Improving Bathroom Design for Accessibility
The bathroom is an essential part of the home, but it gets overlooked with regards to accessibility quite often. Falling in the bathroom is a common occurrence for those with mobility problems and senior citizens, which can lead to a lot of health problems moving forward. Accessible design has come forward incorporates design elements and ideas to help create a safer, more customized experience for disabled persons and the elderly.
Here’s how you can achieve this objective:
Adding Handlebars
The bathroom floor can get wet very easily, and water on an already slippery surface can be a big problem. For the elderly and those with balance issues, having a handlebar can help them move with more ease. If they feel like they might fall down or tumble, they can always reach out to grab on to the bar.
For some people, getting up on their own can also be a problem. The handlebar is excellent support for this purpose and will generally benefit everyone.
Using the Right Surface Materials
As previously mentioned, the material used in bathroom design has to be carefully picked out as well. It’s best to go with a textured surface that provides a decent amount of grip, as anything slippery is dangerous. Changing the tiles to a better, grippier material will be ideal, especially if you have anyone in the household that has mobility issues.
Make sure to set anti-slip mats along the bathroom entrance and near the shower, as they can help with drying off your feet and move without instantly stripping over the floor.
Lighting and Color Choices
It’s recommended to go with bright lighting for those with visual impairments to help them see better in the bathroom. You will also benefit by using brightly colored tiles and installations as they will generally be easier to look out for within the environment. A contrast would also be effective in differentiating between different items in the bathroom.
Light switches should be in easy to reach spots, and having the necessary measures to prevent shocks from coming into mild water contact.
Following ADA Guidelines
The ADA has very detailed guidelines for different bathroom installations. Ranging from the distance a particular toilet seat should have, the height at which it should be placed, there are strict criteria that a product has to follow in order to be ADA compliant. These follow a general idea that offers a high level of accessibility, and it’s generally recommended to go with ADA compliant products and contractors for the best results.
Find ADA compliance contractors near you in Miami with, Access Built helping in the building of houses for disabled persons, offering handicap remodeling and home modification for elderly and disabled users.
Our company does a thorough inspection of your current living space, recommending the best solutions to fit the needs and requirements of the person in question. Get in touch with us today for your home accessibility design overhaul.
Access Built is a universal design build platform dedicated to connecting residential and commercial property owners with resources they need to create more accessible spaces. For more information or to schedule your FREE consultation, click here.
