ADA Braille and Guide Signs → ADA Truncated Dome Pads

ADA Pads

Have you noticed? There's something going on right under your feet. You can see it at the mall, or out on the train platform, or even at the corner of any busy street. What are those bumpy yellow pads set into the concrete? Technically, they are called ADA Truncated Dome Pads. But most people, even people like us who sell them, just call them ADA Pads or Tactile Indicators. Okay, so why are you seeing them in more and more places? What is the purpose of an ADA Pad? Read More

While the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) was passed in 1990, a ten-year exemption was made to study the feasibility of using detectible warning surfaces on streets. Since July 26, 2001, ADA Pads (also called Truncated Dome pads,Tactile Ground Surface Indicators, or detectable warning surfaces) have been mandated for new construction and alterations. The ADA Accessibility Guidelines (ADAAG) requires detectible warnings on the surface of curb ramps and at other areas where pedestrian paths blend with or cross vehicular ways. ADA Compliant Pads are being installed on more and more footpaths, stairs, along train station platforms and sidewalks, as well as in public parking areas. While the purpose of ADA Pads or Tactile Indicators is for the domes to be detectable by cane or underfoot and to alert people with vision impairments of their approach to streets and hazardous drop-offs, many people consider the ADA Compliant Pad to be an imperfect solution at best. And at worst, a growing number of citizens and mobility experts insist ADA Dome Pads are creating more problems than they are solving.

Whether you consider the ADA Pad to be a good thing or not, if you're a property or business owner, you may well be required to install tactile indicators to bring your property or business into compliance with local, state and Federal ADA laws. There are two basic types of ADA Pads. Cast-in-place ADA Pads can only be installed when concrete is being poured. Retro-fit ADA Pads (also called surface mount ADA Pads) can be installed on top of finished concrete, using strong adhesive and anchoring bolts.

We sell both cast-in-place and retro-fit ADA Compliant Pads at STOP Signs And More. So if the time comes when you need to purchase ADA Truncated Dome Pads, you can rely on our third-generation family-owned business. The links below provide more information on the ADA Dome Pads we sell, including their use, how they are made, and how both the cast-in-place ADA Pads and the retro-fit Dome Pads are installed. And remember, if you want to really impress your friends, next time you hear somebody ask, "Hey, what are all these funny yellow bumpy things?" You can reply, "Well, my friend, those are ADA Compliant Tactile Ground Surface Indicators."

Click here to view or print our ADA Truncated Dome Pad Guidelines
Click here to view or print our ADA Truncated Dome Pad Product Sheet
Click here to view or print our ADA Cast-in-place Truncated Dome Pad Installation Instructions
Click here to view or print our ADA Surface Mount Truncated Dome Pad installation instructions