These are probably the first pieces of furniture that a visitor comes to in a building. Provisions here will give an immediate message to people with impairments as to whether the organisation is disability aware.

A lower section with knee space under will help wheelchair users approach the counter, be seen and to write or sign on documents. Maximum height for the top surface should be 800mm with 700 to 750mm clear height beneath and 400 to 600mm depth of leg space. The lower section also helps shorter or younger people. Similar provision on the other side will also help employees who are shorter or who are wheelchair users. The need for security can get in the way of ease of access but lower portions can be provided with glazed security screens in front, as long as attention is paid to how communication will take place through the screen.

An induction loop and a symbol to indicate its presence at least at one counter position will help people with hearing impairments, particularly if they wish to speak confidentially or if there is a degree of background noise. The induction loop should be left switched on when the counter is in use, so that the visitor does not have to draw attention to their disability in asking for it to be switched on.

Induction loops should be regularly tested, probably weekly, particularly if they use a battery in the microphone.

A pair of clip boards kept in this area can be useful for communication or for signing and writing on documents.

The guidance for cash desks and counters is similar to that for the Reception Desks and Counters above. Many customers like to see a display of what is being entered or registered in tills, so that they can follow and check what is going on. The display should be at a suitable height for wheelchair users and shorter people.

Induction loops are also important for communication here too, particularly where there is considerable background noise, such as in a drive through servery or at a bar in a public house or restaurant.

There should be sufficient space between display shelves for a wheelchair user to turn and face the shelving. A clear width of 1200 to 1400mm is recommended. 1000mm will only permit sideways approach.

The most accessible shelf heights, from a seated position, are between 600 and 1000mm above floor level. The length of reach into them will affect this and a maximum shelf depth of 220mm is recommended. Higher shelves should have particularly clear labelling on the front edge.

There should be enough space around tables and seats for wheelchair users to manouevre around the area. Some seats should be movable so that wheelchair users can sit up to the table or in the area of seating.

Tables should have a clear knee space of 700 to 750mm beneath them. This should be clear of any horizontal supports to the edge of the table. The table top should be around 800mm above the floor. Not all chairs should have arm rests, though it is useful if some do.

This particularly applies to clothes shops. At least one changing room should have minimum floor dimensions of 1400mm by 1800mm. A drop down seat is useful to many wheelchair users and people with mobility impairments. A horizontal grabrail on the wall by the drop down seat will help wheelchair users transfer onto the seat.