Kitchen & Bath Design Center's knowledgeable staff can help you incorporate design features that are safe, practicable, stylish and easy to use and care for. Consider these Adaptive Design features:
- Replace your bathtub with our standard size shower base with a low 4 1/2" curb — eliminate the climb over a tub wall.
- Slip-resistant textured floor on shower bases.
- Textured non-slip areas on vanity tops, as well as wall-mounted vanity without a cabinet to allow for wheelchair access.
- Wheelchair accessible ramp available with a custom shower base
- Sizes up to 96" x 96"
- Wide doorways
- Corner shower seat 18" deep: textured non-slip surface, holds up to 350 pounds or if space permits, consider a bench seat.
- Recessed mount soap and shampoo holders positioned in a convenient location of your choice.
- Hand held shower spray unit with an extendable hose.
- Lever door handles and rocker light switches are particularly helpful if you have poor hand strength.
- Grab bars not only in the shower area but other locations in the bathroom
Planning an Adaptive Design Bathroom
When planning an Adaptive Design bathroom, keep the following ideas and questions in mind:
- Safety first! Minimize hazards and consequences of accidents.
- Who will be using the bathroom?
- What are the parameters of physical abilities?
- Plan your design to accommodate a range of preferences and abilities
- What are the physical space constraints?
- What features of the bathroom are most important?
- Plan for good lighting—utilize dimmer switches and rocker light switches.
- Have easy to reach open storage areas and hooks; lever door and faucet handles, drawer pulls instead of knobs.
- Install the toilet at a comfortable height.
- Mount the countertop at a comfortable height level to eliminate bending over.
- Utilize contrasting colors to provide a visual cue.
Guidelines for Wheelchair Accessibility
These technical specifications come from the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 and are the same as, or similar to the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) standards A 117.11-1080.
- 4.2.3 Wheelchair turning space required to make a 180º turn is a 60" turning radius.
- 4.13.5 Doorways need a minimum of 32" with door open at 90º.
- 4.16.3 Height of water closets needs to be 17" to 19" measured from top of toilet seat to finished floor.
- 4.20.3 Tub seat needs to be either in-tub or at the head of the tub. If at the head of the tub, the seat needs to be 15" maximum depth.
- 4.21.3 A shower seat is required in a 36" x 36" shower. Seat need to be mounted 17" to 19" from floor and must be full depth of shower. Water controls should be mounted wall opposite seat.
- 4.21.6 Shower unit requires a shower spray unit with a minimum 60" long hose that can be used as a fixed or hand-held shower.
- 4.24.2 Sink height should be no higher than 34" from top rim to floor.
- 4.24.3 Sink knee clearance must be at least 27" high, 30" wide and 19" deep.
- 4.24.4 Sinks should be no more than 6 1/2" deep.
Stop by our showroom, call us at (413) 786-8500 or email us to find out how we can help you design the kitchen or bath to best meet your needs.
