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// CODE SNIPPET

703 Signs

2010 ADA Standards > 7 Communication Elements and Features > 703 Signs
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ILLUSTRATION

703.1 General

Signs shall comply with 703.  Where both visual and tactile characters are required, either one sign with both visual and tactile characters, or two separate signs, one with visual, and one with tactile characters, shall be provided.

703.2 Raised Characters

Raised characters shall comply with 703.2 and shall be duplicated in braille complying with 703.3.  Raised characters shall be installed in accordance with 703.4.

Advisory 703.2 Raised Characters. Signs that are designed to be read by touch should not have sharp or abrasive edges.

703.2.1 Depth

Raised characters shall be 1/32 inch (0.8 mm) minimum above their background.

703.2.2 Case

Characters shall be uppercase.

703.2.3 Style

Characters shall be sans serif.  Characters shall not be italic, oblique, script, highly decorative, or of other unusual forms.

703.2.4 Character Proportions

Characters shall be selected from fonts where the width of the uppercase letter "O" is 55 percent minimum and 110 percent maximum of the height of the uppercase letter "I".

703.2.5 Character Height

Character height measured vertically from the baseline of the character shall be 5/8 inch (16 mm) minimum and 2 inches (51 mm) maximum based on the height of the uppercase letter "I".

EXCEPTION: Where separate raised and visual characters with the same information are provided, raised character height shall be permitted to be 1/2 inch (13 mm) minimum.
Figure 703.2.5 Height of Raised Characters
An Enlarged detail shows the character height measured from the baseline of the character is five-eighths to 2 inches (16 to 51 mm) based on the uppercase letter I.

703.2.6 Stroke Thickness

Stroke thickness of the uppercase letter "I" shall be 15 percent maximum of the height of the character.

703.2.7 Character Spacing

Character spacing shall be measured between the two closest points of adjacent raised characters within a message, excluding word spaces. Where characters have rectangular cross sections, spacing between individual raised characters shall be 1/8 inch (3.2 mm) minimum and 4 times the raised character stroke width maximum.  Where characters have other cross sections, spacing between individual raised characters shall be 1/16 inch (1.6 mm) minimum and 4 times the raised character stroke width maximum at the base of the cross sections, and 1/8 inch (3.2 mm) minimum and 4 times the raised character stroke width maximum at the top of the cross sections.  Characters shall be separated from raised borders and decorative elements 3/8 inch (9.5 mm) minimum.

703.2.8 Line Spacing

Spacing between the baselines of separate lines of raised characters within a message shall be 135 percent minimum and 170 percent maximum of the raised character height.

703.3 Braille

Braille shall be contracted (Grade 2) and shall comply with 703.3 and 703.4.

703.3.1 Dimensions and Capitalization

Braille dots shall have a domed or rounded shape and shall comply with Table 703.3.1.  The indication of an uppercase letter or letters shall only be used before the first word of sentences, proper nouns and names, individual letters of the alphabet, initials, and acronyms.
Table 703.3.1 Braille Dimensions
Measurement RangeMinimum in Inches
Maximum in Inches
1. Measured center to center.
Dot base diameter 0.059 (1.5 mm) to
0.063 (1.6 mm)
Distance between
two dots in the same cell 1
0.090 (2.3 mm) to
0.100 (2.5 mm)
Distance between
corresponding dots
in adjacent cells 1
0.241 (6.1 mm) to
0.300 (7.6 mm)
Dot height 0.025 (0.6 mm) to
0.037 (0.9 mm)
Distance between
corresponding dots
from one cell directly below 1
0.395 (10 mm) to
0.400 (10.2 mm)
Figure 703.3.1 Braille Measurement
Six Braille cells are shown indicating what is meant by

703.3.2 Position

Braille shall be positioned below the corresponding text. If text is multi-lined, braille shall be placed below the entire text. Braille shall be separated 3/8 inch (9.5 mm) minimum from any other tactile characters and 3/8 inch (9.5 mm) minimum from raised borders and decorative elements.

EXCEPTION: Braille provided on elevator car controls shall be separated 3/16 inch (4.8 mm) minimum and shall be located either directly below or adjacent to the corresponding raised characters or symbols.
Figure 703.3.2 Position of Braille
An enlarged detail shows Braille dots positioned 3/8 inch (9.5 mm) minimum below tactile letters and 3/8 inch (9.5 mm) minimum separation from the sign border.

703.4 Installation Height and Location

Signs with tactile characters shall comply with 703.4.

703.4.1 Height Above Finish Floor or Ground

Tactile characters on signs shall be located 48 inches (1220 mm) minimum above the finish floor or ground surface, measured from the baseline of the lowest tactile character and 60 inches (1525 mm) maximum above the finish floor or ground surface, measured from the baseline of the highest tactile character.

EXCEPTION: Tactile characters for elevator car controls shall not be required to comply with 703.4.1.
Figure 703.4.1 Height of Tactile Characters Above Finish Floor or Ground
A tactile sign is shown mounted with the baseline of the lowest characters 48 inches (1220 mm) minimum and the baseline of the highest characters 60 inches (1525 mm) maximum above the finish floor.

703.4.2 Location

Where a tactile sign is provided at a door, the sign shall be located alongside the door at the latch side.  Where a tactile sign is provided at double doors with one active leaf, the sign shall be located on the inactive leaf.  Where a tactile sign is provided at double doors with two active leafs, the sign shall be located to the right of the right hand door.  Where there is no wall space at the latch side of a single door or at the right side of double doors, signs shall be located on the nearest adjacent wall.  Signs containing tactile characters shall be located so that a clear floor space of 18 inches (455 mm) minimum by 18 inches (455 mm) minimum, centered on the tactile characters, is provided beyond the arc of any door swing between the closed position and 45 degree open position.

EXCEPTION: Signs with tactile characters shall be permitted on the push side of doors with closers and without hold-open devices.
Figure 703.4.2 Location of Tactile Signs at Doors
A sign with tactile characters is mounted so that clear floor space 18 by 18 inches (455 by 455 mm) minimum, centered on the tactile characters, is provided beyond the arc of any door swing between the closed position and 45 degree open position.

703.5 Visual Characters

Visual characters shall comply with 703.5.

EXCEPTION: Where visual characters comply with 703.2 and are accompanied by braille complying with 703.3, they shall not be required to comply with 703.5.2 through 703.5.9.

703.5.1 Finish and Contrast

Characters and their background shall have a non-glare finish. Characters shall contrast with their background with either light characters on a dark background or dark characters on a light background.

Advisory 703.5.1 Finish and Contrast.  Signs are more legible for persons with low vision when characters contrast as much as possible with their background.  Additional factors affecting the ease with which the text can be distinguished from its background include shadows cast by lighting sources, surface glare, and the uniformity of the text and its background colors and textures.

703.5.2 Case

Characters shall be uppercase or lowercase or a combination of both.

703.5.3 Style

Characters shall be conventional in form.  Characters shall not be italic, oblique, script, highly decorative, or of other unusual forms.

703.5.4 Character Proportions

Characters shall be selected from fonts where the width of the uppercase letter "O" is 55 percent minimum and 110 percent maximum of the height of the uppercase letter "I".

703.5.5 Character Height

Minimum character height shall comply with Table 703.5.5. Viewing distance shall be measured as the horizontal distance between the character and an obstruction preventing further approach towards the sign.  Character height shall be based on the uppercase letter "I".
Table 703.5.5 Visual Character Height
Height to Finish Floor or Ground
from Baseline of Character
Horizontal Viewing DistanceMinimum Character Height
40 inches (1015 mm)
to less than or equal to 70 inches (1780 mm)
less than 72 inches (1830 mm) 5/8 inch (16 mm)
72 inches (1830 mm) and greater 5/8 inch (16 mm), plus 1/8 inch (3.2 mm) per foot (305 mm)
of viewing distance above 72 inches (1830 mm)
Greater than 70 inches (1780 mm)
to less than or equal to 120 inches (3050 mm)
less than 180 inches (4570 mm) 2 inches (51 mm)
180 inches (4570 mm) and greater 2 inches (51 mm), plus 1/8 inch (3.2 mm) per foot (305 mm)
of viewing distance above 180 inches (4570 mm)
greater than 120 inches (3050 mm) less than 21 feet (6400 mm) 3 inches (75 mm)
21 feet (6400 mm) and greater 3 inches (75 mm), plus 1/8 inch (3.2 mm) per foot (305 mm)
of viewing distance above 21 feet (6400 mm)

703.5.6 Height From Finish Floor or Ground

Visual characters shall be 40 inches (1015 mm) minimum above the finish floor or ground.

EXCEPTION: Visual characters indicating elevator car controls shall not be required to comply with 703.5.6.

703.5.7 Stroke Thickness

Stroke thickness of the uppercase letter "I" shall be 10 percent minimum and 30 percent maximum of the height of the character.

703.5.8 Character Spacing

Character spacing shall be measured between the two closest points of adjacent characters, excluding word spaces.  Spacing between individual characters shall be 10 percent minimum and 35 percent maximum of character height.

703.5.9 Line Spacing

Spacing between the baselines of separate lines of characters within a message shall be 135 percent minimum and 170 percent maximum of the character height.

703.6 Pictograms

Pictograms shall comply with 703.6.

703.6.1 Pictogram Field

Pictograms shall have a field height of 6 inches (150 mm) minimum.  Characters and braille shall not be located in the pictogram field.
Figure 703.6.1 Pictogram Field
The field height for a men's room pictogram is shown to be 6 inches (150 mm) minimum.  Tactile and Braille characters are located below, outside the pictogram field.

703.6.2 Finish and Contrast

Pictograms and their field shall have a non-glare finish. Pictograms shall contrast with their field with either a light pictogram on a dark field or a dark pictogram on a light field.

Advisory 703.6.2 Finish and Contrast.  Signs are more legible for persons with low vision when characters contrast as much as possible with their background.  Additional factors affecting the ease with which the text can be distinguished from its background include shadows cast by lighting sources, surface glare, and the uniformity of the text and background colors and textures.

703.6.3 Text Descriptors

Pictograms shall have text descriptors located directly below the pictogram field.  Text descriptors shall comply with 703.2, 703.3 and 703.4.

703.7 Symbols of Accessibility

Symbols of accessibility shall comply with 703.7.

703.7.1 Finish and Contrast

Symbols of accessibility and their background shall have a non-glare finish.  Symbols of accessibility shall contrast with their background with either a light symbol on a dark background or a dark symbol on a light background.

Advisory 703.7.1 Finish and Contrast.  Signs are more legible for persons with low vision when characters contrast as much as possible with their background.  Additional factors affecting the ease with which the text can be distinguished from its background include shadows cast by lighting sources, surface glare, and the uniformity of the text and background colors and textures.

703.7.2 Symbols

703.7.2.1 International Symbol of Accessibility

The International Symbol of Accessibility shall comply with Figure 703.7.2.1.
Figure 703.7.2.1 International Symbol of Accessibility
Pictogram that shows the simplified profile of a person seated in a wheelchair.

703.7.2.2 International Symbol of TTY

The International Symbol of TTY shall comply with Figure 703.7.2.2.
Figure 703.7.2.2 International Symbol of TTY
Pictogram of a TTY showing the keyboard and space bar typical of most devices and the shape of a telephone handset at the top.

703.7.2.3 Volume Control Telephones

Telephones with a volume control shall be identified by a pictogram of a telephone handset with radiating sound waves on a square field such as shown in Figure 703.7.2.3.
Figure 703.7.2.3 Volume Control Telephone
Pictogram of a telephone handset in profile with radiating sound waves.

703.7.2.4 Assistive Listening Systems

Assistive listening systems shall be identified by the International Symbol of Access for Hearing Loss complying with Figure 703.7.2.4.
Figure 703.7.2.4 International Symbol of Access for Hearing Loss
Pictogram with the shape of an ear and a bar diagonally across the shape. 

Related Code Sections


216 Scoping Requirements, Signs
Signs shall be provided in accordance with 216 and shall comply with 703. EXCEPTIONS : Building directories, menus, seat and row ...
2010 ADA Standards > 2 Scoping Requirements > 216 Signs
703 Communication Elements and Features, Signs
Signs shall comply with 703.  Where both visual and tactile characters are required, either one sign with both visual and tactile characters ...
2010 ADA Standards > 7 Communication Elements and Features > 703 Signs
407.2.3 Accessible Routes, Hoistway Signs
Signs at elevator hoistways shall comply with 407.2.3 ...
2010 ADA Standards > 4 Accessible Routes > 407 Elevators > 407.2 Elevator Landing Requirements > 407.2.3 Hoistway Signs
408.2.3 Accessible Routes, Hoistway Signs
Signs at elevator hoistways shall comply with 407.2.3.1 ...
2010 ADA Standards > 4 Accessible Routes > 408 Limited-Use / Limited-Application Elevators > 408.2 Elevator Landings > 408.2.3 Hoistway Signs
810.4 Special Rooms, Spaces, and Elements, Bus Signs
Bus route identification signs shall comply with 703.5.1 through 703.5.4, and 703.5.7 and 703.5.8. In addition, to the maximum extent practicable ...
2010 ADA Standards > 8 Special Rooms, Spaces, and Elements > 810 Transportation Facilities > 810.4 Bus Signs
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