The Opinion/Commentary section of the SEPT/OCT issue of Communication Arts Magazine, included an article by Linda Cooper Bowen ,“When The ADA Rules, Designing for the Disabled” wherein she interviewed a number of leading environmental graphic design firms. She asked them about the challenges of designing while adhering to the limitations poised by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Her survey included Whitehouse & Company, Two Twelve Associates, Coco Raynes Associates, Gottschalk+Ash and Forseer, all great representatives of the environmental graphic design community.

Overlooking the fact that Linda did not choose to speak with GNU, I am taking the liberty of completing her article by providing GNU’s perspective on this topic. ADA rules influence fully 90% of our work. I’ll even throw in a few additional questions on Linda’s behalf.

DPTBLCB (Dickson Pretending to be Linda Cooper Brown):

How do ADA guidelines affect your Design Practice?

Dickson A. Keyser, GNU Group, San Francisco, California

Linda, great question. Much of our design falls under these guidelines adopted by Congress back in 1990. We specialize in Environmental Graphic and Architectural Sign Programs for exterior and interior environments. Most new environments are required to be constructed for accessibility and existing buildings must be upgraded. The wayfinding and sign programs we design must adhere to the special requirements for presenting information and instructions, optimizing placement and locations and assuring visibility through contrast, font size and the incorporation of tactile Braille.

DPTBLCB:

How does GNU approach designing within ADA requirements?

Keyser:

By being fully conversant with the requirements.  We make sure all of our team is up-to-date on the latest regulations and amendments. If you don’t know the rules you surely can’t follow them.

DPTBLCB:

How does your team stay on top of any revisions or rulings on these guidelines?

Keyser:

Fortunately the regulations don’t change that often, but they do get amended from time to time. Howard Curtis, Senior Technical Designer for GNU has completed certification course work that has given him thorough knowledge of the ADA. In turn, Howard continues to educate our design team on the regulations. All Project Managers and Design Staff at GNU are expected to know these guidelines. 

DPTBLCB:

What do you find most challenging in designing within the ADA?

Keyser:

For the most part the frustrations are not in the level of creativity possible but in the logistics of making sure that the solutions are in compliance. For example, there are rules within ADA that can be interpreted differently based upon how they are written. This used to be frustrating until our discipline’s professional organization, the Society of Environmental Graphic Designers (SEGD), published “White Papers” that codified best practice interpretations. SEGD has been pivotal in leveling the playing field and bringing a measure of continuity to how environmental graphic designers apply ADA regulations.

There is also a challenge in educating clients about the need for and the value and of the accessibility standards.  Adhering to ADA mandates can be very complicated and expensive in implementation and the penalties severe for those who choose to ignore them.

DPTBLCB:

Do these guidelines force you to utilize special materials to build your programs?

Keyser:

Linda, another great question. The simple answer is yes. While there are a multitude of materials that can be selected, some lend themselves better to ADA compliance than other – especially in creating tactile copy and Braille. Budgets play a significant  role in the choice of materials. Fortunately the fabrication world recognizes the challenges and  every year new products/materials are introduced that lend themselves well to our design needs and not only allow easier compliance but ensure our design solutions integrate well with their context.

DPTBLCB:

Who builds your programs and do they need to be aware of these guidelines?

Keyser:

We rely on a great group of fabrication partners. And yes, it is important for our partners to understand ADA and its impact on the design solutions. We often depend on their  collaboration during the design process to provide input on unique materials that will  meet reflectivity or tactile requirements. Their knowledge of ADA is equally crucial to the design process.

DPTBLCB:

Dickson, thank you for taking the time to add to this article, it has been enlightening.

Keyser:

Linda, anytime. I appreciate you reaching out to GNU for our perspective. Good luck with the article.