required remediation. It is far cheaper to get it right the first time.
You can, but be careful. Many online vendors sell signs labeled "ADA compliant" that do not actually meet all requirements: wrong Braille grade, incorrect character heights, improper contrast, or glossy finishes. We have replaced a lot of online orders that failed inspection. Working with a sign company that knows the specs protects you from costly mistakes.
Not all of them, specifically the signs that identify permanent rooms and spaces. Room numbers, restroom signs, exit signs, and stairwell identifiers require tactile characters and Braille. Temporary signs, informational signs, and directional signs typically do not require tactile elements, though there are exceptions. We help you determine what is required for each location.
Individual ADA room signs typically run $30 to $75 each depending on size, materials, and complexity. Restroom signs with pictograms run higher. For a full facility package with survey, design, fabrication, and installation, we provide a complete quote after understanding your space and needs.
Yes. ADA requirements set minimum standards for accessibility, not aesthetics. You have flexibility in colors (as long as contrast requirements are met), materials, shapes, and overall design. We create signs that are both compliant and consistent with your interior design.

Need ADA-Compliant Signage?

Tell us about your facility. We will help you identify what is required and provide a complete quote.

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