ADA Compliance – Reduce the Expense of A Fine Before It Happens.
DOJ Increases Penalties For ADA Violations
Did you know that you can be fined $75k for a single ADA violation? ADA signs are not exempt from this fine and states and local jurisdictions are getting serious about enforcing ADA violations. Earlier this year, the Department of Justice (DOJ) made adjustments to the civil monetary penalties under Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). According to the official ADA website (http://www.ada.gov/doj_hud_statement.pdf)
On March 28, 2014, the Department of Justice issued a Final Rule that adjusts for inflation the civil monetary penalties assessed or enforced by the Civil Rights Division, including civil penalties available under title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA). For the ADA, this adjustment increases the maximum civil penalty for a first violation under title III from $55,000 to $75,000; for a subsequent violation the new maximum is $150,000. The new maximums apply only to violations occurring on or after April 28, 2014.
The take away is that penalties can be avoided by following ADA guidelines from the start. The Architectural and Design communities create sign packages; sign fabricators make ADA signs. Smart fabricators who understand the ADA and the penalties associated with non-compliance will have their clients sign a waiver stating that they acknowledge the ADA signs being made are not complaint. If the A&D and Sign communities work together, these fines can be avoided altogether.
Under the ADA, all public facilities must be compliant. Room identification signs make up the largest number of signs in facilities; all permanent rooms must have ADA compliant signs. Section 7 deals with Signage and Detectable Warnings and contains several key changes that effect room identification signs.
Minimum of 1/8″ kerning between characters
Ability to use Dual Message signs
Mounting height of signs are now 48″ – 60″
San Serif fonts
Need help making your community compliant? Valiant can help. Call us today: 972-390-7410. Or, help@valiantdesigners.com
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ADA Compliance Standards
Content Credit: Nova Polymers.
