The ADA and Accessibility

As applied in ADA, disability is a broad term, not limited by the legislation, describing those considered physically or mentally challenged. The entire purpose of the act, in fact, is to eliminate barriers to access for those with disabilities, prohibiting any discrimination by word or deed that prevents any American from equal access to goods and services. Since its passage, the law has been applied more liberally to groups of Americans not necessarily considered disabled or handicapped.

Although there has been some controversy around what can legally be considered sufficient access and who is disabled, the response to the legislation overall has been positive. The design community continues to strive to provide equal access for Americans facing many types of challenges, including:

• those with stability and balance impairments

• the short (including children) and the tall, large, or heavy people

• those with temporary impairments involving casts, slings, crutches, and the like

• mobility equipment users (power wheelchairs, scooters, walkers)

• the elderly

• the blind and vision-impaired

• the deaf and hearing-impaired

• individuals who need assistance in the restroom.

In fact, discussion in the design community has shifted from ADA compliance and accessibility to universal design. This relatively new concept describes spaces, furnishings, and tools that are equally usable by all. Though the term has a distinct meaning—not about compliance with ADA, but rather for an approach to design—they may be used interchangeably to describe the intent of a scheme or component. In addition, state and local jurisdictions do not all agree what constitutes proper access. ADA provides a minimum, and some authorities and agencies raise the bar for accessibility beyond what is outlined federally, as with building codes, energy-efficiency requirements, and green-building standards.

Paper towels can cause maintenance issues, including blockages that clog wastewater systems and overflowing trash receptacles. Image courtesy of Dyson Inc.

California, Massachusetts, and Texas are three states that determine and publish their own statewide accessibility guidelines, intended to improve upon the ADA and make the state's public facilities even more broadly and uniformly accessible for all users. The state-specific standard may use ADA compliance as its baseline, but this is not the same as a state building code simply referring to ADA requirements and ANSI/ICC guidelines. Even if the differences are minor, as they are often described in reference to the Texas Accessibility Standards, for instance, the state's decision to apply its own standard means that violations can be met with enforcement and regulation by state agencies.

Equal Access for All

To be ADA-compliant, a restroom must meet strict criteria, a summary of which can be found in the table below. For detailed compliance requirements, architects refer toICC/ANSI A117.1 – Accessible and Usable Buildings and Facilities, which is referenced in the International Building Code (IBC).

ANSI/ICC guidelines for compliance also outline reach ranges and mounting heights for restrooms to be utilized primarily by children, and requirements for installation of elements to allow approach and use by both the left- and right-handed. Furthermore, these guidelines also address planning and layout for bathroom space and entryways. These planning guidelines are similar to those for other rooms, halls, and areas with certain adjustments for maneuvering clearances that may be unique to restroom spaces.

The accessibility standards for bathroom planning are complex, but the goal is always the same: equal access for all. Keeping this goal in mind helps to make sense of the standards and to translate them into design. For instance, it is clear that an open vestibule provides the freest access to all users. If that is not possible in the given application, the designer must then consider the best door configuration (single-door, opposing door, etc.) and manage the requirements for maneuvering clearances. Modern accessible restroom design should be free of raised thresholds at entry points, though beveled thresholds of no more than ½ inch in height can be considered compliant, depending on the relationship of the height and incline. The ICC/ANSI standard also addresses maximum force needed and hardware types and mounting heights for operating doors.

The ANSI/ICC standard for accessible restroom design is exhaustive and addresses requirements for space, reach, maneuvering, force, and access in numerous configurations, including everything from single-occupancy facilities to large multi-fixtured public restrooms to bathing facilities. Yet it is just a start. New best practices and technologies can be harnessed to deliver restrooms that are not only accessible, but also comfortable, attractive, sustainable, efficient, and hygienic. One of those areas with rapidly changing technology is the lavatory and sink area.