Are you looking for ways to make your house more accessible to the disabled community? If you have a disability, you likely take extra care when it comes to managing your bathroom needs. 

Creating an Americans with Disability Act or ADA-compliant bathroom can be easier than you think as long as you know what the rules are and how to follow them. People with all sorts of mobility issues will benefit, making the decision to add facilities more than worthwhile.

Keep reading to learn all about what makes an ADA compliant bathroom.

Designing Your Space

When creating an ADA compliant bathroom, the first thing to consider is the layout of the room. All doors should be at least 32 inches wide, and there should be enough space for a wheelchair to turn around easily.

The sink and counter should be open beneath them so that someone in a wheelchair can roll up to them, and the toilet should be open at the front so that someone can approach it from the front. There should also be grab bars in the shower and near the toilet.

Accessible Fixtures

This means choosing fixtures that are the right height, depth, and width for someone in a wheelchair and that have grab bars and other features that make them easy to use. When choosing fixtures, it’s also important to consider things like the finish and the color, which can make a big difference in the overall look and feel of the bathroom.

An accessible bathroom must have grab bars installed near the toilet, shower, and bathtub. The shower and tub should have a seat or bench, and the shower should have a hand-held showerhead. Controls for the sink, toilet, and shower should be within reach of a person in a wheelchair.

Proper Lighting

Adequate lighting is one of the most important aspects of an ADA compliant bathroom. All areas of the bathroom should be well-lit so that people with vision impairments can safely move around. Task lighting should be used over mirrors and other areas where people will be doing personal grooming.

The lighting should be bright enough to allow for accurate color rendering and provide ample contrast so that people with low vision can see clearly. Flickering or dim lighting should be avoided as it can cause headaches, dizziness, and seizures in people with certain neurological conditions.

Grab Bar Installation

Grab bars provide support and stability for people who have difficulty standing or maintaining their balance. There are many different types of grab bars available, so it is important to choose the type that best suits your needs.

Once you have chosen the type of grab bar you want, you must install it according to the manufacturer’s instructions. If you want to have an ADA bathroom, consider this guide to ADA braille signs.

Flooring Considerations

The flooring must be slip-resistant, durable, and easy to clean. It should also be able to withstand heavy traffic and be able to resist staining. There are many different types of flooring that can meet these criteria, so be sure to do your research to find the best option for your needs.

Choose the Best ADA Compliant Bathroom

Making your ADA compliant bathroom can seem like a daunting task, but it is important to make your home accessible for everyone. By following the guidelines laid out in this article, you can make your bathroom safe and functional for everyone. 

Check out the rest of our blog for more great advice.

By Manali