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Compliance – Resource Bulletins are reference summaries of rules which govern the design of signs and related products. These bulletins are not legal advice,

and are not intended for use in legal proceedings or inspections. Please do your own research, and seek professional advice from your inspector, lawyer, or other

professional who is familiar with your specific situation on signage requirements, compliance or installation.

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ADA Braille

RESTROOMS

re/rooms

Compliance – Resource Bulletin

Page 1 of 5

ADA Braille Signs

Overview:

The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) is a wide-ranging civil rights law that prohibits, under certain

circumstances, discrimination based on disability. The 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design (ADAAG)

stipulates a braille standard for ADA signs requiring braille. In 1980 California was the first state to establish its

own braille standard, known as “California (Title 24) Braille,” and mandate its use for ADA signs across the state.

The California standard is mandated in Title 24 of the California Building Standards Code, and is detailed in the

DSA Access Compliance Manual.

The two standards differ only in braille dot spacing guidelines. ADAAG allows for a range of spacing between

dots in the same cell as well as dots in adjacent cells. California braille specifies that these two spacings must be

the maximum values allowed for in ADAAG. California believes the greater spacing enhances readability of the

message on a sign. The use of California standards for braille satisfies both Federal and California regulations,

allowing a single dot configuration for all braille signs nationwide.

Resources:

2010 ADAAG Standards (ADAAG): (Free)

http://www.ada.gov/2010ADAstandards_index.

htm

DSA Access Compliance Manual (DSA A.C.M.): (Free)

https://www.documents.dgs.ca.gov/dsa/pubs/

2016CBC_Advisory_Manual.pdf

ComplianceSigns.com Product Data Bulletin: (Free)

http://www.compliancesigns.com/media/prod

uctbulletins/ADA%20Braille%20Signs.pdf

Article on Braille Standards: (Free)

California Braille Tactile Standards: (Free)

http://www.brailleauthority.org/sizespacingofb

raille/sizespacingofbraille.pdf

http://www.dgs.ca.gov/dsa/Programs/progAcc

ess/braille.aspx

Design of ADA Braille Signs:

• BRAILLE DOT CONFIGURATION: Braille shall be contracted (Grade 2). Grade 2 uses a contracted

system or shorthand where groups of letters may be combined into a single braille cell often creating a

suffix, prefix or entire word. ADAAG requires that all braille dots shall be contracted (Grade 2), and have

a rounded or domed shape. There are also specifications for cell dimensions, dot height, cell spacing,

and capitalization that must be observed. (ADAAG 703.3) (CBC 11B-703.3) (see graphic aid 1 below)

Summary of content (5 pages)

PAGE 1
RESTROOMS re/rooms ADA Braille Compliance – Resource Bulletin ADA Braille Signs Overview: The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) is a wide-ranging civil rights law that prohibits, under certain circumstances, discrimination based on disability. The 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design (ADAAG) stipulates a braille standard for ADA signs requiring braille.
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RESTROOMS re/rooms ADA Braille Compliance – Resource Bulletin (ADA Braille Signs Continued) Graphic Aid 1: • CAPITALIZATION: In braille, capitalization requires the placement of extra dots in front of the translated text. Two dots indicate the entire word is capitalized while one dot indicates the first letter of the word is capitalized.
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RESTROOMS re/rooms ADA Braille Compliance – Resource Bulletin (ADA Braille Signs Continued) CHARACTERS & PICTOGRAMS: In addition to braille dots, ADA signs also contain raised characters (tactile text) and pictograms (pictorial symbols). Though braille is the most efficient way of reading by touch, some visually impaired people, especially those whose impairment developed later in life, may never have learned braille and require other tactile features in order to read the sign.
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RESTROOMS re/rooms ADA Braille Compliance – Resource Bulletin (ADA Braille Signs Continued) Graphic Aid 3: Pictogram Pictogram Field ISA (International Symbol of Accessibility) RESTROOMS Raised Character Grade 2 Braille • Page 4 of 5 • SIGN LOCATION & INSTALLATION: Signs with braille and tactile features must be located within a certain height range off the floor as well as in a certain location when in proximity to the doors of the rooms and spaces they identify. (ADAAG 703.4) (CBC 11B-703.
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RESTROOMS re/rooms ADA Braille Compliance – Resource Bulletin (ADA Braille Signs Continued) a3essi# 5tr.e 60 max.  48 min. a3essi# 5tr.e 1220 mm ACCESSIBLE ENTRANCE ACCESSIBLE ENTRANCE 1525 mm Graphic Aid 4: • BRAILLE OR NO BRAILLE: Though the 2010 ADAAG guideline sets standards for braille signs, it does not stipulate where in a building braille signs are required.