Designing a Bathroom for Accessibility Can Benefit Everyone in the Household

By Dave Clark

Compared to a few years ago, I am getting more and more requests for accessible bathrooms – bathrooms that not only can accommodate a disability, but can be used comfortably by other members of the household.

I am a Certified Aging in Place Specialist (CAPS), which means I’m trained to modify homes so the resident(s) can live there longer.  I address the current needs as well as what they will need in the future.

One of the most common modifications is to reconfigure the bathing area.  Showers that are over bathtubs or have curbs are inaccessible to a wheelchair user or for someone whose balance, strength, or mobility may be limited.  The solution is a no-barrier or curbless shower.

Curbless showers can be outfitted with a shower curtain or door.  However, glass doors typically are in a 30-inch standard width and while larger doors can be special ordered, it can be quite expensive.  To keep the bather warm, I recommend a heated floor throughout the bathroom including the shower and possibly the addition of a heat lamp outside the shower area.

Another important element in the shower is having the spray setting accessible.  Someone in a chair will not be able to reach the top of the showerhead to divert the spray, so I always recommend two diverter valves.  Another alternate configuration can be a fixed showerhead in the conventional location and adding a second handheld showerhead with a diverter valve.  A handheld showerhead can also be on a slide mount so it can be adjusted easily for height.

Other things to keep the bathroom functional for wheelchair users are to remove the cabinetry under sinks so the countertop extends with a small apron, which will allow them to pull right up to the sink.  Countertops are set at 34 inches in height so a wheelchair can get in and out easily and at least 32 inches between cabinets, a bit more if there is room in the footprint.  It’s possible to do multi-level countertops so a taller person will be comfortable with a standard 36-inch unit.

Instead of faucets on the back side of the sink, they are more accessible when offset to the side.  Lever-style handles make them easier to turn on and off and there are options for motion-activated faucets and soap dispensers.  Drain stoppers can also be controlled with a push of the finger on the sink.

Comfort-height or chair-height toilets, which are becoming very common in bathroom remodels, make it easier for transferring from wheelchair to toilet and for senior adults, easier to sit down and stand up.

If new windows or window replacement is part of the design, a casement window or sliding window is more manageable for someone in a chair or who has muscle weakness.  These windows eliminate the reaching and pulling up, which is also a convenience for someone of short stature.

A master bedroom remodel frequently incorporates a closet makeover.  Consideration here too is for the diameter so a chair can turn easily and for shelves and poles of varying heights.  Carpeting is not recommended for wheelchair use and also can be difficult for someone using a walker.  Hardwood (not in the bathroom itself) or ceramic is preferred.

Whether or not you have a disability, these design elements are something to consider when doing a bathroom remodel.  Improvements like these make it easier to transition as you advance in age or if a serious situation were to develop that reduces mobility or strength.  Consider what you would do if you broke a leg while skiing or are recuperating from knee replacement surgery.  A curbless shower or a higher seated toilet would be comforts you wouldn’t want to be without.