Accessible Outdoor Patio Guidelines
Best practices for ensuring new patios meet the intent of the Accessible Canada Act, Human Rights Code and AODA or AMA.
By: DesignAble Environments
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 design guidelines 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.
Details
Estimated budget: Ideally, this design idea will use already available materials with the exception of costs associated with temporary curb ramp installations. This cost varies by case especially since many municipalities are providing free temporary curb ramp options to restaurants developing outdoor patios.
Materials and fabrication: Ideally, this design idea will use already available materials but is reliant on municipal rules regarding outdoor patio fabrication.
Installation and other services: The installation and provision of services related to this design idea is negligible since it encourages innovative and reflective design thinking in relation to outdoor spaces. We bring accessibility to the forefront in the physical aspect of an outdoor patio and mention the positive impacts of additional accessibility measures such as hearing loops and large-print menus.
Contact
For more information, email the primary contact for this submission.