As part of our advocacy, #OneAccessibility, we shall share information about disability issues, inclusion, and/or accessibility features on Maps. Look out every week for this enlightening post.
Caption: Photo showing a toilet with water closet, urinal, toilet paper holder and floor space.
Toilets are one of the major essential places in a building - public or private. We all need to visit the restroom for convenience almost every day. So what could be the experience for persons with disabilities when the restroom is not built with them in mind? The issue of privacy and independence comes to mind.
Accessibility as we all know is removing barriers for everyone no matter the place, product or service. While it is important to help remove these barriers, it is also necessary to understand the steps required to achieve this without creating further problems. For example if you plan to build an accessible restroom or toilet, you should be able to know the standard and measurement so as not to spend extra money and time to retrofit. Some countries have their laws while those who may not have specifics may opt for the United Nations standard.
Toilet compartments would normally consist of the Water Cistern (WC), Grab bars, Sink, Floor Space, Toilet Paper Holder, Mirror, Faucets and other accessories. In any public rest room, it is required that at least one unisex compartment should be accessible to a wheelchair user.
Firstly an accessible rest room or toilet must be identified by a sign. Then toilet compartment should have adequate space to enable a wheelchair move unobstructed. According to the United Nations Enable design, water closets should comply with the minimum requirements. For instance the toilet seat should be between 0.45m and 0.50m for its height from the floor level. Also, the distance between the toilet seat and the closest adjacent wall fitted with a grab bar should be between 0.45m and 0.50m. This dimension is also the same height with wheelchair seats. Where there are several WCs at least one must comply with the requirements.
Technology has also made it possible to have automated toilet accessories which are very helpful for PwDs. WCs and urinals can be programmed to adjust for different needs ergonomically; also flushing, warming the WC Seat (in winter) and dispensing of tissues can be automated.
Caption: Automated Water Closet with buttons at Google Office in San Jose.
The American with Disabilities Act (ADA) provides standard requirements for all bathroom features. For accessible toilet it must be at least 60 inches wide while the toilet seat must be at least 17 to 19 inches above the floor level.
While building accessible toilets, it is therefore important to watch out for insufficient space inside a rest room, positioning of fixtures and fittings, in accordance with the appropriate laws. Some laws also provide water closets requirements for Children 12 years and younger differently from general standard.
If you have a question, suggestion, or contribution, feel free to comment below. You can read last week’s roundup article and check the list of our other articles under “Accessibility Uncovered”
like won’t it be tantamount to invasion of privacy