Creating accessible permanent and temporary outdoor patios for restaurants and bars.
How to Create an Accessible Outdoor Patio (COVID-19)
Published on June 19, 2020.
Part of reopening our economy is rethinking how we use public spaces. We’re seeing expansion of restaurant, café and bar patios onto sidewalks and into the streets and parking spaces. If we are redesigning, let’s fix the old barriers and Human Rights violations while we’re at it.
The staff at DE is in a unique position to be aware of a multitude of great accessibility standards that consider a wide variety of accessibility accommodations for different disabilities. With over 6.2 million Canadians reporting they have had at least one type of disability and with over 1,000 Canadians a day turning 65 with a disability rate of 40%, we know these patios will want to welcome as many customers as possible!
The following are some of the best list of things to help these patios meet the intent of the Accessible Canada Act, Human Rights Code and AODA or AMA requirements. Following these will help, but it is still the responsibility of those creating patios to do everything they can to meet the legislative requirements of the Human Rights Code. We recommend speaking with your disabled patrons to see what other accommodations might be necessary. #NothingWithoutUs.
Where patios are provided, consider options for different levels of sun and wind protection, sound and atmosphere distractions and lighting. This is of benefit to individuals with varying tolerances for sun or heat, as well as people with sensory disabilities. Appropriate lighting levels ensure that the pathways, menus, and payment procedures are easy to access. Thresholds at the patio and ordering/payment stations should always be level and accessible to the pathway.
The following items cover topics not included with any greater detail in the rest of this page:
Patios must be located on an accessible route or path
Guards and railings must be designed to allow clear vision below the rail for persons seated in a wheelchair or scooter
Guards and railings must incorporate pronounced colour contrast to distinguish the railings from the guards and the guards separating the patio from the street or sidewalk. Railings must be distinct from the surrounding environment to ease navigation around the patio and avoid obstructions of furniture
Exterior paths of travel must not be obstructed
Accessible parking must be in proximity to patios, but patios must not obstruct accessible parking - off-street and on-street
Sanitizing and washing facilities must be on an accessible path and be within operable reach for people using wheelchairs or scooters
Where a washroom is not available on the first floor or in a COVID-19 safe location, at least one accessible port-a-potty must be provided. See more about Universal Washrooms
Accessible signage must indicate seating areas, paths, washrooms, and payment/assistance counters. See more about Accessible Signage
2. Path of Travel Design Requirements
Accessible sidewalks or walkways support the diverse needs of people of all abilities. Firm, stable and slip-resistant surfaces with appropriate widths, passing areas, and slopes must be free of obstructive furniture or hazards. Accessible paths must be illuminated and clearly contrasted with surrounding surfaces.
The primary path of travel to all services and facilities is to be accessible and must be level or provide a ramp. See more about
Ramps
Thresholds must be flush with pathway and any elevation must be colour contrasted
Where it is not possible to provide a path that is at least 1830mm wide which would allow wheelchairs or mobility devices to comfortably pass, the sidewalk or walkway must be at least 1370mm wide for accessibility.
Note: for COVID-19, paths of travel will need to be wider to adhere to social-distancing measures
The patio surface must be a different colour and, if possible, a different texture to any sidewalk or pathway that runs beside it to make it distinct and easy to identify
Where there is a step between different levels in an adjacent inaccessible route, the top edge of the step or curb must be a contrasting colour to reduce the hazard of tripping
All portions of an accessible route must be equipped with adequate lighting to provide a minimum level of illumination of 50 lux
Figure 1: Clear path to turn around an obstacle must be 1100 mm minimum wide. Source: Mississauga FADS.
3. Seating Area Design Requirements
Tables with knee and toe space underneath are accessible to a person using a wheelchair or seated mobility device. An accessible path leading to a firm, level surface around the table, is required for mobility accessibility. A change in texture from a pathway to the table area is an important cue for a person who is blind. Tables that have the support leg(s) in the centre of the table provide a higher level of accessibility. Be wary of pedestal tables since they reduce clear knee space under a table surface. Seating must comply with the following:
100% of all seating must be accessible. Where this is not technically feasible, at least 20% and never less than 1 table in each seating area (if more than one patio is provided) must be accessible
Customers and staff must be able to get to the table by means of an accessible route without blocking the accessible route
The space around the table must have a level, firm ground surface extending minimum 2000 mm on at least two sides of the table for persons who use wheelchairs or other mobility devices and minimum 1220 mm on the other sides
Where height-adjustable tables are not possible, ensure the top surface is located between 810 mm to 865 mm above the finished floor or ground surface
Tables must have knee space underneath that is at least 810 mm wide by 480 mm deep and 685 mm high at each accessible seating space
Chairs and tables must have a contrasting colour to their surrounding area to make them easier to see and find
If patios are outside or music is playing the ambient noise creates a barrier to communication for those who have hearing loss. A portable assistive listening device, like a hearing loop, must be available for servers to use upon request
Lighting at the table must be at least 100 lux at the surface to assist in reading bills or menu where this is technically infeasible a portable light source must be available
Figure 2: Height must be 810 mm minimum and knee space must be 685 mm by 480 mm minimum at accessible tables. Source: Mississauga FADS.Figure 3: Accessible tables must have 2000 mm of firm level ground surrounding it. Source: DesignAble Environments.
4. Service Counter Design Requirements
The AODA requires reception and service counters to be accessible to all visitors, here is how to fulfill that requirement:
Adjustable height counters offer the best flexibility and accessible options for all customers, but where this is not available knee space must be on both sides of the counter below the counter surface
The main service counter must be accessible if alternative heights are desired for other accommodations, they must be provided immediately adjacent to the main service counter
Accessible counter surface height must be between 710 mm and 865 mm above the finished floor or ground
Counter surface width must be at least 920 mm
Counter depth must be no more than 1270 mm
Knee space height must be at least 685 mm
Knee space width must be at least 810 mm
Knee space depth must be at least 480 mm
If there is a physical barrier like plexiglass or glass barriers between the customer and service provider, the acoustics will not be optimal for people with hearing loss. If a speaker port has been provided it must not be higher than 1060 mm above the finished floor or ground. In addition, assistive listening devices at all counters but especially where barriers are provided are necessary. Where a built-in hearing loop system is not technically feasible a portable device/system must be provided. Counters must provide at least one type of Assistive Listening Device at each counter:
Speech Transfer Intercom System with volume controls for both staff and customers - this can be in a counter system or speaking port;
Gooseneck or cordless microphone; or
Telephone system with voice/speech amplification.
Lighting must be at least 300 lux at the counter surface to assist in reading bills or menus and at least 100 lux on the customer and service providers’ face to assist lip-reading
Figure 4: Accessible service counter with clear knee space of 810 mm by 480 mm minimum. Source: Mississauga FADS.
5. Sample Patio Layouts
Here are some sample patio layouts for café’s,bars, and restaurants. Many of the design requirements mentioned above are visually demonstrated in these layouts. Use them as inspiration to make your patio accessible to all visitors!
Café Patio
The café patio layout is recommended for businesses with space on the sidewalk in front of their establishment.Figure 5: Diagram 1 demonstrating an accessible layout for storefront patios. Elements are numbered to correspond with a detailed legend of 12 different elements. Source: DesignAble Environments.
Legend:
Flat, flush entrance or temporary curb ramp i.e. StopGap;
One-way entrance or exit;
Accessible signage with directions and information;
Clear space in front of push door operator;
Accessible entrance into restaurant;
Clear space in front of hand sanitizer;
Mobility scooter parking space;
Cane detectable physical barrier;
Table with appropriate knee and toe space or height adjustable;
Physical distance between patrons 2 metres wide;
Ambient lighting illuminating routes, service and seating areas;
Unobstructed sidewalk
Bar Patio
The bar patio layout is recommended for businesses with space in a closed curb lane approved by local municipal authority.Figure 6: Diagram 2 demonstrating an accessible layout for a built-up level or street-level patio in a closed lane or parking spot. Elements are numbered to correspond with a detailed legend of 16 different elements. Source: DesignAble Environments.
Legend:
Flat, flush entrance or temporary curb ramp i.e. StopGap;
One-way entrance or exit;
Accessible signage with directions and information;
Reception, service or payment counter;
Accessible signage with directions and information;
Pedestrian access aisle;
Cane detectable physical barrier;
Cane detectable sound and privacy barrier;
One-way accessible route 1.1 metres wide;
Mobility device turn space 1.5 metre diameter;
Clear space in front of hand sanitizer;
Mobility scooter parking space;
Table with appropriate knee and toe space or height adjustable;
Physical distance between patrons 2 metres wide;
Ambient lighting illuminating routes, service and seating areas;
Unobstructed sidewalk
Restaurant Patio
The restaurant patio layout is recommended for businesses with space in a parking lot or expanded onto a closed street as approved by local municipal authority.Figure 7: Diagram 3 demonstrating an accessible layout for a patio in a re-purposed parking lot or a closed street. Elements are numbered to correspond with a detailed legend of 16 different elements. Source: DesignAble Environments.
