A Deeply Personal Journey

A few years ago, my dad lost a leg to Vascular disease, and then two short years later, he lost the other one. [1] At the time, I didn’t know how to make a bathroom handicap accessible, but I was determined to find a solution that would allow my parents to continue living comfortably in their home.

My dad was still working right up until the pain in his feet became too severe for him to function. After losing his first leg, he managed with their existing bathroom not too badly, using a prosthetic and a shower chair. However, the setup was far from ideal, with the shower chair half-in and half-out of the shower, making it impossible to close the door and leading to a wet mess every time. [1]

The following year, when my dad lost his other leg above the knee, it was time to make his main ensuite bathroom work better. The whole family chipped in to get this renovation done, and I took on the role of designer, ensuring the new space would meet my dad’s needs while still being beautiful and functional for my mom. [1]

Navigating the Guidelines

First and foremost, I had to familiarize myself with the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) guidelines for accessible bathroom design. [1] These guidelines outline the official rules when it comes to clearances, door widths, and other crucial factors. However, as my parents’ home had limited space, we weren’t able to meet all the requirements exactly.

Luckily, I had the benefit of being able to ask my dad directly about his specific needs. For example, while the guidelines call for a grab bar on the side of the toilet, my dad had already been using the bathroom without one and felt he could manage just fine using the side of the sink instead. [1] Similarly, the powder room was too small to allow for a full wheelchair turning radius, but my dad’s compact wheelchair still worked well in the space.

Designing for Function and Beauty

One of the key considerations was the height and clearance of the vanities. The previous extra-tall (36″) vanities with cabinetry beneath made it difficult for my dad to reach the sinks. In the ensuite bathroom, we solved this by designing a custom double-sink vanity with lower legs and a center storage tower. [1] We also sourced extra-shallow sinks to provide the necessary clearance for my dad to roll his wheelchair right up to the vanity.

In the powder room, we opted for a console-style sink from Wayfair that met the height and clearance requirements. [1] To ensure my dad could see himself well for tasks like shaving, we also sourced tilting mirrors in both bathrooms.

Another important element was the toilet height. The standard lower toilets in their home made it challenging for my dad to transfer from his wheelchair. We replaced them with comfort-height toilets that sit just a little higher, making the process much easier. [1]

Rethinking the Shower

The shower was by far the trickiest part of the renovation. In the original ensuite, my dad had to half-in, half-out of the shower to use his chair, with the door remaining open and water spilling everywhere. [1] To solve this, we decided to eliminate the door altogether and go with a curbless, roll-in shower design with a slight slope to the drain.

To prevent water from escaping the shower, we added a collapsible plastic shower dam that seals the water in when rolled over, but collapses when my dad wheels through. [1] We also placed the shower controls within easy reach and included a handheld, adjustable shower head.

The Finishing Touches

In both bathrooms, we were sure to strategically place horizontal grab bars where my dad needed them most, reinforcing the walls for maximum security. [1] And to enhance slip resistance, we chose small tiles with plenty of grout lines for the floors.

The end result is a space that not only meets my dad’s accessibility needs but also feels beautifully designed. My mom loves the updated look, and my dad has been using the new bathrooms with ease for the past few years. [1]

A Truly Accessible Oasis

Designing these bathrooms with my dad’s specific requirements in mind has allowed my parents to continue living in their beloved home, which was the ultimate goal. [1] And the best part? You’d never know these were accessibility-focused spaces – they seamlessly blend function and style, proving that good design doesn’t have to be sacrificed for accessibility.

This deeply personal journey has taught me so much, from navigating the ADA guidelines to understanding the nuances of my dad’s needs. I’m grateful to have been able to use my design skills to create a solution that has dramatically improved my parents’ quality of life. [1] It’s a memory I’ll always cherish, and I hope to pass on that same sense of purpose and pride to my own children someday.

References

[1] Erin Zubot Design. “How to Make a Bathroom Handicap Accessible.” erinzubotdesign.com/how-to-make-a-bathroom-handicap-accessible/

[2] Complex Child. “Designing an Accessible Bathroom.” www.articles.complexchild.com/jan2009/00096.html

[3] Emily Henderson. “The Modern Traditional Guest Bathroom Reveal! -One Room Challenge Spring 2022.” stylebyemilyhenderson.com/blog/the-modern-traditional-guest-bathroom-reveal-one-room-challenge-spring-2022

[4] The New York Times. “The Media’s Message Is Changing.” www.nytimes.com/2022/08/07/opinion/media-message-twitter-instagram.html

[5] Quora. “Is it illegal to use the wrong gender bathroom if it’s truly an emergency and no other bathroom is available?” www.quora.com/Is-it-illegal-to-use-the-wrong-gender-bathroom-if-it-s-truly-an-emergency-and-no-other-bathroom-is-available

[6] All Building Construction. “Designing Accessible Bathrooms: Enhancing Functionality and Safety for Individuals with Mobility Challenges.” allbuildingconstruction.com/designing-accessible-bathrooms-enhancing-functionality-and-safety-for-individuals-with-mobility-challenges/

[7] Addicted 2 Decorating. “Master Bathroom Vanity Considerations with Accessibility in Mind.” www.addicted2decorating.com/master-bathroom-vanity-considerations-with-accessibility-in-mind.html

[8] Ask a Manager. www.askamanager.org/