ASI Integrates Color and Contrast Into ADA Architectural Signage Solutions

Sept. 6, 2011 - PRLog -- Dallas, TX:  ASI ( http://asisignage.com/) stands ready to address the concerns of businesses whose facilities require ADA-compliant architectural signage, whether healthcare facilities, educational institutions or corporate campuses. ADA regulations mandate that signs employ sufficient contrast so that they will be easy for visually-impaired people to read and use for wayfinding purposes. To that end, ASI provides signage solutions that meets ADA guidelines and makes use of eye-catching colors to ensure proper color contrast.

ADA regulations for signage state: “Characters shall contrast with their background with either light characters on a dark background or dark characters on a light background.” To meet that requirement, ASI employs what's known as the 70% minimum contrast rule of thumb ( http://blog.asisignage.com/2011/06/30/applying-clarity-to-ada-signage-contrast-requirements/). In other words, color contrast between signage background and characters should be at least 70%. According to Kelly David, director of marketing and product management at ASI, ”While a 70% value is easy to calculate, the facility manager and signage provider need to work together to measure the actual available light where the sign will be displayed to ensure the color and message truly does achieve and perform at a 70% value.”

Smart use of color contrast that meets ADA requirements makes architectural signage more accessible and functional for everybody who patronizes a given facility. With architectural signage, it's vital that the colors can effectively function in the environment. Colors used on ADA signage that meet the 70% minimum contrast rule of thumb will need to vary from facility to facility, depending on each facility's unique structure and lighting system. These factors can make all the difference when considered from the point of view of visually-impaired individuals.

ASI offers a diverse selection of signage styles, materials, finishes and components that can meet any signage need clients may have. In working with clients to develop efficient and attractive ADA architectural signage solutions ( http://asisignage.com/Resources/ADASignageInformation/tab...), ASI recognizes that colors selected to affect the required contrast are a vital consideration. Not only must the colors look good while meeting ADA guidelines, but they must also work for wayfinding purposes and for branding the facility. “Clients do not have to sacrifice their brand identity or architectural color scheme when they choose an ADA signage solution,” says David. ”There is enough contrast options and material options available to ensure the client’s brand and the aesthetic aspects of the environment are incorporated into any ADA signage solution.