Accessibility certificate for restaurants
If you have a restaurant, knowing that anyone can enter, move around and enjoy your space without barriers is not just a matter of legal compliance: it is a real competitive advantage. With the AIS accessibility certificate, your establishment officially and verifiably certifies that it complies with the most demanding standards in the market.
Why does accessibility in restaurants matter more than you think?
More than 15% of the population has some kind of disability, and a significant portion of them make consumption decisions based on whether or not a space is accessible. A restaurant that cannot guarantee autonomy to all its customers not only loses bookings, but also loses reputation in a market that is increasingly sensitive to inclusion and diversity.
In addition, accessibility regulations have been tightened in recent years. Having a recognized certificate not only gives you peace of mind in the face of possible inspections, but also puts your business at an advantage over competitors who have not yet taken this step.
What does the accessibility certificate evaluate in a restaurant?
Access and circulation areas
We evaluate the entrances to the premises, the width of the aisles, the layout of the furniture and the possibility for a wheelchair user or person with reduced mobility to move independently throughout the room, including bar areas, terrace or reserved spaces.
We also analyze whether access from the public road is free of obstacles and whether there are signage elements that facilitate orientation within the space. Small details that, together, make a huge difference for many of your customers.
Toilets, lighting and sensory comfort
Adapted toilets are one of the elements that most penalizes the absence in any hospitality establishment. The certification verifies not only if they exist, but also if they are properly equipped and really functional for people with different needs.
Lighting, acoustics and visual contrasts are also part of the analysis. An environment that reduces ambient noise or has adequate lighting improves the experience for all customers, disabled or not.
Charter, communication and customer service
Accessibility does not end at the physical level. The AIS certificate also values aspects of the service such as the availability of the menu in alternative formats, staff training in catering for people with different abilities or the existence of specific protocols for emergency situations.
These are aspects that, if well worked out, turn an accessible restaurant into a truly inclusive restaurant, and that is something that your customers notice and value.
How is the certification process step by step?
Once you contact AIS Certification, a file is opened at Fundación ARS and an approved technician is in charge of collecting the necessary evidence at your premises. Based on the analysis of this evidence, a personalized action plan is drawn up with the recommended improvements and, after the final audit, the Certification Committee approves the certificate and the grade obtained.
The certificate is valid for three years, with annual reviews to ensure that the level of accessibility is maintained. If your restaurant is in the process of renovation or you are planning a new one, there is also the pre-qualification mode, which allows you to know the degree of accessibility of the project before executing it.
Concrete benefits for your business
- Prove to your customers, partners and suppliers that your restaurant meets the highest standards of accessibility.
- You have access to a wider public: family groups with elderly people, customers with reduced mobility, people with visual or hearing impairment.
- You reinforce your value proposition and differentiate yourself from the competition on online booking and review platforms.
- You comply with the current legal regulations on accessibility and reduce the risk of sanctions or claims.
- The AIS certificate is internationally recognized, which is especially relevant if your restaurant receives foreign tourists.
- You integrate accessibility into your Corporate Social Responsibility strategy or ESG policy.
- You get a clear action plan with improvement priorities that allows you to plan investments efficiently.
Request the accessibility certificate for your restaurant
The process begins with a first contact without obligation. At AIS Certification we inform you of everything you need to know before taking the step: what is evaluated, what documentation is required, how long the process takes and what you can expect at the end.
If your restaurant is in Spain or in any of the more than 30 countries where AIS has a presence, you can start the process today. Accessibility is not an expense: it is an investment in customers, in reputation and in the kind of business you want to build.
