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

11B-703.7 Symbols of accessibility.

Symbols of accessibility shall comply with Section 11B-703.7.

Advisory 11B-703.7 Symbols of accessibility. Symbols of accessibility, such as the International Symbol of Accessibility (ISA), which are included on signs with raised characters and Braille are not required to be raised. The ISA, when included on a tactile sign, does not require any accompanying text, either visual or tactile. ◼

11B-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 11B-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. ◼

11B-703.7.2 Symbols.

11B-703.7.2.1 International Symbol of Accessibility.

The International Symbol of Accessibility shall comply with Figure 11B-703.7.2.1. The symbol shall consist of a white figure on a blue background. The color blue shall approximate FS 15090 in Federal Standard 595C. A border may be provided inside or outside of the minimum required International Symbol of Accessibility dimension.

[2010 ADA Standards] 703.7.2.1 International Symbol of Accessibility. The International Symbol of Accessibility shall comply with Figure 703.7.2.1.

Exceptions:

1. The appropriate enforcement agency may approve other colors provided the symbol contrast is light on dark or dark on light.
2. On the accessibility function button on hall call consoles in a destination-oriented elevator system the International Symbol of Accessibility shall be a white symbol on a black background.

FIGURE 11B-703.7.2.1 INTERNATIONAL SYMBOL OF ACCESSIBILITY

Advisory 11B-703.7.2.1 International Symbol of Accessibility Exception. This exception provides latitude in the use of other colors, but artistic license in the graphic representation of the symbol itself is not permitted. ◼

11B-703.7.2.2 International Symbol of TTY.

The International Symbol of TTY shall comply with Figure 11B-703.7.2.2.

FIGURE 11B-703.7.2.2 INTERNATIONAL SYMBOL OF TTY

11B-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 11B-703.7.2.3.

FIGURE 11B-703.7.2.3 VOLUME CONTROL TELEPHONE

11B-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 11B-703.7.2.4.

FIGURE 11B-703.7.2.4 INTERNATIONAL SYMBOL OF ACCESS FOR HEARING LOSS

11B-703.7.2.5 Reserved.

11B-703.7.2.6 Toilet and bathing facilities geometric symbols.

Geometric symbols at entrances to toilet and bathing rooms shall be mounted at 58 inches (1473 mm) minimum and 60 inches (1524 mm) maximum above the finish floor or ground surface measured from the centerline of the symbol. Where a door is provided the symbol shall be mounted within 1 inch (25 mm) of the vertical centerline of the door.

Advisory 11B-703.7.2.6 Toilet and bathing facilities geometric symbols. There is no requirement for providing gender pictograms in combination with the geometric identification symbols required at doorways leading to men’s, women’s and unisex toilet and bathing facilities.

When toilet and bathing facilities have doorway openings instead of doors, such as at airports or stadiums, the geometric identification symbol should be located at the proper height adjacent to the opening or incorporated into the required tactile identification sign. For example, the geometric symbol may be used as the sign background with raised characters and Braille per Sections 11B-703.2 and 11B-703.3. ◼

11B-703.7.2.6.1 Men’s toilet and bathing facilities.

An equilateral triangle, ¼ inch (6.4 mm) thick with edges 12 inches (305 mm) long and a vertex pointing upward, shall be located at entrances to men’s toilet and bathing facilities. The triangle symbol shall contrast with the door, either light on a dark background or dark on a light background.

Exception: Within secure perimeter of detention and correctional facilities, geometric symbols shall not be required to be ¼ inch (6.4 mm) thick.

11B-703.7.2.6.2 Women’s toilet and bathing facilities.

A circle, ¼ inch (6.4 mm) thick and 12 inches (305 mm) in diameter, shall be located at entrances to women’s toilet and bathing facilities. The circle symbol shall contrast with the door, either light on a dark background or dark on a light background.

Exception: Within secure perimeter of detention and correctional facilities, geometric symbols shall not be required to be ¼ inch (6.4 mm) thick.

11B-703.7.2.6.3 Unisex toilet and bathing facilities.

A circle, ¼ inch (6.4 mm) thick and 12 inches (305 mm) in diameter with a ¼ inch (6.4 mm) thick triangle with a vertex pointing upward, superimposed on and geometrically inscribed within the circle and within the 12-inch diameter, shall be provided at entrances to unisex toilet and bathing facilities. The vertices of the triangle shall be located ¼ inch (6.4 mm) maximum from the edge of the circle. The triangle symbol shall contrast with the circle symbol, either light on a dark background or dark on a light background. The circle symbol shall contrast with the door, either light on a dark background or dark on a light background.

Exception: Within secure perimeter of detention and correctional facilities, geometric symbols shall not be required to be ¼ inch (6.4 mm) thick.

11B-703.7.2.6.4 Edges and vertices on geometric symbols.

Edges shall be eased or rounded at 1/16 inch (1.59 mm) minimum, or chamfered at 1/8 inch (3.2 mm) maximum. Vertices shall be radiused between 1/8 inch (3.2 mm) minimum and ¼ inch (6.4 mm) maximum.

FIGURE 11B-703.7.2.6.4 EDGES AND VERTICES ON GEOMETRIC SYMBOLS

11B-703.7.2.7 Pedestrian traffic-control buttons.

Pole-supported pedestrian traffic-control buttons shall be identified with color coding consisting of a textured horizontal yellow band 2 inches (51 mm) in width encircling the pole, and a 1-inch-wide (25 mm) dark border band above and below this yellow band. Color coding shall be placed immediately above the control button. Control buttons shall be located no higher than 48 inches (1219 mm) above the ground surface adjacent to the pole.