People with limited mobility require accessible features throughout the whole house. In the bathroom, this becomes even more important, because every person uses it at least once a day. Add to that the fact that it is a slippery area with many fixtures you need to use frequently, and you will get a place that, if not designed correctly, will be a living torment. But don't worry. Nowadays, there are many ways in which you can make a bathroom accessible for a person with limited mobility. Let's talk about some of them in this guide.

Flooring

Let's start at the bottom. In an accessible bathroom, the flooring should be non-slip, especially when wet. Regular tiles can be a source of accidents and difficulties, and we want to avoid that.

Another important thing is leveling the floor. Avoid thresholds, as they are big trip hazards and are simply not convenient for a person with a disability. We don't want to create another barrier to a bathroom user.

Space

Another important consideration is that doors take up valuable space. When creating an accessible bathroom, it is important to provide as much space as possible. Regular doors need space to swing and are less useful than, for example, pocket doors. Consider installing lever handles, as the usual doorknobs are not designed for limited mobility users.

       

      Pocket Door (Youtube: Brent Darlington)  

It is also important that door opening should be wide enough. A 36-inch wide door is enough for wheelchair users, but bigger is better.

Turning space is another important consideration. A wheelchair should be able to turn without problems. That means a turning circle of around 60 inches in diameter or more.

Shower

Nowadays, there are several options for accessible showers. The most popular out of them is the so-called "roll-in" shower. In this type of shower, there is no threshold between the bathroom area and the bathing area, and a person can literally walk or roll into the bathing zone with no obstacles.

       

      Roll-In Shower (Youtube: Awesome Home Decor)  

If it is a wheelchair user, after entering, the person is transferred to a special shower seat using grab bars, while the wheelchair is kept nearby. In other builds, a special transfer bench is used, which is half inside, half outside the shower zone.

The shower faucet should be within easy reach of the shower seat. Placing it too far means making a person reach a long distance every time, which leads to a higher risk of incidents.

Toilet

First of all, an important point to discuss is toilet height. Most regular toilets are in the range of 14-15 inches which is pretty low to be called accessible. It is hard for elderly people to get on and off it, and often, that's where a bad accident can happen. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) states that comfort height (17–19 inches), also known as an accessible toilet, is much better. It eliminates unnecessary risks.

       

      Toto | Eco Ultramax® One-Piece Toilet – Ada Compliant, Elongated Bowl 1.28 gpf  

The same applies to wheelchair users. A typical wheelchair seat is at a height of 18–20 inches, which is almost the same as the range of an ADA-compliant toilet. Being at the same height, transferring becomes easy, and the risk of accidents decreases. To help with that, grab rails are also used. It helps with the transfer, and it simplifies the process. Grab bars should be firmly placed, have useful grip, and designed to be used daily, so choose a good quality manufacturer and durable materials. The usual practice is to place one horizontal grab bar, but installing a vertical one near the front edge of the horizontal bar is also a great idea, proven by user experience.

Flush should also be easy to press, preferably automatic, side lever or side button. The usual top button is quite hard to reach, which is dangerous.

The toilet paper holder must not interfere with grab bar use and should be within easy reach.

Sink

An accessible sink is a sink with space under it, so a wheelchair user can roll under it and use the sink while remaining seated. The height should not be higher than 33-34 inches. Pay attention to the faucet handle. A lever-type or automatic faucet is good, while regular knobs could be hard to operate. This is also important both for elderly people, who can have weaker grip, and for wheelchair users who can't reach to the back of the sink to twist the knob.

The important thing is to take care of the pipes. If they are exposed - hot water can heat the pipes, which through direct touch will cause burns. Insulate the pipes, or hide them in the wall behind.

The mirror should be placed slightly tilted forward so a sitting person can see it, or at least extend fully to the edge of the sink.

Storage should be placed in direct reach, not too high, to eliminate bending and problematic reaching.

Conclusion

Making an accessible bathroom may be hard. There are a lot of things you need to keep in mind. The best way to do it is to put yourself in the shoes of the person who will use it. Try to make everything reachable from a close distance, easy to twist and pull, and eliminate potential hazards. A good accessible bathroom is a thoughtfully designed bathroom. Good luck!

If you need any advice or are looking for Canada's best plumbing fixtures for any type of bathroom - contact us, and we will be happy to help with any request.