2022 California Standards for Accessible Design Guide (effective January 1, 2023)

11B-703.6 Pictograms.

Pictograms shall comply with Section 11B-703.6.

Advisory 11B-703.6 Pictograms. Pictograms and other symbols, 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-703.6.1 Pictogram field.

Pictograms shall have a field height of 6 inches (152 mm) minimum. Characters and Braille shall not be located in the pictogram field.

Advisory 11B-703.6.1 Pictogram field. Pictograms include both a symbol and the field (or background) on which it is displayed. The 6-inch vertical dimension applies to the field, not the symbol. The symbol may be smaller than the field. The required equivalent verbal description must be placed below the pictogram, and may not intrude into the 6-inch field. ◼

FIGURE 11B-703.6.1 PICTOGRAM FIELD

11B-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 11B-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. ◼

11B-703.6.3 Text descriptors.

Pictograms shall have text descriptors located directly below the pictogram field. Text descriptors shall comply with Sections 11B-703.2, 11B-703.3 and 11B-703.4.