Waiting Areas

Waiting areas should be located off the main path of travel. Avoid placing them in the centre of large open areas such as hotel lobbies or shopping centres. Signs and design features (e.g., textured flooring that extends across the main path of travel), and colour contrast can be used to highlight the location of a waiting area.

In every waiting area, provide a clear area measuring 920 x 1,200 mm beside at least one seated area and out of the path of travel to accommodate someone who has a guide dog. Any path of travel through a waiting area should be at least 1,200 mm wide to provide enough room for guide dogs and their handlers as well as long cane users. Avoid creating paths of travel that meander around waiting areas. This can cause people who are blind to become disoriented.