ADA Retail Restaurants Regulations

Last Updated on November 15, 2025 by Craig Allen Keefner

ADA Self-Service News

The U.S. Access Board conducted a very in-depth review of accessibility design for retail and restaurants in February 2023.

For more information you can email info@kioskindustry.org – we offer free consulting and advice.

There were several areas of interest we found in the 2-hour webinar, including:

Queues and Waiting Lines
Self service shelves (pickup at Panera?)
Dispensing devices – the usual Coca-Cola and Pepsi machines
Checkout aisles at supermarkets
And of course transaction devices such as POS card readers and kiosks themselves
Great reference is animations on U.S. Access board — here is Operable Parts (which is near and dear to us)

Comments

The most interesting comment we found was the direct commentary on food trucks and how no-one has ever seen one that is compliant with ADA. Having eaten at a few in the Javits Center parking lot while attending NRF recently, we can attest to that. You have to wonder if those vehicles are checked for emissions for that matter.

On transactional kiosks, the moderator mostly alluded to the new kiosk specific regulations that are expected from the U.S. Access Board. They will extract the relevant sections from the existing referenced guides + add in new ones.

Selected Interest Areas

: ADA Retail Restaurants

: A presentation slide titled Dressing and Fitting Rooms and Dressing and Fitting Room Components, includes ADA accessibility requirements for retail spaces. It covers door swing clearance, turning space, benches, hooks, shelves, and clear floor space.

: Two presentation slides. The first slide discusses transaction devices, highlighting features like proximity and operability in retail environments. The second slide covers self-service transaction machines, listing resources such as ATM specifications and ADA accessibility standards for restaurants.

: A presentation slide designed for ADA-compliant retail environments displays checkout aisle counters and check writing surfaces with precise measurements. The top image highlights a 2 max edge protection and 38 max counter surface, while the bottom focuses on pull-out check writing surfaces at 28-34 height.

: Slide titled Check-Out Aisles with a section code. Below, a slide titled Check-Out Aisle Scoping displays check-out aisles data, an image of ADA-compliant check-out lanes in retail settings, and a sign with ISA label (unless all comply).

: Slide 1: Text on ADA-compliant food and beverage dispensing devices with bullet points about accessible operable parts. Slide 2: Text on ADA requirements for fixed devices dispensing tableware in retail restaurants. Includes an image of a disabled person using a vending machine.

: Slide 1 illustrates a man being served food from behind a counter, highlighting visibility standards in ADA-compliant retail spaces. Slide 2 features an employee helping a man in a wheelchair at the counter, emphasizing adherence to accessibility requirements in restaurants.

: Two presentation slides about accessible routes, tailored for ADA-compliant retail and restaurant spaces. The first slide addresses requirements for waiting lines, covering minimum width and clearances. The second details additional needs for 180-degree turns if obstructions are under 48 inches.

: Two slides about accessible dining surfaces and bar counters in ADA-compliant retail restaurants. They outline requirements for knee space, dispersion, and integration with other services for tables, mentioning specific accessibility considerations for bar counters.

: Slide with two sections. Top: Dining and Work Surfaces §226 & §902 on a dark blue background. Bottom: Comparison of Counters and Work & Dining Surfaces with icons and measurements for ADA accessibility in retail restaurants. Text: AccessibilityOnline Webinar Series.

: Image showcasing a woman at a counter with a person in a wheelchair, emphasizing ADA compliance by keeping the accessible portion clear. Below, a diagram illustrates counter protrusion standards in retail and restaurants, highlighting side panels and clearance for knees and toes.

: Slide depicting ADA-compliant diagrams for accessibility in retail and restaurant spaces. The top diagram illustrates minimum knee and toe clearance with precise measurements, while the bottom shows a forward approach obstruction, detailing required widths for seamless maneuvering.

: Two slides showing diagrams of accessible counter approaches in ADA-compliant retail settings. The top slide details side approach alterations with specific measurements, while the bottom slide outlines the forward approach, including counter width, depth, and required knee and toe space for restaurants.

: Slide titled Approach illustrates a diagram of a wheelchair user at a counter. The Side Approach slide includes ADA guidelines for retail and restaurants with bullet points, specifying minimum clear floor space measurements of 30×48 to enhance accessibility.

: Two slides discuss ADA compliance in retail restaurants. The first specifies an accessible counter section with a maximum height of 36 inches. The second shows a short counter example, explaining full-length compliance when the unit is less than 36 inches long.

: Slide featuring two sections: Examples of Counters Covered, showcasing various types like sales, registration, and ADA-compliant service; and Minimum Number & Dispersion, outlining requirements for at least one of each counter type to ensure proper dispersion in retail and restaurant settings.

: Slide presentation with two sections. Top: Where must accessible routes be located? featuring bullet points on accessible routes coinciding with general circulation paths, crucial for ADA compliance in retail settings. Bottom: Protruding Objects with notes on requirements for projections into circulation paths.

: Slide with two sections: Top: Connect Entrance with Accessible Spaces in the Building. A diagram illustrates each story and entrances ADA compliance. Bottom: Restaurant and Cafeteria Accessible Routes. Lists requirements for accessible dining, mezzanines, rooftop dining in retail restaurants.

: Slide with two sections: Parking & Passenger Loading outlines ADA requirements for accessible parking at retail locations and restaurants. What entrances must be accessible? explains criteria for ensuring entrances to these establishments comply with accessibility standards.

: Two slides: The first discusses ADA-compliant, accessible routes from site arrival to building entrances, with icons for retail and restaurant parking and transportation stops. The second slide details parking requirements, including accessible spaces and van accessibility criteria.

: Two slides from a presentation. The first slide titled Session Agenda covers ADA Retail topics: Accessible Routes and Parking, Sales & Service Counters, and more. The second slide focuses on Accessible Routes and Parking, citing sections §206 & §208. Part of the AccessibilityOnline Webinar Series on February 2, 2023.

Handout

Handout_Retail_Restaurant_2-2-2023_2slides_perpage-compressed

Video of Counters

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