Handicap signs must be in blue and white or a non-glaring color.
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires that handicap signs be compliant with its rules and regulations. The ADA is an organization that prohibits businesses and public places from discriminating against the disabled. The ADA requires municipalities and businesses to display handicap signs in public areas. Throughout your travels, you may find handicap signs at parking lots, public bathrooms, ATMs, elevators or at seating areas in theaters or concert halls.
Handicap Symbol
The ADA requires that every handicap sign includes the International Symbol of Access. You can identify this symbol by the white figure in a wheelchair on a blue background. This sign lets others know that the parking space is for handicapped individuals only. The parking area should have a minimum of 60 inches around it. This space provides easy access for the disabled. Businesses can buy handicap signs at medical supply stores and sign companies.
Van Accessible Spaces
One out of every eight handicap parking spaces should have a 98-inch wide access aisle for disabled individuals, according to the Adaptive Access website. These parking spaces are van accessible and should have the handicap symbol designation. Below the handicap symbol should be a sign that reads "Van-accessible." Even though these are van accessible spaces, cars with a handicap sign can use these spaces as well. Typically, these spaces are for vans with wheelchair lifts.
Sign Height Regulations
There are no specific height requirements for handicap parking signs, but the handicap sign itself should be high enough so that other people can see it. It also should be erected high enough so that large vehicles do not obstruct it. The ADA also requires that businesses place a handicap sign in front of a parking space in plain view of passengers. When mounting these signs, businesses should allow for high-top vans since most drivers transporting the handicapped use these types of vehicles.
