--- title: Importance Of Creating Accessibility In A Restaurants - GTK description: As a restaurant owner, you want to make sure your business is open to everyone, and that means ensuring you have a restaurant that is accessible for everybody! image: https://blog.gtk.com.au/hubfs/resturaunt.jpg --- [1300 485 485](Tel:1300485485) [![GTK](https://blog.gtk.com.au/hubfs/GTK_October2018-Theme/Images/logo.jpg)](https://gtk.com.au/) [![ndis](https://blog.gtk.com.au/hubfs/GTK_October2018-Theme/Images/NDIS_logo_v2.jpg)](https://gtk.com.au/gtk-and-the-ndis) - [Home](https://gtk.com.au/) - [Products](https://gtk.com.au/products/) - [Manual wheelchairs](https://gtk.com.au/product-category/manual-wheelchairs/) - [Rigid Frame](https://gtk.com.au/disability-equipments/manual-wheelchairs/rigid-frame/) - [Folding frame](https://gtk.com.au/disability-equipments/manual-wheelchairs/folding-frame/) - [Tilt in space](https://gtk.com.au/disability-equipments/manual-wheelchairs/tilt-in-space/) - [Power Assist Devices](https://gtk.com.au/disability-equipments/manual-wheelchairs/power-assist-devices/) - [Paediatric Manual Wheelchairs](https://gtk.com.au/disability-equipments/manual-wheelchairs/paediatric-manual-wheelchairs/) - [Off the Shelf manual wheelchairs](https://gtk.com.au/disability-equipments/manual-wheelchairs/off-the-shelf-manual-wheelchairs/) - [Sport and Recreation wheelchairs](https://gtk.com.au/disability-equipments/manual-wheelchairs/sport-and-recreation-wheelchairs/) - [Manual Wheelchair Accessories](https://gtk.com.au/disability-equipments/wheelchair-accessories/manual-wheelchairs-accessories/) - [Manual Wheelchair Parts](https://gtk.com.au/disability-equipments/wheelchair-accessories/manual-wheelchair-parts/) - [Powered Wheelchairs](https://gtk.com.au/product-category/power-wheelchairs/) - [Front wheel drive](https://gtk.com.au/disability-equipments/powered-wheelchairs/front-wheel-drive/) - [Centre wheel drive](https://gtk.com.au/disability-equipments/powered-wheelchairs/centre-wheel-drive/) - [Rear wheel drive](https://gtk.com.au/disability-equipments/powered-wheelchairs/rear-wheel-drive/) - [Off Road Power Wheelchairs](https://gtk.com.au/disability-equipments/powered-wheelchairs/off-road-wheelchairs/) - [Paediatric Power Wheelchairs](https://gtk.com.au/disability-equipments/powered-wheelchairs/paediatric-power/) - [Electronics and Drive Controls](https://gtk.com.au/disability-equipments/wheelchair-accessories/electronics/) - [Power Wheelchair Accessories](https://gtk.com.au/disability-equipments/wheelchair-accessories/power-wheelchair-accessories/) - [Power Wheelchair Parts](https://gtk.com.au/disability-equipments/wheelchair-accessories/parts-powered-wheelchairs/) - [Seating and Positioning](https://gtk.com.au/product-category/seating-and-positioning/) - [Cushions](https://gtk.com.au/disability-equipments/seating-and-positioning/cushions/) - [Backrests](https://gtk.com.au/disability-equipments/seating-and-positioning/backrests/) - [Seating systems](https://gtk.com.au/disability-equipments/seating-and-positioning/seating-systems/) - [Headrests](https://gtk.com.au/disability-equipments/seating-and-positioning/headrests/) - [Belts and harnesses](https://gtk.com.au/disability-equipments/seating-and-positioning/belts-and-harnesses/) - [Seating Accessories](https://gtk.com.au/disability-equipments/seating-and-positioning/seating-accessories/) - [Seating Parts](https://gtk.com.au/disability-equipments/seating-and-positioning/seating-parts/) - [Strollers](https://gtk.com.au/product-category/strollers/) - [In the home](https://gtk.com.au/product-category/in-the-home/) - [Alternative seating and 24hr positioning](https://gtk.com.au/disability-equipments/in-the-home/alternative-seating-and-24hr-positioning/) - [Beds](https://gtk.com.au/disability-equipments/in-the-home/beds/) - [Commodes and shower chairs](https://gtk.com.au/disability-equipments/in-the-home/commodes-and-shower-chairs/) - [Hoists and slings](https://gtk.com.au/disability-equipments/in-the-home/hoists-and-slings/) - [Mattresses](https://gtk.com.au/disability-equipments/in-the-home/mattresses/) - [Standing frames](https://gtk.com.au/product-category/standing-frames/) - [Walking frames](https://gtk.com.au/product-category/walking-frames/) - [Transport and access](https://gtk.com.au/product-category/transport-and-access/) - [Car seats](https://gtk.com.au/disability-equipments/transport-and-access/car-seats/) - [Ramps](https://gtk.com.au/disability-equipments/transport-and-access/ramps/) - [Online Store](https://gtk.com.au/disability-equipments/online-store/) - [About Us](https://gtk.com.au/about-us/) - [Resources](https://gtk.com.au/about-us/#) - [GTK and the NDIS](https://gtk.com.au/gtk-and-the-ndis/) - [GTK blog](https://gtk.com.au/blog/) - [Events](https://gtk.com.au/event/) - [Contact Us](https://gtk.com.au/contact-us/) - [Referral/Assessment Form](https://gtk.com.au/referral-assessment-form/) - [Service Enquiry Form](https://gtk.com.au/service-enquiry-form/) - Search - [Home](https://gtk.com.au/) - [Products](https://gtk.com.au/products/) - [Manual wheelchairs](https://gtk.com.au/product-category/manual-wheelchairs/) - [Rigid Frame](https://gtk.com.au/disability-equipments/manual-wheelchairs/rigid-frame/) - [Folding frame](https://gtk.com.au/disability-equipments/manual-wheelchairs/folding-frame/) - [Tilt in space](https://gtk.com.au/disability-equipments/manual-wheelchairs/tilt-in-space/) - [Power Assist Devices](https://gtk.com.au/disability-equipments/manual-wheelchairs/power-assist-devices/) - [Paediatric Manual Wheelchairs](https://gtk.com.au/disability-equipments/manual-wheelchairs/paediatric-manual-wheelchairs/) - [Off the Shelf manual wheelchairs](https://gtk.com.au/disability-equipments/manual-wheelchairs/off-the-shelf-manual-wheelchairs/) - [Sport and Recreation wheelchairs](https://gtk.com.au/disability-equipments/manual-wheelchairs/sport-and-recreation-wheelchairs/) - [Manual Wheelchair Accessories](https://gtk.com.au/disability-equipments/wheelchair-accessories/manual-wheelchairs-accessories/) - [Manual Wheelchair Parts](https://gtk.com.au/disability-equipments/wheelchair-accessories/manual-wheelchair-parts/) - [Powered Wheelchairs](https://gtk.com.au/product-category/power-wheelchairs/) - [Front wheel drive](https://gtk.com.au/disability-equipments/powered-wheelchairs/front-wheel-drive/) - [Centre wheel drive](https://gtk.com.au/disability-equipments/powered-wheelchairs/centre-wheel-drive/) - [Rear wheel drive](https://gtk.com.au/disability-equipments/powered-wheelchairs/rear-wheel-drive/) - [Off Road Power Wheelchairs](https://gtk.com.au/disability-equipments/powered-wheelchairs/off-road-wheelchairs/) - [Paediatric Power Wheelchairs](https://gtk.com.au/disability-equipments/powered-wheelchairs/paediatric-power/) - [Electronics and Drive Controls](https://gtk.com.au/disability-equipments/wheelchair-accessories/electronics/) - [Power Wheelchair Accessories](https://gtk.com.au/disability-equipments/wheelchair-accessories/power-wheelchair-accessories/) - [Power Wheelchair Parts](https://gtk.com.au/disability-equipments/wheelchair-accessories/parts-powered-wheelchairs/) - [Seating and Positioning](https://gtk.com.au/product-category/seating-and-positioning/) - [Cushions](https://gtk.com.au/disability-equipments/seating-and-positioning/cushions/) - [Backrests](https://gtk.com.au/disability-equipments/seating-and-positioning/backrests/) - [Seating systems](https://gtk.com.au/disability-equipments/seating-and-positioning/seating-systems/) - [Headrests](https://gtk.com.au/disability-equipments/seating-and-positioning/headrests/) - [Belts and harnesses](https://gtk.com.au/disability-equipments/seating-and-positioning/belts-and-harnesses/) - [Seating Accessories](https://gtk.com.au/disability-equipments/seating-and-positioning/seating-accessories/) - [Seating Parts](https://gtk.com.au/disability-equipments/seating-and-positioning/seating-parts/) - [Strollers](https://gtk.com.au/product-category/strollers/) - [In the home](https://gtk.com.au/product-category/in-the-home/) - [Alternative seating and 24hr positioning](https://gtk.com.au/disability-equipments/in-the-home/alternative-seating-and-24hr-positioning/) - [Beds](https://gtk.com.au/disability-equipments/in-the-home/beds/) - [Commodes and shower chairs](https://gtk.com.au/disability-equipments/in-the-home/commodes-and-shower-chairs/) - [Hoists and slings](https://gtk.com.au/disability-equipments/in-the-home/hoists-and-slings/) - [Mattresses](https://gtk.com.au/disability-equipments/in-the-home/mattresses/) - [Standing frames](https://gtk.com.au/product-category/standing-frames/) - [Walking frames](https://gtk.com.au/product-category/walking-frames/) - [Transport and access](https://gtk.com.au/product-category/transport-and-access/) - [Car seats](https://gtk.com.au/disability-equipments/transport-and-access/car-seats/) - [Ramps](https://gtk.com.au/disability-equipments/transport-and-access/ramps/) - [Online Store](https://gtk.com.au/disability-equipments/online-store/) - [About Us](https://gtk.com.au/about-us/) - [Resources](https://gtk.com.au/about-us/#) - [GTK and the NDIS](https://gtk.com.au/gtk-and-the-ndis/) - [GTK blog](https://gtk.com.au/blog/) - [Events](https://gtk.com.au/event/) - [Contact Us](https://gtk.com.au/contact-us/) - [Referral/Assessment Form](https://gtk.com.au/referral-assessment-form/) - [Service Enquiry Form](https://gtk.com.au/service-enquiry-form/) - Search ##### ULTIMATE ACTIVEWEAR # Creating Accessibility in a Restaurant By GTK Oct 8, 2020 [Wheelchair](https://blog.gtk.com.au/tag/wheelchair) [![Man and woman in restourant in a wheelchair](https://blog.gtk.com.au/hubfs/resturaunt.jpg)](https://blog.gtk.com.au/creating-accessibility-in-a-restaurant) Dining out at a restaurant is a treat and who doesn’t want to spend that time eating delicious food, talking with friends and family, and not having to deal with cooking or cleaning up afterwards!? Unfortunately, for many Australians, the idea of going out to dinner at a restaurant causes more stress than it should. Is the restaurant going to have enough space for their wheelchair? Will they be able to take their guide dog? Can they take their mobility scooter right up to the door? As a restaurant owner, you want to make sure your business is open to everyone, and that means ensuring you have a restaurant that is accessible. ## What Is Expected? There are a few factors that must be considered when creating an accessible restaurant. These include the following: **The entry must be accessible.** Restaurants must ensure there are parking spaces close to the front of the building, and that these spaces have plenty of room for wheelchair ramps to be fitted to the side and back of vehicles. It must also include a slight slope and safety rails, and you must remove any bushes or trees that might cause an obstruction. At the entrance, the doors [need to be](https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/House_of_Representatives_Committees?url=laca/disabilitystandards/exhibits/exhibit02.pdf) at least 850mm wide so that [wheelchairs and mobility scooters](https://gtk.com.au/products/) can enter. You should have clear signage and directions where necessary, and all of these signs should also be written in braille. **Seating must be accessible.** If you have counters, they should be lower, without any display items, and any steps should be marked with vibrant colours. If the restaurant has a bar, ensure there is accessible seating space as well – this includes a table that must be at least 800mm wide and at least 750mm high. **Walkways need to be wide enough.** If there is an aisle or walkway, it should be wide enough to fit two wheelchairs, side by side. If the aisle has seating on either side, ensure that seating can be moved, if necessary, to allow space for mobility scooters and wheelchairs to move around freely. **Bathrooms should also be easily accessible by everyone.** All restaurants should have a disability friendly toilet and washroom. It needs to include handrails, low sinks, and you should include braille and raised lettering so the bathroom is easily distinguishable. ## Tips To Enhance Your Accessibility Aside from the factors mentioned above, there are a number of things you can do to ensure your restaurant is open to people of all abilities. The following tips will help you to embrace people from all walks of life, and encourage them to dine at your restaurant. 1. Advertise the fact that you are disability friendly, and wheelchair accessible – do this within your restaurant, on your signage, and also on any marketing material / menus 2. Ensure your staff are trained to deal with people from all backgrounds, and ensure they are friendly and warm to all guests 3. Make the booking system accessible and easy to manage, whether this is done via website, email or telephone – offer a range of options 4. Use easy to read, large print on your signs and menus to cater to people who are living with disabilities and eyesight impairment 5. Open your doors to assistance animals – include water bowls for them and ensure your customers know their assistance pets are welcome 6. Always check on your customers – ensure that they are happy with their meals and check if they need any assistance finding bathrooms, reading the menu, and so on Finally, just ensure you are clear about your restaurant’s accessibility so customers are well aware of your policies and procedures before the dine with you. Read our full guide to accessibility & download our checklist [![Get In Touch With Us](https://hubspot-no-cache-ap1-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/default/4855549/b5649422-c4bd-4a45-ac97-db734c42de8c.png)](https://hubspot-cta-redirect-ap1-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/redirect/4855549/b5649422-c4bd-4a45-ac97-db734c42de8c) Search ### CATEGORIES - [Insider (4)](https://blog.gtk.com.au/tag/insider) - [manual wheelchairs (1)](https://blog.gtk.com.au/tag/manual-wheelchairs) - [Mobility Scooters (1)](https://blog.gtk.com.au/tag/mobility-scooters) - [power wheelchairs (3)](https://blog.gtk.com.au/tag/power-wheelchairs) - [Wheelchair (7)](https://blog.gtk.com.au/tag/wheelchair) ### RECENT POSTS ### TAGS - [Wheelchair (7)](https://blog.gtk.com.au/tag/wheelchair) - [Insider (4)](https://blog.gtk.com.au/tag/insider) - [power wheelchairs (3)](https://blog.gtk.com.au/tag/power-wheelchairs) - [Mobility Scooters (1)](https://blog.gtk.com.au/tag/mobility-scooters) - [manual wheelchairs (1)](https://blog.gtk.com.au/tag/manual-wheelchairs) **GTK** [More by GTK](https://blog.gtk.com.au/author/gtk) Share Tags [Wheelchair](https://blog.gtk.com.au/tag/wheelchair) [![Read](https://blog.gtk.com.au/hubfs/GTK_October2018-Theme/Images/read-icon.png?t=1539529099080)](https://blog.gtk.com.au/creating-accessibility-in-a-restaurant) [![Creating Accessibility in Business](https://blog.gtk.com.au/hs-fs/hubfs/accessibility.jpg?width=720&name=accessibility.jpg)](https://blog.gtk.com.au/creating-accessibility-in-business) Oct122020 ## [Creating Accessibility in Business](https://blog.gtk.com.au/creating-accessibility-in-business) In Australia, 1 in 5 people are living with a disability. And of those 20% (just under 4 million people), 4.4% are in a wheelchair. [Read More](https://blog.gtk.com.au/creating-accessibility-in-business) ![Read](https://blog.gtk.com.au/hubfs/GTK_October2018-Theme/Images/read-icon.png) [![Creating Accessibility in a Service Based Business](https://blog.gtk.com.au/hs-fs/hubfs/service.jpg?width=720&name=service.jpg)](https://blog.gtk.com.au/creating-accessibility-in-a-service-based-business) Oct022020 ## [Creating Accessibility in a Service Based Business](https://blog.gtk.com.au/creating-accessibility-in-a-service-based-business) A service-based business is just as the name suggests - the business owner sells skills rather than a product. This includes a range of business types, from plumbers and electricians, through to... [Read More](https://blog.gtk.com.au/creating-accessibility-in-a-service-based-business) ![Read](https://blog.gtk.com.au/hubfs/GTK_October2018-Theme/Images/read-icon.png) [![The position of a pelvic belt – the secret is in your hands](https://blog.gtk.com.au/hs-fs/hubfs/The%20position%20of%20a%20pelvic%20belt%20%E2%80%93%20the%20secret%20is%20in%20your%20hands%20image%20(1)-min.jpg?width=720&name=The%20position%20of%20a%20pelvic%20belt%20%E2%80%93%20the%20secret%20is%20in%20your%20hands%20image%20(1)-min.jpg)](https://blog.gtk.com.au/the-position-of-a-pelvic-belt-the-secret-is-in-your-hands) Apr302020 ## [The position of a pelvic belt – the secret is in your hands](https://blog.gtk.com.au/the-position-of-a-pelvic-belt-the-secret-is-in-your-hands) We all know that in seating, pelvic positioning is the key to postural alignment. It dictates the position of the trunk and head and as a result, how we use our extremities to function. Whilst we... [Read More](https://blog.gtk.com.au/the-position-of-a-pelvic-belt-the-secret-is-in-your-hands) ![Read](https://blog.gtk.com.au/hubfs/GTK_October2018-Theme/Images/read-icon.png) [![Starting the Assessment with a Blank Slate](https://blog.gtk.com.au/hs-fs/hubfs/Starting%20the%20assessment%20with%20a%20blank%20slate%20image.jpg?width=720&name=Starting%20the%20assessment%20with%20a%20blank%20slate%20image.jpg)](https://blog.gtk.com.au/starting-the-assessment-with-a-blank-slate) Apr082020 ## [Starting the Assessment with a Blank Slate](https://blog.gtk.com.au/starting-the-assessment-with-a-blank-slate) In our increasingly busy clinical lives, it’s easy to rush through wheelchair and seating assessments, relying on information gleaned from past assessments and solely using the client’s existing... [Read More](https://blog.gtk.com.au/starting-the-assessment-with-a-blank-slate) ![Read](https://blog.gtk.com.au/hubfs/GTK_October2018-Theme/Images/read-icon.png) ### About GTK Because GTK provides more than just mobility, you will be purchasing the Ultimate Activewear. So how active will you be today... ©2017 GTK Privacy Policy ### Follow us - - - ### Newsletter