Top 5 Things To Consider When Designing an Accessible Bathroom

Bathroom privacy and accessibility is essential to everyone, however, people with disabilities need extra support in terms of accessories added to specially designed bathrooms for easy maneuvering and use. One of the crucial aspects for designing a bathroom for a special needs person is the space that needs to be enough to accommodate a wheelchair to go around, making a bathroom accessible. Allcare helps immensely in designing such bathrooms. Let us have a look at some of the essential components of accessible bathrooms:

Bathing: Shower and Tub Accessibility

Using a roller shower seat or a fixed shower seat in the shower area can help accommodate special needs users, which is an excellent, accessible bathroom idea. It is recommended that the shower seat height is between 17 inches to 19 inches. In the bathroom, a small stool or plastic chair can allow someone to sit while taking a shower and remove it when not in use. 

For assisting people with wheelchairs, walkers, or for someone who is at risk of falling, a curbless shower is ideal and is suitable for everyone regardless of ability. It is often recommended that the opening of the shower should be in level with the floor, and the gap should be 36 inches wide for those who are using a transfer seat and 60 inches wide for the people who are using wheelchairs so that they can turn around. The use of walk-in tubs allows the user easy access and enables the user to get into the tub without climbing over the sides of the tube. It is imperative to install grab handles in all bathroom areas. Two grab bars need to be installed in tub areas, one standing and the second at sitting height. One should fit all three walls with grab handles for showers, and the controls need to be around those grab handles. 

The bathroom should be equipped with non-slippery tiles to prevent any falls. You can achieve non-slip flooring by installing textured tiles or a slatted wood tray over a concrete floor. To maintain safe water temperature and volume, an anti-scald mixing valve can be used, preventing the burns caused by the water pressure. You should limit the water temperature to 120 degrees. You can place some supplies related to hair care, bathing products, soap, washcloth, etc., in the bathroom. 

The bathroom shelves should have adequate space to keep all the supplies properly to prevent supplies from falling on the floor. You should install good quality overhead lighting with glass shower walls, which will increase visibility. Towel shelves or hooks should be put at a proper height so that one can dry themselves before exiting. This is how to design an accessible bathroom fitted with shower and tubs.

Bathroom Sink and Vanity Accessibility:

Another idea to make an accessible bathroom is to install the sink on the wall without a cabinet underneath it for both sitting and standing users or to provide enough clearance for the knee. Since the sink is approached from the front, there should be a space of 34 inches for better movement. The bathroom should be equipped with single handle faucets to be easily turned on and adjusted without any need to grab or twist or install a hands-free faucet with a sensor under it that will detect the hand and activate the faucet. Every bathroom needs a lower placed mirror, extra-long mirror, or a tilted mirror that everyone can use. You can install the bathroom with sturdy furniture that helps people move around the toilet if the grab handles are out of reach. The bathroom should be fitted with low drawers that increase the accessible storage option. 

Bathroom Toilet Accessibility: 

It is recommended that the toilet needs to be at least 17 inches to 19-inch height as it is the most comfortable height for all users. Since you can not replace the toilet, it is better to use a thick toilet seat to add height to the bathroom. If a wall-hung toilet is mounted in the bathroom, you should customize its height to facilitate all kinds of users. At the same time, you should hang the toilet paper dispenser at the proper height.

To allow more privacy, bidets can be installed, and proper hygiene can be provided to those finding it difficult to use for cleaning. 

Bathroom Lighting:

Good lighting is essential to increase the safety of the user. The bathroom plan should be made to have no shadow areas. The switches of the lights should be placed in a lower position so that they can reach the hands of the people in wheelchairs. There should be adequate lighting in the bathroom to prevent any glare. Motion detector lights can be installed for users who have trouble reaching the switches.

General Bathroom Access and Safety:

An accessible bathroom needs to have at least 30 inches by 48 inches of space for mobility. The bathroom door is to be widened for wheelchair access. If the bathroom door swings outwards instead of hanging inside, it needs to be changed for better mobility. Don’t leave any loose mats that may cause some accidents. 

While designing the bathroom, the engineer should consider all the spots where the bathroom supplies can go keeping the user in mind. The maximum heat of the water should be reduced as it can cause burns. The electrical outputs should be lower to facilitate electrical items such as hairdryers, toothbrushes, and electric razors. There should be a facility of lift systems like a hydraulic chair, sling-type lift, rolling transfer bench, etc. so that it can be easier for the people to go to the bathroom. 

These are a few ideas that should be kept in mind as tips to consider when designing your accessible bathroom. Maintaining and planning the bathroom for special-needs people can be streamlined if the above pointers are considered. Allcare, an NDIS approved disability aid provider in Australia, takes all the responsibility of keeping the necessary regulations and equipment when making a bathroom accessible.