There may come a time when a friend, relative or family member becomes disabled, and you’re suddenly faced with the fact that your home and especially your bathrooms are not handicapped friendly. Of course, you can do a complete bathroom remodel, making it wide open and easily accessible. But that won’t work for the majority of homeowners, and you’ll need to think of practical yet cost effective measures to make a bathroom handicap accessible.
The Doorway
Most bathroom doorways are installed at 30 inches wide. Unfortunately, handicap doorways need to be a minimum of 36 inches wide to accommodate walkers, wheelchairs, and crutches. Easy access to the bathroom is one of the most important modifications for people with disabilities, and although expensive, if there’s only one thing you can do, this is it.
Handrails
Most disabilities are in the lower body, so having handrails or grab bars in a bathroom next to the sink, the toilet and inside of the shower are essential. Handrails would be used to lower yourself onto a toilet or a seat, and then once done sitting, to help raise yourself back into a standing position or a wheelchair. Sometimes a handrail may just be needed to steady yourself when washing at the sink.
All handrails must be anchored to studs, with no exceptions. They must be strong and sturdy with the ability to support someone who grabs the handrail if they begin to fall.
Sinks
A pedestal sink that is open underneath is perfect for wheelchair access. That means any cabinet beneath the sink needs to be removed. Also, lever handles should be installed in the sink, tub and door instead of knobs. Knobs must be grasped to turn on or off while levers easily be flipped up and down without having to grab a hold of them. A touchless faucet is also a viable alternative as well.
Toilets
Height makes right, and a bathroom toilet should be a minimum of 17 to 19 inches tall instead of the standard 15 inches. Toilet seat extensions can be used in a home setting, but if you want to do it right, get the proper toilet.
Ideally, there should be plenty of room for a wheelchair to turn around and park next to the toilet, so the user can have easy on and easy off access.
Showers and Tubs
Unless you have a vacuum sealed door on a bathtub that allows access from the ground level, a bathtub is not going to be disability friendly. Ideally, a handicap accessible shower is a better idea.
Showers must have grab bars for entrance and exit, a faucet that can be turned on with levers or a touchless sensor, and a built-in seat or bench should be available if needed. The actual shower unit itself should be handheld and movable about the shower area for greater cleaning and rinsing ability. If someone using a wheelchair is going to use the shower, it should be curbless, so they can roll right in.
Make the best choices
The main thing, about modifying your bathrooms for disabled, handicapped and elderly people, is catering to their personal needs. If you choose the right combination of upgrades, you’ll be able to make your bathroom handicapped accessible at a cost effective price. Brian Martin from Master’s Design Build has been remodeling bathrooms to accommodate physical disabilities for 25 years. We know all of the ADA guidelines that you’ll need for your bathroom remodel. Please feel free to call (215) 723-6162 or email us and ask questions. We’re happy to help.
