Accessible Health Care Briefs: HEALTH CARE (Clinic/Outpatient) FACILITIES ACCESS

A. Directional Signage

1. If the accessible entrance is one other than the main entrance, a sign at the main entrance should indicate the location of the accessible entrance and the alternate route for access. The travel distances from the general route need to be minimized.^viii Signage may be necessary along routes to avoid confusion. 

   

   Figure 2: Direction signage indicating accessible entrance pointing to the right side of the building.

2. Effective Braille and tactile signs are an important way to make facilities welcoming and functional for people with vision limitations. “Characters and symbols should have backgrounds in eggshell, matte, or other non-glare finish, and contrast with their background -- either light characters on a dark background or dark characters on a light background.” ^ix 

   

   Figure 3 and 4: Two examples of signage containing contrasting colors, tactile diagrams and Braille.^x

For a complete list of signage specifications including character height, proportion, font, size, and mounting placement refer to ADAAG Section 4.30 Signage.