There are millions of people all over the world with many types of disabilities. Several of these disabilities make it extremely difficult for wheelchair-bound individuals to gain access to the necessities they need – particularly bathrooms

Bathrooms can pose extreme barriers for disabled people and can make an ordinarily simple task time consuming, frustrating and often impossible.

Creating a wheelchair accessible washroom – whether for residential or commercial purposes – has become more and more popular. If you’re thinking of creating a new wheelchair accessible washroom – or updating an existing bathroom to accommodate wheelchairs – there are several things you’ll want to consider.

1. Doorway Widening. Before you even consider the wheelchair bathroom accessories, you need to make sure a standard wheelchair can fit through the door of your washroom. A standard wheelchair is 24-17″ wide. A wheelchair accessible bathroom doorway should be a minimum of 32″ wide.

2. Grab Bars. Safety grab bars make it easier and more convenient for wheelchair bound individuals to gain appropriate access to all areas of the bathroom. Installing grab bars next to the toilet and near bathing areas and inside showers and tubs is essential. You may also want to consider installing grab bars behind the toilet and installing roll-under sinks and vanities.

3. Accessible Showers and Bathtubs. Residential washrooms where one or more of the residents (or even a close family member who visits often) should be converted to accommodate wheelchairs. Roll-in showers and walk-in bath tubs are a great way to make the showering process easier.

4. Tilted Mirrors and Accessible Cabinets. Wheelchair accommodating washrooms should definitely have at least one tilted mirror for disabled individuals. There’s no sense building an entire washroom for easy wheelchair access if you’re going to leave out the mirror. As we mentioned before, roll under sinks and counters are also very accommodating for wheelchair-bound individuals.

We hope our tips have helped and we’re happy to hear you’re taking the time to research the necessities of a wheelchair accessible bathroom. It’s not an easy task, but it’s worth the work in the end.

A portable wheelchair ramp is the quick and easy accessibility solution. They can be used to access vehicles, navigate curbs and thresholds, and for temporary access into homes. They are designed to be lightweight and compact for easy transport. There are different types of portable wheelchair ramps to suit every need.

There are all types of portable wheelchair ramps available: Folding, Threshold, Telescoping, Van & SUV, Solid, Bariatric or Modular. Yes, modular. You can get a custom designed modular ramp.

Solid portable wheelchair ramps come in different lengths. These provide quick and easy access into your home or vehicle. They are made of just one piece and no assembly is required. Check the amount of vertical rise by measuring the distance between the top and bottom landings. They accommodate between six and ten inches of rise. These portable wheelchair ramps have a 600 pound capacity yet they are lightweight.

Folding portable wheelchair ramps are easier to move from place to place. Often they are referred to as suitcase portable wheelchair ramps because of the way they fold up to be carried like a suitcase. Some separate into pieces making them even more manageable. You can use them at home or when visiting a friend. They also can provide vehicle access. Just take them apart and/or fold them up to transport them.

Threshold portable wheelchair ramps make navigating within the home easier. They eliminate the need to “bump up” through doorways, making it safer to enter slightly different levels within the home, sliding glass doors and landings. They may be constructed of aluminum or rubber. The rubber ones can be easily trimmed and are great for sliding glass doors because they do not interfere with the tracks. They sit flush against the door sill and can be used both indoors and outdoors.

One more barrier to getting out in the world and visiting friends is removed. No more having to tell them, “I’d love to come over, but I can’t get in.” or hiding behind another excuse because you are embarrassed. With so many choices available, it is easy to find the portable wheelchair ramp you need.