Businesses should rethink offering high-top seating as only option
It happened again.
On a recent weekend, I met a group of friends at a local establishment for our book club gathering. When I arrived, they were waiting outside.
There was a problem. The only seats available in the restaurant were the high tables and matching chairs.
“Are you able to sit at one of those?” one of my friends asked.
Sigh.
For those of you who have never seen me in person, you should know I stand a shade over 4 feet tall. Even six years ago, sitting at one of these tables would have been difficult.
But in December 2018, I had a bad mishap on a patch of ice while I was leaving a restaurant and heading back to my car. This incident resulted in me fracturing my right femur near my hip and injuring my knee. I acquired new hardware in the form of a rod and pins in my thigh, and the experience left me with some mobility issues.
Trying to scale a barstool or one of those taller chairs is now impossible.
Obviously, my answer to my friend was, unfortunately, no. Thankfully we were able to pivot to another nearby location.
However, this situation illustrates a growing problem: Eateries with inaccessible amenities deter those who find these options quite literally out of reach.
I recall going to one venue where all of the seating consisted of high tables. The food was delicious and the service impeccable. But I needed help from two people to get into one of those blasted chairs, an embarrassing and terrifying experience. I don’t plan on returning unless the seating options change.
I also have gone to other establishments where high-top tables comprised most of the seating. I’d hesitate to go back in case one of the limited number of traditional tables wasn’t available.
Business owners with these tables should keep in mind that vertically challenged, middle-aged women with a permanent limp are not the only ones who cannot use these seating arrangements. You are also barring parents with younger children, anyone who uses a wheelchair, and anyone with limited mobility or flexibility.
So, if you are designing — or redesigning — your commercial space, certainly, include higher tables and chairs for those who prefer them. But please include plenty of other options for those unable to scale the heights of Mount Chair.
While I have your attention, here are some other items you may want to look into:
Be aware that taller counters make it a challenge for some wishing to pick up their merchandise or even pay. If you already have a taller counter, consider creating a lower space for those who have difficulty reaching.
Check the soap dispensers in your restrooms. Are the only dispensers toward the back of the sinks? Someone like me, someone in a wheelchair or a smaller child may not be able to reach them. Consider moving a dispenser to a side wall or having bottles of soap within reach.
Consider replacing faucet knobs with handles. A child or someone who uses a wheelchair will have an easier time turning faucets off and on with the longer extended handles.
Install handrails when possible for stairways, and make sure the stairs and rails are clear of obstructions and decorations.
If you want to make your business even more accessible, consider having a friend or family member who uses a wheelchair or other mobility device spend some time in your establishment to help you fine-tune any issues. My short time in a wheelchair after my icy mishap really opened my eyes to issues I’d never considered, such as the length and steepness of ramps, the width of paths and the weight of furnishings and doors.
Not everything is bad news. I have noticed the many efforts of locales trying to be more accessible and inclusive. I’ve noticed the increase in push buttons that automatically open doors. I’ve noticed better curb cuts in areas. I especially love seeing increased efforts at making playgrounds more inclusive for all. There has been a lot of progress in the past several years.
Some things just need fine-tuning.
This situation illustrates a growing problem: Eateries with inaccessible amenities deter those who find these options quite literally out of reach.