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Universal Design Bathrooms What do you know about "universal design"? While accessible products accommodate people with disabilities, universal design takes accessibility a step further by asserting that all homes should accommodate all people, including those of different ability, height, and age. Universal design means true accessibility. There are good reasons for incorporating universal design in your home. Universal design can provide a competitive edge in the market by meeting the increasing demand for accessible living environments. Bathtubs featuring fold down or integrated seats, built-in lifts, entry/exit doors, soft padded surfaces, and roll-in or transfer shower modules, provide accessibility for all members of a household, not just those with physical disabilities. An investment in universal design can make your homes stand out from the rest by adding value that today's home buyers appreciate. The percentage of senior citizens has almost doubled since 1950, and approximately 49 million Americans have some type of disability. These groups represent the two fastest growing population segments. Recognizing the demands of these population segments, designers and manufacturers are creating designs and developing products to accommodate them. One of the most important places for universal design features is in bathing areas. There are bathtubs with built-in doors, which not only accommodate a person with a wheelchair, but give a walking person the option of not climbing over the edge. Another design is a whirlpool tub with an automatic sliding wall. Bathtub doors include gasketed joints to seal in water. There are also molded bathtubs with integral seats and showers, and bathtubs with fold-down seats that offer extra space when the seat is not required. Bathtubs with built-in lifts provide some independence for many who would depend on others to help them bathe, or allow a single caretaker instead of two to help a person into the tub. At least one manufacturer makes a soft bathtub which can prevent or reduce injury from a fall. It is made of elastomeric material covering a foam shape over a fiberglass inner shell. A versatile shower that accommodates both able-bodied and those in wheelchairs is the "transfer shower." This can be built from individual components or purchased as a complete module with a seat, grab bars, and controls. Integral or fold-up seats are available, and designs without thresholds allow easy access. At 36-by-36 inches, the advantage of the transfer shower is its precise dimensions to provide support and control within the user's reach at all times, and its sense of enclosed privacy. Transfer shower modules are available from many manufacturers. One manufacturer offers a shower enclosure with an integral seat and non-slip surface that is made to retrofit a standard tub. Roll-in showers allow a wheelchair user to bathe without transferring to a shower seat. Although the user must first transfer from a wheelchair to a rolling shower chair, it is often easier than transferring inside more restrictive shower enclosures. Some shower chair designs require an assistant to move a person in and out of the shower. A large size roll-in shower may have added convenience and aesthetic appeal to the able-bodied market as well. Roll-in and transfer shower modules are available from many manufacturers. One manufacturer offers barrier-free shower doors that retract and pivot to provide unobstructed access. Another manufacturer has a shower door with no threshold. Instead, the shower has a flexible vinyl water barrier that dams the water but also allows easy wheelchair passage. Universal design bathtubs and showers improve safety for all home occupants, and improve livability by accommodating people of all ages, sizes, and abilities. Many manufacturers have accessible bathing fixtures and accessories widely available through distributor stock. There are no references to accessibility in the International Residential Code. Three Federal laws include information relating to accessible bathrooms: The Architectural Barriers Act (ABA) references the Uniform Federal Accessibility Standards (UFAS) and covers buildings built or operated by federal funding. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) includes legislation that applies to all housing built or operated using state and local government programs or funds. The Fair Housing Act (FHA) applies to all multi family housing with four or more units built for first occupancy after March 13, 1991. Federal guidelines require clear floorspace in front of bathroom fixtures to provide accessibility for people in wheelchairs. However, there are no requirements for accessible bathing fixtures. These regulations reference the ANSI A117.1 Standards for Usable and Accessible Buildings and Facilities. Benefits/Costs Although accessible fixtures are not required by code or law in private single-family residences, they should appeal to many home buyers, adding value and marketability to the home.
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