Point of Sale devices such as pin pads, fall under Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Specifically, 309.4 of the ADA act which refers to operable parts within applicable sites, facilities, buildings, and elements.

309.4 states, “operable parts shall be operable with one hand and shall not require tight grasping, pinching, or twisting of the hand. The force to activate operable parts shall be 5 pounds (lbs) maximum” (access-board, 309.4).

Check-out counters within businesses are also regulated by the ADA. These regulations include defining “reach range limits”. Simply put, your pin pad can’t be placed in a location that is out of their defined reach range.

Check-out counters are regulated by the approach/reach the customer takes to the counter, either forward reach or side reach. These approaches have dimensions that are acceptable and respective to their designed approach.

• More often than not grocery stores have skinny aisles with side approach

• While convenience stores are usually forward reach