Kitchen & Bath Business - May/June 2016 - 48

Learning Corner

2. Toilet Room. It's important to make sure there is enough
space around the toilet for the user. In addition, comfortheight (16 to 18 inches tall) toilets are ideal because they
are about the same height as a wheelchair, which allows
for an easier, safer transfer. For most not in wheelchairs, it
is easier to sit down and get up from taller toilets. Support
is also important, so consider adding fold-down support
arms on both sides of the toilet to assist the person sitting
and standing or grab bars on the wall near the toilet.
For users with limited mobility, an electric toilet seat with
a water spray feature is a great addition to provide effective and hygienic toileting. Placing a dedicated outlet near
the toilet provides for installation either immediately or at
a later date. Considering client needs both now and in the
future should form part of your planning.
3. Sink Zone. Plan for sitting needs around the sink. A
correctly designed wall-hung sink can provide necessary

Bathroom Security

knee space for a user. Wall-hung sinks must be sufficiently
reinforced to ensure they remain securely attached to the
wall should a user with limited mobility or balance issues
rely on it for support. Another option is to create knee
space in the vanity cabinet. This may be an opening or
enclosure with pocket-type doors that fold back into the
side of the cabinet.
Counter height is also important. Universal design

Establishing an evaluation program

guidelines address more general counter heights rather

for customer safety and accessibility

than specific individual needs, however, it's important
to work with each client to determine their ideal counter
height taking into account their reach and overall

INDUSTRY PROFESSIONALS WHO ARE EXPERTS at universal design can be

limitations. This ensures the maximum benefit by placing

a tremendous resource to potential clients considering a bathroom remodel.
By conducting a walk-through of the existing space with an eye toward accessibility as well as design, they can identify hazardous areas and offer solutions.
The first step in producing an evaluation program is to create a questionnaire that will help determine each client's needs. For example, find out how
they prefer to bathe, which will help understand whether the client needs an
accessible walk-in tub or a shower.The key is to find out how they personally
function in their bathroom.
Once you've developed the questionnaire, visit the client's home for an
evaluation, and focus on the following three areas in the bathroom during
each evaluation. Here are some simple rules to follow to make these tips really
work for your clients:
1. Bathing Area. The biggest safety issue is entering and exiting the bathing area. For
example, do your clients have a large tub wall they must step over? This can be a huge fall
risk. Do they have a shower pan with a threshold that creates a fall risk? Pay attention to the
surface upon which they get out of the shower; it should always be no-slip. Provide a grab
bar a user can hold onto when entering and exiting the bathing zone. Some towel bars are
available that provide a dual function as grab bars and also enhance the aesthetic appeal
of the bathroom.

the sink/counter at their perfect height. Don't forget to
consider the mirror and medicine cabinet placement for
when the user is seated. Surface mounting the medicine
cabinet rather than recessing it allows easier reach access
to a seated user.
Correct placement of lighting around the sink area is
key. For seated users, wall sconces or side lights installed
at the correct height will illuminate their face effectively.
Overhead lights are more likely to cast shadows, providing inferior light where they need it most.

MARC MENDELSOHN, CKD,
CBD, is an architectural design
professional and president of
Universal Design Specialists
in Sonoma, Calif. He has
specialized in universal design
and barrier-free construction
since 1992.

Planning for aging in our homes requires accessibility and safety considerations, not to mention independence. As design professionals, it's
incumbent on us to help our clients prepare for
that change and raise important questions so
we can provide correct solutions. A thorough,
thoughtful questionnaire and evaluation are key
to understanding client mobility and meeting
their needs.

Kitchen & Bath Business / MAY-JUNE 2016 / KBBONLINE.COM / The official publication of KBIS (KBIS.com)

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Kitchen & Bath Business - May/June 2016

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