An accessible restroom must work in everyday use. Sufficient space, well-positioned fixtures, and a reliable emergency call system are essential for real usability.
Core Requirements
| Room size | Minimum of approx. 2.20 × 2.20 m |
| Maneuvring space | Minimum of 150 × 150 cm |
| Door | Opens outward, can be unlocked from the outside, minimum 90 cm wide |
| Toilet | Seat height of 46–48 cm, fold-up grab bars on both sides, minimum load capacity of 100 kg |
| Washbasin | Wheelchair-accessible (minimum knee clearance of 70 cm), maximum height of 80 cm |
| Emergency call | Reachable from the toilet and from the floor (with the pull cord ending just above floor level) |
Practical Tips
| Check usability | Verify that the restroom marked as accessible is actually usable: is the maneuvring space free of cleaning carts or decorations? Are the grab bars firmly mounted and is the emergency call system working? |
| Make it easy to find | Check whether the accessible restroom is easy to find — with high-contrast, clearly legible signage from the entrance and from the restaurant area. |
| Enable independent access | If the accessible restroom is locked, install a Euro Key locking system. People with disabilities can order a Euro Key from the Austrian Disability Council. This helps ensure independence access. |
| Plan carefully | Do not place a changing table in the accessible restroom as it restricts maneuvering space. A separate changing room or a changing table in the standard restroom is preferable. |
| Secure the emergency call | The emergency pull cord must reach the floor and be tested regularly. The alarm signal must be received at a location that is staffed at all times. Feedback must be both visual and audible — this is particularly important for guests who are deaf or blind. |
| Check usability | Verify that the restroom marked as accessible is actually usable: is the maneuvring space free of cleaning carts or decorations? Are the grab bars firmly mounted and is the emergency call system working? |
