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.

Which accessible van is best for you? You have options. You have a choice between a lowered floor minivan with a ramp, and a full size van with a lift. The first thing to consider is how tall you sit in your chair. Some people have called me and asked: “how much to put a ramp in the side of my van?” If only it were that simple. Consider the height inside a minivan, and then measure how tall you sit in your chair. A normal size adult will not be able to sit up in a wheelchair, inside a non modified minivan. Another thing to consider; a ramp would have to be of considerable length so it is not too steep. Once a minivan is modified, the floor is lowered by 10-14 inches. The door opening height in a lowered floor minivan is between 53 inches and 56 inches. The interior height will vary, depending on the year, make and model of the vehicle.

If you sit over 56 inches tall, you may be more comfortable in a full size van. The best way to determine this is to go to a mobility dealer. This way you can roll into the different size vans to see how you fit. We have seen situations where a customer had a van delivered from an internet dealer. The driver gave him the keys and left. The customer, excited about his new van rolled up the ramp, and saw that he could not fit. He sat up too tall, and was not able to bend his head. This is why it is very important to try different size vans. There are different options available for a full size van. You can raise the top for optimal interior height. You can also have the doors raised if needed. Sometimes this is not enough. The floor can also be lowered by 6 or 9 inches in a full size van. The lowered floor can be done in the center area only, or a full cut, which includes the front seating area. Some people choose to lower the floor without the raised roof and doors. It all depends on your individual needs. This is why it is important to try before you buy. Other options are remote entry, where the doors open with the touch of a button on your remote. Luxury interiors are also available, with 19 inch digital screens, sound systems, and other high end interiors and electronics from which to choose. There are several packages available. Having trouble deciding between full size and minivan? Send me an email. I will help best I can.

Let’s say you prefer a minivan. Your next decision is between a fold out ramp, or an in-floor ramp. Let me point out a few things. Should your vehicle lose power for any reason, the fold out ramp is easily pushed out for a quick emergency exit. For manual operation, the in-floor ramp would need to be physically pulled out from outside, or cranked out from the inside. This would be a challenge for anyone with decreased upper body strength. Another thing to consider is that you lose an inch of interior height with the in-floor ramp conversion. I am a paraplegic who drives a lowered floor minivan. My preference is the fold out ramp just because of the reasons stated above.

Next, should you choose a lowered floor minivan with a power ramp and door, or a manual ramp and door? That depends on your situation. If you are not a driver and have someone with you all the time, the manual conversion may work for you. Please consider that it takes some effort to deploy and stow the ramp manually. An older or less agile person may not be able to do this with ease. This is why the majority of lowered floor minivans sold have the automatic ramp and door.

Thousands of Americans suffer from illnesses and injuries every year that would require them to use a wheelchair. How much impact does this have on society? If you happen to be a loved one of one of those who has to use a wheelchair, you may have to perform some wheelchair accessible construction at home to make it easier for them to move around.

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires public accommodations to meet certain standards so as not to discriminate against the handicapped, including people in wheelchairs. As a result, business owners have to make their facilities accessible for handicapped persons. Not only is it required, but it’s also good for business.

So what type of wheelchair accessible construction are you thinking of? Homes and businesses should have handrails, wheelchair ramps, grab bars, and of course, commercial washroom accessories. At home you will need something to sit on while taking a bath, so a folding tub seat or shower seat will be necessary.

For wheelchair ramps, there are many varieties to choose from. The first type is the modular wheelchair ramp which is portable but really strong and affordable. Another is the solid wheelchair ramp, a one piece unit for times when a permanent ramp is needed. A folding wheelchair ramp, on the other hand, is durable and lightweight for travel. Lastly, a threshold wheelchair ramp is specifically created for doorways.

Grab bars and handrails are considered to be two of the most important parts of the wheelchair accessible construction for home or business. They make great accessories for those individuals on wheelchairs, especially in restrooms.

Handrails and bars provide the stability and extra support for those who really need it. In fact, handrails may be used beside a ramp and would prove to be really helpful if the ramp happens to be very long. It will help the individual keep their balance and provide safety.

According to ADA, handrails must also be securely anchored and mounted between 34 and 38 inches high, projected from the wall 1 1/2 inches, and the ends rounded off for safety. On the other hand, grab bars need to be mounted securely and it involves screwing the hardware directly into wall studs or wood blocking.

One of the very important parts of making a home ready for an individual with a wheelchair is the shower or tub seating. There are actually many different types of seating including the L-shaped shower seats and folding tub seats. It is recommended to have the seats mounted on the wall as the individual wouldn’t have to place the unit in and out of the tub. Keep in mind that security and safety are the two most important things when working on wheelchair accessible construction. Always ensure that all additions are safely made and comply with the ADA standards.