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2019 California Standards for Accessible Design Guide (effective January 1, 2020 with July 1, 2021 amendments)

Note: This document or portion of document references a state or local code that is stricter than the 2010 ADA Standards requires.

11B-703.3 Braille.

Braille shall be contracted (Grade 2) and shall comply with Sections 11B-703.3 and 11B-703.4.

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Advisory 11B-703.3 Braille. Contracted Braille uses special characters called contractions to make words shorter. Standard English uses contractions like "don't" as a short way of writing two words, such as "do" and "not." In Braille there are many additional contractions. Some contractions stand for a whole word and other contractions stand for a group of letters within a word. In addition to contractions, the Braille code includes short-form words which are abbreviated spellings of common longer words. For example, "tomorrow" is spelled "tm", "friend" is spelled "fr", and "little" is spelled "ll" in Braille. ◼

11B-703.3.1 Dimensions and capitalization.

Braille dots shall have a domed or rounded shape and shall comply with Table 11B-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 11B-703.3.1 BRAILLE DIMENSIONS

MEASUREMENT RANGE

MINIMUM IN INCHES
MAXIMUM IN INCHES

Dot base diameter

0.059 (1.5 mm) to 0.063 (1.6 mm)

Distance between two dots in the same cell1

0.100 (2.5 mm)

Distance between corresponding dots in adjacent cells1

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 below1

0.395 (10 mm) to 0.400 (10.2 mm)

1. Measured center to center. 

ETA Editor's Note

Table 11B-703.3.1 in CBC is the same as Table 703.3.1 in 2010 ADA Standards, except for distance between dots in the same cell or adjacent cells. 2010 ADA Standards allows a range, while CBC prescribes the maximum spacing allowed by 2010 ADA Standards, with no deviation allowed. When dealing with sign manufacturers or elevator companies whose scope of operations extends outside California, extra diligence is necessary to ensure that CBC braille specifications are followed.

 

Six Braille cells are shown indicating what is meant by “dot diameter,” “distance between dots in the same cell,” “distance between dots in adjacent cells,” “distance between corresponding dots from one cell directly below” in Table 703.3.1.

FIGURE 11B-703.3.1 BRAILLE MEASUREMENT ‡‡

11B-703.3.2 Position.

Braille shall be positioned below the corresponding text in a horizontal format, flush left or centered. If text is multi-lined, Braille shall be placed below the entire text. Braille shall be separated 3/8 inch (9.5 mm) minimum and ½ inch (12.7 mm) maximum from any other tactile characters and 3/8 inch (9.5 mm) minimum from raised borders and decorative elements.

[2010 ADA Standards] 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 directly below the corresponding raised characters or symbols.

[2010 ADA Standards] 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.

An enlarged detail shows Braille dots positioned 3/8 to 1/2 inch minimum below tactile letters and 3/8 inch minimum separation from the sign border.

FIGURE 11B-703.3.2 POSITION OF BRAILLE ‡‡

ETA Editor's Note

CBC Figure 11B-703.3.2 is not intended to suggest that braille must be multi-lined when the related text is multi-lined, only to illustrate the required position and spacing from other sign elements.

Source: 2019 California Standards for Accessible Design Guide (effective January 1, 2020 with July 1, 2021 amendments) by DSA Advisory Manual - published 07/01/2019

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