With a guide to ADA for restaurants, owners can learn their responsibilities to employees and customers with disabilities, what they need to do to their restaurant website to ensure it is ADA-compliant, and how to implement those solutions simply.

A website owner seeking to learn more about web accessibility will find the information presented within this helpful guide. All web accessibility topics are presented in the simplest possible terms, and technical elements are explained in plain language. If litigation happens, this guide won’t be used. It has no legal bearing.

Your restaurant must prioritize inclusivity to reach its full potential. This includes creating a welcoming atmosphere, using quality ingredients, and providing top-tier service and equal access to goods and facilities. It is essential to remember that this applies to your staff as well – individuals with disabilities should have the opportunity to work and contribute to your restaurant’s success, just like any other employee. While it is a moral responsibility for all organizations, restaurants are also legally obligated under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to accommodate both employees and customers with disabilities by adjusting both facilities and policies.

What elements of a restaurant must be addressed to ensure full compliance with the ADA?

In this guide, we’ll discuss why restaurants must be ADA-compliant, the available tax deductions for compliance, and how to ensure your restaurant and website are ADA-compliant.

Key Takeaways: A Guide to ADA Compliance for Restaurants

• Restaurants, like other businesses designated as “public accommodations,” must adhere to the Americans with Disabilities Act.
• As a restaurant owner, you must ensure that your establishment and website provide necessary accommodations for individuals with disabilities in terms of employment opportunities and dining experiences.
• You must also ensure your website is accessible to people with various disabilities.
• This involves meeting the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) at Level AA, which includes implementing various technical and design-based elements such as adding alt text to images, video captions, keyboard-only navigation, and compatibility with assistive technology like screen readers.

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal law that prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in the public sphere. Enacted in 1990, the ADA aims to ensure equal access and opportunities for the disability community when it comes to:

• Employment
• Transportation
• Communication
• Public places of accommodation
• Access to public services

Do restaurants have to comply with the ADA?

ADA Title III is the section of the Americans with Disabilities Act that addresses how businesses serve customers and applies to companies considered “public accommodations.”

Restaurants fall under this category.

Under‌ the ADA, restaurants must accommodate employees and customers with disabilities. To cater to customers with disabilities, restaurants are expected to:

• Remove physical barriers like high thresholds or narrow doorways
• Provide adequate lighting and signage
• Offer accessible seating options
• Have a well-trained staff that can assist with special needs
• Relay menu information in a variety of alternative ways to people with low or no vision (e.g., providing menus in large print or braille)

This is a partial list of requirements.

To support employees with disabilities, restaurants are expected to:

• Offer flexible scheduling and accommodations for employees with disabilities
• Restructure jobs by delegating minor tasks to other employees
• Provide the option of alternative formats to inaccessible printed materials

This is a partial list of requirements.

Today, U.S. courts apply the ADA to online domains. This means your restaurant website must be accessible to people with disabilities. We will cover this in further detail later in the blog. If you’d like to skip to that section now, click here.

How to ensure your restaurant is ADA-compliant

Under the ADA, restaurant owners have two responsibilities toward people with disabilities: Ensuring equal access to goods and services and making proper accommodations for employees with disabilities.

Adjustments within your establishment and its surroundings must comply with ADA requirements and provide an equitable dining experience for individuals with disabilities. This includes ensuring that seating, tables, and counters are accessible. Incorporating movable tables can make maneuvering easier for patrons with disabilities. Additionally, providing accessible seating with sufficient knee and toe clearance for wheelchair users is crucial.

ADA-Compliant Accessibility Solutions for Restaurants

A variety of accessibility solutions are available to help restaurants meet ADA requirements and ensure all guests and employees can navigate the space safely and comfortably. Some of the most effective options include:

• Aluminum ramps and walkways: Durable ramps can be installed at both primary and secondary entrances to accommodate wheelchairs, walkers, and patrons with limited mobility. These ramps should feature slip-resistant surfaces and sturdy handrails to maximize safety during all weather conditions.
• Accessible stairs and handrails: When stairs are necessary, select designs with non-slip treads and secure handrails on both sides to provide additional stability for customers and staff with mobility challenges.
• Flexible platforms and landings: Platforms can be added to create level transitions between different floor heights or outdoor spaces. Ensuring landing spaces are wide and unobstructed further facilitates movement for wheelchair users and those with service animals.
• Customization to fit your space: ADA-compliant solutions aren’t one-size-fits-all. Most providers offer a range of lengths, widths, and configurations so you can tailor each accessibility feature to your restaurant’s layout, whether it’s a cozy storefront or a larger venue with multiple entry points.
• Emergency accessibility considerations: Durable, well-designed ramps, stairs, and clear pathways facilitate smooth access for emergency personnel, providing peace of mind in critical situations.

By integrating these practical solutions, you’ll not only help your restaurant comply with ADA standards but also foster a more inclusive environment where everyone—guests, staff, and service providers—can enjoy a seamless experience.

Seating and Table Accessibility

• At least 5% of your restaurant’s tables should be ADA-compliant. If you have fewer than 20 tables, at least one must be accessible for wheelchair users.
• Tables should be no higher than 34 inches and no lower than 28 inches from the floor, with a minimum of 27 inches of knee clearance underneath and at least 19 inches of depth for knees.
• Ensure a clear floor area of at least 30 by 48 inches at accessible seating locations to accommodate wheelchairs comfortably.
• Maintain a minimum of 36 inches of clear space between tables and along pathways, allowing for easy navigation throughout the dining area.
• Use chairs and tables that can be moved or rearranged to serve better guests who need additional space or specific accommodations.

By proactively addressing these details, your restaurant not only complies with ADA regulations but also fosters an inclusive, welcoming environment for all guests.

Provide accessible bathrooms: Consider accessibility when designing a restaurant bathroom. Features such as accessible sinks, toilets, grab bars, and clear floor space are essential for accommodating people with disabilities during their visit.

To go a step further, ensure your restrooms are easy for all guests to find and use:

• Add clear signage so customers know which restroom to use.
• Lower door handles—opt for loops or levers—to make entry and exit simple for everyone.
• Rearrange or remove obstructions that could block access for wheelchair users.
• Make sure there is enough space in both the restroom and stalls for a wheelchair to turn and move freely.
• Install sturdy handrails in the toilet stall to help prevent falls and assist those who need extra support.
• Choose sinks that are no higher than 34 inches, with at least 27 inches of knee clearance underneath.
• Consider paddle-handled or lever-style faucets, or, at a minimum, ensure faucets can be operated with one hand and don’t require tight gripping or twisting.
• If the toilet seat is too low, add a raised seat for easier transfers.
• Lower mirrors so they’re usable for guests of all heights and abilities.

These thoughtful touches help make your space welcoming and comfortable for every guest.

Outdoor seating: Pathways and sidewalks must be level, unobstructed, and large enough to accommodate wheelchairs, as they are for indoor tables.

Install ramps: Restaurants must provide ramps or other accessible means of access for people who use wheelchairs. Ensure these ramps meet specific slope and handrail requirements.

To make entrances truly accessible, pay close attention to the following details:

• Curb cuts: Install one curb cut to access and exit the parking lot and another leading up to the ramp.
• Ramp dimensions: The ramp should be at least 36 inches wide and flush with the ground, with a slope of no more than 2%.
• Handrails: If the ramp is longer than six feet, secure handrails are required. These should be between 30 and 38 inches high for safety and usability.
• Nonslip surfaces: Choose ramp materials that provide traction, even in wet weather.
• Landing space: The landing area must extend at least 18 inches beyond the door and be at least 60 inches from the door to allow easy maneuvering.
• Alternative solutions: If a ramp isn’t feasible for every entrance, provide an alternative such as a lift to ensure all customers and employees can get in and out comfortably.

By focusing on these specifics for both outdoor seating and entryways, you’ll help create a space that everyone can enjoy—without barriers.

ADA Guidelines for Stair Design in Restaurants: ADA compliance for stairs goes well beyond simply providing access—it’s about making every step safe and welcoming for all. Both interior and exterior stairs within your restaurant must adhere to specific standards to ensure accessibility:

• Uniform Step Dimensions: Each riser (the vertical part of a step) should have a consistent height, generally between 4 and 7 inches, to help all guests—especially those with mobility impairments—navigate the stairs safely.
• Handrails on Both Sides: Proper handrails are essential. Handrails must be installed on both sides of the staircase and should extend at least 12 inches beyond the top and bottom steps to aid stability and facilitate easy entry and exit.
• Handrail Design: While handrails can be circular or non-circular in cross-section, their edges need to be rounded to allow a secure, comfortable grip for all users, including people with limited hand strength. The design must also ensure sufficient clearance from the wall to maintain a firm grasp.
• Surface Safety: Stairs should feature slip-resistant surfaces to reduce the risk of accidents, particularly in busy restaurant environments where spills can occur.
• Consistent Handrail Extensions: Handrails must extend in the same direction as the stairs, making transitions smoother for individuals who rely on them for balance.

Adhering to these requirements isn’t just about compliance—it helps create a safer dining environment for everyone, including those who use mobility aids or have limited mobility. When your stairs are appropriately designed and maintained, your entire establishment becomes more accessible and inviting for all guests.

Accessible parking: People who cannot walk long distances should be able to access your restaurant easily from accessible parking. To help everyone get in and out safely, ensure these spaces are located near your entrance and feature wide, clearly marked spots—at least eight feet wide for vans —with an additional eight-foot access aisle beside them so wheelchairs can maneuver easily. One in every 25 parking spaces should be reserved for accessible parking, and the parking area should be flat, with a gentle slope of no more than 2%. Don’t forget clear signage to remind everyone to leave these spaces open for those who need them.

Create and enforce a pet service policy: As long as their service animals remain under the handler’s control, people with disabilities may enter all restaurant areas where customers are typically permitted. Under Titles II and III of the ADA, certified “service animals”  only are recognized as service animals. To provide a positive dining experience for all patrons, restaurants must comply with these critical customer accessibility requirements.

Why Aluminum Stands Out for Accessible Ramps and Walkways

Choosing the right material for ramps, stairs, and walkways in your restaurant is essential—not just for compliance, but for lasting safety and ease of use. Aluminum is often the front-runner in accessible design, and for good reason.

To start, aluminum offers an outstanding strength-to-weight ratio. This means that while it can support heavy loads (including wheelchairs and mobility aids), it’s much lighter than traditional materials such as steel. The lighter weight makes installation, adjustments, or temporary modifications more manageable—no heavy lifting required.

But aluminum’s benefits don’t stop there. Its natural resistance to rust and corrosion means that access ramps and walkways stay safe and visually appealing with minimal maintenance, even in outdoor settings or regions prone to rain and humidity. This durability saves time and money over the long term and ensures reliable access year-round.

Safety is another win for aluminum. Most aluminum access products feature high-traction, non-slip surfaces. This critical detail helps reduce the risk of slips and falls in wet or otherwise challenging weather, directly supporting your ongoing commitment to customer safety.

By choosing aluminum for accessible features, you also gain peace of mind knowing that these structures are designed for both longevity and everyday convenience—whether you’re accommodating a temporary need or planning for long-term accessibility improvements.

ADA-Compliant Accessibility Solutions for Restaurants 

A variety of accessibility solutions are available to help restaurants meet ADA requirements and ensure all guests and employees can navigate the space safely and comfortably. Some of the most effective options include:

• Aluminum ramps and walkways: Durable ramps can be installed at both primary and secondary entrances to accommodate wheelchairs, walkers, and patrons with limited mobility. These ramps should feature slip-resistant surfaces and sturdy handrails to maximize safety during all weather conditions.
• Accessible stairs and handrails: Where stairs are necessary, selecting those designed with non-slip treads and secure handrails on both sides offers additional stability for customers and staff with mobility challenges.
• Flexible platforms and landings: Platforms can be added to create level transitions between different floor heights or outdoor spaces. Ensuring landing spaces are wide and unobstructed further facilitates movement for wheelchair users and those with service animals.
• Customization to fit your space: ADA -compliant solutions aren’t one-size-fits-all. Most providers offer a range of lengths, widths, and configurations so you can tailor each accessibility feature to your restaurant’s layout, whether it’s a cozy storefront or a larger venue with multiple entry points.
• Emergency accessibility considerations: Durable and well-designed ramps, stairs, and clear pathways also facilitate smooth access for emergency personnel, providing peace of mind in critical situations.

By integrating these practical solutions, you’ll not only help your restaurant comply with ADA standards but also foster a more inclusive environment where everyone—guests, staff, and service providers—can enjoy a seamless experience.

ADA-Compliant Doors: What to Know

Doors—including main entrances, exits, and restroom access—must be designed for easy navigation by all guests and staff, including those with disabilities. When updating doors for ADA compliance, keep these requirements in mind:

• Clear passage: Ensure doorways are a minimum of 36 inches wide to accommodate wheelchairs and walkers.
• Obstacle-free access: Remove potential tripping hazards near doors, such as loose mats or decorative items like potted plants.
• Accessible hardware: Install lever-style or loop handles instead of round knobs, making doors easier to open for individuals with limited grip strength.
• Automatic and power-assisted options: Where possible, consider adding automatic or power-assisted doors for smoother, independent access.
• Door swing and operation: Use easily operated doors with accessible hinges. If your entrance features a revolving door or turnstile, provide an alternate accessible route nearby.

These adjustments help ensure that everyone—from customers to employees—can enter, exit, and use restrooms with confidence and comfort.

ADA compliance responsibilities as an employer

Restaurant owners must adopt a holistic approach to accessibility, starting with hiring procedures that support employees with disabilities. The following are three key areas.

1. Equal opportunity:  Individuals with disabilities should be granted equal employment opportunities, including fair consideration for all available positions and access to the hiring process. As a restaurant owner, you must provide reasonable accommodations during the hiring process, which may include offering alternative application methods. Note that not all disabilities are visible during an interview. Additionally, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission states that inquiring about disabilities or impairments before a conditional job offer is unlawful.
2. Reasonable Accommodations: Owners of restaurants must provide reasonable accommodations for employees with disabilities. These accommodations may include:
   1. Adjusting workspaces to make them more ergonomic
   2. Modifying work schedules and being open to part-time hours
   3. Providing assistive devices or services
   4. Bending traditional company rules within reason, as necessary
3. Provide accessible training programs: Restaurant owners should accommodate disabled customers by training their wait staff and general employees. Employees at a restaurant should be instructed on how to foster a welcoming atmosphere for all customers with disabilities, including:
   1. Serving straws to customers with motor impairments who may need them to consume their drinks.
   2. If the restaurant has low lighting, offer flashlights to patrons with low vision.
   3. Reading the menu to customers with cognitive or vision impairments.

ADA compliance for your restaurant website

According to the Department of Justice (DOJ), businesses like restaurants must make their websites accessible to people with disabilities under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 defines the minimum requirements for accessible restaurant websites. Created by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C), WCAG is widely regarded as the most influential set of standards shaping global web accessibility policy.

There have been many WCAG iterations throughout the years: WCAG 2.0 was released in 2008, WCAG 2.1 in 2018, and WCAG 2.2 in 2023.

WCAG 2.0, 2.1, and 2.2 have three levels you can conform to:

• Level A: The minimum level of conformance
• Level AA: The most commonly sought-after level of WCAG conformance by website owners
• Level AAA: The most challenging level of conformance to achieve

U.S. courts have ordered website owners to sue for non-compliant websites, requiring them to conform to WCAG 2.0 Level AA. A restaurant’s website is unlikely to be sued if it conforms to WCAG 2.1 Level AA.

When a restaurant website conforms to WCAG 2.1 Level AA, it will include the following features:

• Properly structured and labeled forms that website visitors can easily understand, complete, and submit
• Adequate color contrast between text and background: This ensures that people with low vision or color blindness can access content on your website
• Compatibility with screen reader technology: People who have vision impairments rely on these tools to understand your website
• Resizable text: People with disabilities will need to be able to resize text appearing within your website up to 200% without losing functionality or content
• Straightforward and intuitive navigation: Clear headings and links, search functions, and keyboard-accessible drop-down menus ensure an optimal user experience for people with disabilities
• Text alternatives for non-text content: This will allow people with vision and hearing impairments to access videos, audio, and meaningful images (i.e., the kind that provide additional context to your content)

Note that this is a partial list of website elements you must address to comply with WCAG 2.1 fully.

Click here to get a free website scan to determine whether your site is in or out of compliance. Then, contact us to install the AI-driven widget to keep your site compliant.

ADA compliance for restaurants’ online documents

ADA website compliance applies to all areas of your website, including online documents. You must make PDFs and Microsoft Office files (for example, Word documents) accessible to people with disabilities. Adobe Acrobat, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint all offer features to test whether online documents are accessible.

Document remediation projects aim to ensure screen readers can read online files.

By failing to comply with ADA guidelines, restaurant websites expose themselves to potential legal action, including demand letters and lawsuits. This was highlighted in 2022, when the Supreme Court ruled in favor of a blind man who sued Domino’s for failing to make its website and mobile app accessible to screen readers. The judge emphasized that the lack of accessibility on these platforms hinders individuals from accessing goods and services offered by physical locations, which are considered public accommodations.

The Benefits of ADA Compliance

Ensuring ADA compliance embraces the values of equal opportunities for individuals with disabilities. It is a fundamental entitlement for everyone to work at and enjoy the services of a restaurant, regardless of their abilities.

The majority of Americans support it.

According to a recent study, most American adults (89%) believe businesses should cater to all customers. As a restaurant owner, you must understand that your patrons expect you to be inclusive and accommodating towards individuals with disabilities. It is worth noting that the disability community holds considerable spending power. Ensuring ADA compliance in your restaurant can significantly expand your customer base. Furthermore, complying with the ADA regulations promotes inclusivity and helps avoid legal consequences and hefty fines for non-compliance. Failing to adhere to these guidelines could result in demand letters and even lawsuits, which can severely damage your establishment’s reputation.

Tax Deductions and Credit for ADA Compliance

Businesses can claim a tax deduction of up to $15,000 annually for expenses incurred to remove physical, structural, and transportation barriers in their restaurants.

Additionally, restaurants with fewer than 30 employees or a total annual revenue of up to $1 million may apply for a tax credit of up to $5,000 for eligible access expenditures.  These expenditures include, but are not limited to,

• Investing in web accessibility solutions and tools that optimize restaurant websites
• Removing architectural barriers in a dining facility
• Producing accessible formatting on printed materials like menus
• Buying adaptive equipment
• Hiring a sign language interpreter

Tip: Consult with a tax professional to determine if your specific expenses qualify for these deductions and to ensure you’re taking advantage of all the available benefits.

If you need restaurant consulting, contact Eddie at A2Z Restaurant Consulting.

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