ADA Compliance FAQ — Signage, Braille, Parking & Penalties

Who must comply with the ADA?

The ADA applies to all "places of public accommodation" under Title III — that's essentially every business open to the public, regardless of size. There is no small-business exemption. Title II additionally covers all state and local government entities. Title I covers employers with 15+ employees.

What signs are required by the ADA?

At minimum: room identification signs (restrooms, exits, permanent rooms) with raised tactile letters and Grade 2 Braille; the International Symbol of Accessibility (ISA) on accessible entrances, parking spaces, and restrooms; directional signs to accessible features; and required parking signs (R7-8, R7-8a). Some signs require specific mounting heights — generally 48"–60" from the floor to the baseline of the tactile letters — and latch-side mounting where applicable. See ADA 703.

Do small businesses really get sued for ADA violations?

Yes — small restaurants, retail stores, medical offices, hotels, and salons account for the majority of ADA lawsuits. Most are filed by private plaintiffs through "drive-by" or "tester" suits in jurisdictions like California, Florida, New York, and Texas. Plaintiff's attorney's fees are recoverable, which is what drives the litigation volume.

What are the fines for non-compliance?

Federal civil penalties under 42 U.S.C. § 12188(b)(2): $75,000 for a first offense, $150,000 for each subsequent offense. State penalties stack — California's Unruh Act adds $4,000 per offense plus attorney's fees, which is why California is the leading jurisdiction for ADA lawsuits.

How much does ADA-compliant signage cost?

A typical small-business signage package — restroom signs with tactile + Braille, accessible-parking signs, ISA placards, exit signs, and main-entrance signage — runs $400–$1,500 depending on the business size and the materials chosen (raster Braille vs. photo polymer vs. cast acrylic). ADACheck's verified sign-shop directory will get you 1–3 quotes for your specific score gap.

What is Grade 2 Braille and is it required?

Grade 2 Braille is the contracted Braille standard required by ADA 703.3.1 on permanent room identification signs. It uses abbreviations and special character combinations rather than letter-by-letter spelling. Vendors must produce Grade 2 specifically — Grade 1 (uncontracted) doesn't meet the standard.

What's the difference between Title I, II, and III?

Title I covers employment discrimination by employers with 15+ employees; Title II covers state and local governments; Title III covers private businesses that serve the public. Most businesses focus on Title III. Public entities (cities, counties, school districts) focus on Title II, which has its own self-evaluation and transition-plan requirements under 28 CFR Part 35.

What is the April 2026 WCAG deadline?

On April 24, 2024, the DOJ issued a Final Rule under § 35.200 setting WCAG 2.1 Level AA as the binding web-accessibility standard for state and local government websites and mobile apps. Entities with populations of 50,000 or more must conform by April 24, 2026. Smaller entities have until April 26, 2027.

How does ADACheck differ from other compliance tools?

Most tools focus on web-only accessibility (SiteImprove, Level Access, etc.). ADACheck includes physical-facility audits (signage, parking, restrooms, entrances) alongside WCAG web scanning. For public entities the Government module produces a combined Title II score that includes program self-evaluation, transition plan, facility audits, and web scanning — the single number your council or board needs.

Is the ADACheck checker really free?

Yes — the checker, score, fix list, and PDF report are free with no account required and no credit card. Optional paid features include saving multiple locations, scheduled re-checks, compliance certificates, team access, and virtual photo audits. See pricing.