There are reference standards governing the design of bathrooms for disabled people, whether public or private. For private bathrooms, further specific guidelines have been outlined by the Center for Adaptation of the Domestic Environment (CAAD).
In general, the regulations for disabled bathrooms specify that: there are minimum standard measurements to follow, where practicality and rationality must certainly be prioritized over aesthetics, considering the actual needs of the disabled, elderly, or mobility-impaired person. However, it must be recognized that the ever-increasing attention—including legislative—in this area is leading manufacturers to create ever more aesthetically pleasing products, with dimensions and shapes tailored to every need, and using suitable materials.
Disabled Bathroom Dimensions
These standard notions can be taken into consideration whether modifying or building a disabled bathroom in a private or public building. It is obvious that, in the case of a private residence, the considerations will vary based on personal needs and tastes, but the guidelines set forth in the regulations remain equally valid in both cases. Minimum dimensions for a disabled bathroom
A bathroom with a shower, suitable for the potential mobility limitations of the individual, must measure at least 180×180 cm;
A bathroom without a shower, suitable for the potential mobility limitations of the individual, must measure at least 140×180 cm;
The minimum width of passageways leading to the bathroom (corridors, anterooms) is set at 150 cm;
The access door, which must be a hinged door that opens outward, must have a minimum clearance of 85 cm and must be equipped with a handle or grab bar 80 cm from the floor;
If the walls allow it, a pocket door may be used;
The flooring must be non-slip;
Faucets must be either lever-operated or equipped with a photocell;
The maneuvering space required for approaching and transferring from a wheelchair to the toilet and bidet (if applicable, but not mandatory) must be at least 100 cm, measured from the axis of the fixture;
The toilet and bidet should be wall-mounted and must be at least 40 cm from the wall. If the distance is greater than 40 cm, grab bars and/or handrails must be installed to facilitate transfer;
A disabled toilet usually has standard dimensions: it protrudes from the wall by 75-80 cm to allow for a wheelchair to be pulled up;
The space required for a wheelchair to approach the sink, preferably wall-mounted, must be at least 80 cm, measured from the front edge of the sink;
The sink must be positioned 80 cm from the floor, and the distance from the front edge of the sink to the wall must be 80 cm.
The space required for a wheelchair to approach the bathtub from the side must be at least 140 cm along the length of the bathtub, with a minimum depth of 80 cm.
It is possible that the bathroom has a shower and not a bathtub: in this case, the shower must be at least 80 cm deep, must have a fold-down seat, and the shower tray must be at floor level.
Each of the above concepts is fundamentally aimed at reducing overall clutter: having a pocket door or one that opens outward ensures that the space is not cluttered by the arch the door creates on the floor when opened; having wall-mounted sanitary fixtures ensures that a wheelchair can maneuver near them without being impeded; The floor-level shower eliminates small changes in height that can be dangerous and insurmountable for a disabled person; and so on…
Tips for Adapting an Existing Bathroom
The appropriate premise is that, obviously, the possibilities, degree of freedom, and needs vary depending on whether the bathroom is public or private. In the latter case, they also vary based on the degree and type of disability, allowing for specific consideration of the specific disability.
Maneuvering Space
The average size of a wheelchair is between 70 and 75 cm, so assuming rotation, the wheelchair reaches 150 cm. Therefore, when reorganizing a bathroom, considering a circumference of 150-170 cm ensures that maneuvering space is met.
Flooring
Certified non-slip coverings and tiles are available on the market, with varying degrees of grip depending on your needs.
Toilet
The toilet can be adapted to your needs by installing a raised toilet seat, a device that helps people with mobility difficulties access the toilet.