The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires, by law, that both public and commercial facilities meet specified guidelines for seating outdoors. The ADA rules apply to outdoor seating that is intended for use by the public AND that is attached to the ground or to a wall. By law, those responsible for that type of outdoor seating must make at least 5% of that outdoor seating compliant with ADA guidelines, if the effort to do so is "reasonably achievable." ADA accessible picnic tables are available for purchase from many sources and in many styles, finishes, and materials.

ADA accessible picnic tables can be made of metal, concrete, plastic or fiberglass, or some combination of these materials. Recycled materials are also being used by many manufacturers. When metal frames are used for handicap accessible picnic tables, the result can be quite versatile -- either more metal, or any of the other materials mentioned above, can be used to construct the table top or the benches. Less common are ADA accessible picnic tables with frames made out of plastic, mainly because of the extra weight. ADA compliant picnic tables made out of wood are possible, too.

ADA picnic tables can be square, round, rectangular, or six-sided (hexagonal) -- the expected use of the accessible picnic table will determine which shape is the most appropriate. If the expected use is for large gatherings in a public recreation area, then a long rectangular handicap accessible table would be ideal -- such a table, eight feet long, would seat eight people comfortably on the two sides, while the two ends would accommodate two people in wheelchairs. Rectangular full-handicap accessible picnic tables are also made so that wheelchair users can be seated along the long sides of the table.

If the groups likely to use the outdoor ADA handicap accessible picnic tables will be less than eight, then square, round or hexagonal picnic tables should be used -- such types fit well, for example, on a restaurant's patio. These smaller ADA picnic tables are almost always made with a metal frame, and with wood, metal or plastic used for the bench seats and top -- the choice of these materials depend on the intended use.

All handicap accessible picnic tables must meet specific specifications and guidelines. The top surface of ADA accessible picnic tables must have a height of 28-34", with 27" of clear space under the top surface for knee clearance. ADA picnic tables must have a horizontal depth of 19" of clear space under the top surface to allow a wheelchair occupant to sit close to the table. If the wheelchair is to be positioned in between benches, then there must be a width of at least 30", and 36" of clearance for the access route to be used to wheel the wheelchair up to the handicap accessible picnic table.