Handi-padel: what accessibility standards are needed for a truly inclusive padel club?

Accessibility: what exactly are we talking about for a padel club?

In France, a padel club that welcomes the public is generally subject to the accessibility rules applicable to establishments open to the public (ERP): the goal is for everyone to be able to access, move around, use the equipment and benefit from the services, whatever their disability (motor, visual, hearing, cognitive/psychic).

Two texts structure the “technical frame” according to your situation: the decree of April 20, 2017 (new construction and alterations to facilities open to the public) and the decree of December 8, 2014 (existing built environment, with possible adaptations).

In Belgium, the principle is the same (buildings open/accessible to the public), but the rules are largely regional: Brussels-Capital, Wallonia and Flanders have their own frames of reference. The consequence is simple: a project “copied and pasted” from one region to another may be non-compliant, or simply less ambitious than the local frame allows.

Inclusive club” express checklist

Belgium: different standards for different regions

Brussels-Capital Region: the RRU (Title IV) as a backbone

In Brussels, Title IV of the Regional Planning Regulations (RRU) details requirements for parking, signage, corridors, doors, elevators and sanitary facilities. Here are a few guidelines for clubs:

• PRM parking: reserved spaces nearby, signposted, with defined dimensions (e.g. minimum width of 3.30 m). Under certain conditions, the width may be reduced (in cases where there are no lateral obstacles), but this point is valid for both the text and the plan.
• Interior circulation: corridors at 1.50 m minimum, with limited exceptions (reduction to 1.20 m possible on small sections without crossing or turning, and subject to conditions).
• Doors: the text regulates free passage and maneuvering constraints (opening force, door closers, protrusions, etc.).
• Signaling and warning: audible warning systems are backed up by light signals.

For a padel club, the challenge is to translate these requirements into a truly fluid course: access parking lot → entrance → reception → club-house → changing rooms → courts, with no breaks.

Wallonia: GRU/CoDT (articles 414-415), with thresholds and forgiveness to be aware of

In Wallonia, the Guide régional d’urbanisme (GRU) contains provisions relating to the accessibility and use of spaces/buildings open to the public. Important point: the scope of application may include thresholds and exemptions depending on the nature of the work (existing, major transformations, surface area accessible to the public, etc.).

GRU covers parking areas, access routes (width, surface, slopes and resting levels), doors (free passage), internal information, toilets/showers, etc. In practical terms, for a padel club, it’s often the slopes, the usable width of doors and manoeuvring space that determine how well a player in a wheelchair can be accommodated.

Flanders: the logic of “free passage” (and the trap of door widths)

In Flanders, there’s a recurring point in the practical documents: a “standard” door leaf width doesn’t guarantee clear passage width. In other words, advertising “a 93 cm door” can translate into 86-88 cm, depending on the frame and installation. Recommended practice is therefore to reason in terms of clear passage width, and size the opening accordingly.

For a padel court, this precision is far from theoretical: an entrance, a gate to the court, or a sanitary door “just wide enough on the plan” can become unusable in real-life situations, especially with a sports chair and tight rotation angles.

The first test: the “parking → reception → changing rooms → slopes” route

The most common mistake in padel projects is to “tick off” a ramp at the entrance, only to discover that the path narrows, a door hangs in there, or access to the courts is via a step. In accessibility, it’s the continuity of the path that counts.

Parking and away: the basis (and often the blocking point)

With regard to existing facilities, the Decree of December 8, 2014 provides some very concrete benchmarks: an accessible pathway aims for a minimum width of 1.20 m (with possible spot forgiveness) and, when an inclined plane is required, the reference slope is 6% (with framed tolerances over short lengths).

For new buildings, the decree of April 20, 2017 sets a maximum slope of 5% for an inclined surface and provides for more generous path widths.

Translation “court”: ban unstable surfaces (gravel, loose slabs), secure grip in damp weather, and think about crossing and turning areas right from the ground plan, not at the end of the construction site.

Reception, interior circulation and clubhouse: inclusion is also at the counter

An inclusive club also means a reception area where people can talk to each other at the right height, obstacle-free circulation and real access to living areas (bar, lounge, pro-shop) – not “theoretical access” that ends with a step or a door that’s too heavy.

A point often overlooked: the public accessibility register is one of the elements required in ERP buildings to inform the public about the level of accessibility and the measures taken.

Sanitary facilities, showers and changing rooms: the most sensitive obligation for a sports club

In a padel club, changing rooms are an immediate marker of seriousness. Accessible cubicles, walk-in showers, grab bars, maneuvering space, usable furniture… This is a “priority item” to be treated in the same way as lighting and ventilation: it’s a central piece of equipment for building loyalty among handi-padel players, not an extra.

The padel court: access to the court and the “doors that make all the difference”.

This is where many clubs get trapped: a track can be homologated and yet impracticable for wheelchairs if access is too narrow or if the immediate environment makes manoeuvring impossible.

What the game rules and technical guides say

The rules of the Fédération Internationale de Padel (FIP) govern the dimensions of lateral accesses to the court: with a single access per side, the opening must be at least 1.05 m (and 2.00 m in height); with two accesses per side, the opening may be as low as 0.72 m.

Problem: 0.72 m is often not enough for a sports chair. And even with 1.05 m, you may still be “just right” depending on the configuration and angle of entry. In the UK, the LTA insists on an operational point: to allow wheelchair access to the ends of the court, the space between the net post and the enclosure must be at least 1.2 m on each side.

The most pragmatic recommendation for a club

• Provide at least one “referent” runway (ideally two) with a door that is truly adapted to the sports wheelchair, and clearances allowing entry, rotation and exit without dangerous maneuvers.
• Check accessibility “in situ” before signing: a test with a wheelchair (or a local association) is better than ten e-mail exchanges.
• Anticipate the aftermath: an enlarged door needs to be thought through in terms of fencing, hardware, wind resistance and maintenance (handles that don’t stick out on the inside, etc.).

Handi-padel and wheelchair padel: infrastructure must keep pace with practice

In France, “wheelchair padel” is organized by the FFT: the rules are similar to those of padel, with a few modifications (double bounce authorized, adapted serve, no exit during points, etc.).

This sporting reality changes your “building” reading: a club that aims to progress padel-fauteuil must be able to host regular sessions (slots, changing rooms, track access) and, eventually, competitions. The FFT also says it organizes sanctioned tournaments, and has included the French wheelchair padel championships in its calendar since 2024.

Inclusion also comes into play here: signage, communication and customer experience

An inclusive club does more than just “let a wheelchair in”. It has to make information legible and accessible: clear signage, contrasts, understandable pictograms, simple instructions and well-trained staff.

When it comes to services, accessibility is also a factor in the digital journey (reservations, payment, practical information). French public policies emphasize the importance of a global approach (user information, tools, support), and promote initiatives such as Acceslibre and the Ambassadeurs de l’accessibilité.

Beyond mobility: consider visual, hearing and cognitive disabilities too

An “accessible” club is more than just a ramp. For the experience to be truly equitable, information, orientation and comfort must also be provided.

• Visually impaired: sharp contrasts, legible pictograms, even lighting (no shadows), easy-to-spot trail numbers.
• Hearing impairment: limit announcements to the microphone only, display key information (schedule, calls, track changes).
• Cognitive/psychic disability: simple signage, smooth customer flow, short instructions repeated consistently (on-site and online).

Safety and evacuation: accessibility in emergency situations

One point that is often outsourced in clubs is evacuation. And yet, the texts and guides remind us that accessibility also applies when it counts the most: warnings, instructions, escape routes.

• Warning: provide devices that can be heard and seen by everyone.
• Instructions: if you broadcast messages over the microphone, think of the visual equivalent (screens, dynamic displays, procedures).
• Path: legible markings, contrast, continuity, and elimination of “trap” jumps on exits.

Spectators and events: don’t forget public areas

If your club is open to the public (finals, tournaments, bleachers, bar area with view of the slopes), accessibility isn’t just about the players. Think about :

• Accessible spectator areas (with good visibility, not “behind a pole”).
• Seamless access to key areas: bar, sanitary facilities, circulation around the slopes.
• Simple, coherent information (map, pictograms, announcements) on D-day.

Online booking and payment: digital accessibility becomes a “club” issue

More and more padel is played digitally: reservations, payments, tournament entries. If your club offers services similar to e-commerce, the accessibility of these courses can become a compliance issue and, above all, a lever for inclusion.

• Keyboard-operated forms, clear wording, easy-to-understand errors.
• Sufficient contrast, resizable text, information not conveyed by color alone.
• Alternative to captchas or blocking devices.

What international standards recommend (useful for benchmarking)

If you’re looking for “best practice” beyond the regulatory minimum, foreign guides can help you design a better experience: Sport England offers a series of documents on the design and operation of accessible and inclusive sports venues (design, operation, signage, evacuation).

In Spain, the Spanish Paralympic Committee is also distributing a manual of best practice in universal accessibility in sports facilities, designed as an operational tool for managers and technicians.

Key takeaway

• Treat accessibility as a continuous process: parking, paths, reception, changing rooms, trails.
• In padel, the key issue is the door and clearance around the court: a well-designed “reference” court changes everything.
• Refer to the relevant legislation (new/existing) and have your choices validated by professionals (architect, control office) and, if possible, by practitioners.
• In Belgium, identify the region concerned (Brussels/Wallonia/Flanders) from the outset: the technical frame and application thresholds may vary.

Official resources (Belgium)

• Brussels-Capital: RRU – Title IV PMR accessibility (PDF)
• Wallonia: “PMR accessibility” sheet (CoDT/GRU references) (PDF)
• Wallonia: RGBPMR text (articles 414 et seq.) (PDF)
• Flanders: integrated text – accesses and doors (clear widths, etc.)