Overview of the Americans with Disabilities Act & ADA Compliance for Bathrooms

May 21, 2024 6:46:42 pm

Happy asian disabled on wheelchair smiling with happiness face in toilet

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) protects people with disabilities against discrimination in employment, transportation, communications, governmental activities, and public accommodations. This landmark act was signed into law in 1990 and has changed what it means to live with a disability in America.¹

In this article we’ll explore one of the most important impacts of the ADA—improved bathroom accessibility—and we’ll uncover in more depth the purpose and history of the ADA, as well as how you can design your own ADA bathrooms.

Why Was the ADA Passed?

The ADA is an important civil rights law born out of a former lack of protection under the law for those with physical or mental limitations ranging from blindness to a nervous system disorder.

Before the ADA was passed, disabled individuals could be denied employment because of their disability, even when able to reasonably perform the requirements of the job. Many disabled individuals faced inadequate accommodations in public restrooms, many had difficulties getting around city streets because of a lack of wheelchair ramps and curbs—the list goes on. In passing the ADA, America made inclusiveness a priority.

What Qualifies as a Disability Covered Under the ADA?

The ADA generally defines a disability as any physiological, mental, or psychological impairment that substantially limits a major life activity (such as walking, hearing, etc.).² The term “impairment” is broadly identified by the ADA as any physiological disorder or condition, cosmetic disfigurement, or anatomical loss affecting one of more of the body’s systems, including:

Cardiovascular
Digestive
Endocrine
Genito-urinary
Hemic and lymphatic
Musculoskeletal
Neurological
Reproductive
Respiratory
Skin
The sensory organs

Additionally, the ADA defines any mental or psychological disorder, such as emotional or mental illness and specific learning disabilities, as impairments. The ADA is not required to list all disorders and conditions, as doing so would be virtually impossible, given the great number of conditions that may cause impairment. Impairment does not include normal physical characteristics such as normal height or weight deviations, or common personality traits (such as extreme shyness or a bad temper). It also does not include the illegal use of drugs.

There are five titles that make up the Americans with Disabilities Act³—these are explored in more detail below.

Title I – Employment

This section protects impaired individuals from discrimination in employment. Title I:

Requires employers with 15 or more employees to provide equal opportunity to those with qualifying disabilities; for example, the ADA prohibits employers from discriminating against a disabled applicant in recruitment, hiring, training, pay, promotions, and other aspects of employment.
Requires that employers provide disabled employees with “reasonable accommodations” as long as those accommodations don’t cause the employer undue hardship (expense or difficulty).
Is regulated and enforced by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

Title II – Public Services: State and Local Government

This section prohibits discrimination against those with disabilities by “public entities”—that is, services, programs, and activities run by state and local governments. Title II also:

Requires public entities (such as state and local government, state departments, agencies, etc.) to make their programs, services, and activities available to the disabled.
Outlines the requirements for making policies, practices, and procedures in order to avoid discrimination against those with disabilities.
Title II is regulated and enforced by the U.S. Department of Justice.

Title III – Public Accommodations and Services Operated by Private Entities

This section prohibits public spaces from discriminating against those with disabilities. This includes privately owned or operated facilities, such as hotels, restaurants, golf courses, private schools, health clubs, movie theaters, etc. Title III also:

Sets minimum standards for accessible design of commercial facilities and privately owned public accommodations; also requires that existing barriers to accessibility be removed in cases where it is easy to do so.
Requires businesses to take necessary steps in order to communicate effectively with those with vision, hearing, and speech disabilities.
Regulated and enforced by the U.S. Department of Justice.

Title IV – Telecommunications

This section sets standards for telephone and Internet companies, requiring the following:

Requires that telephone and Internet companies provide a nationwide system of interstate and intrastate communications that enables those with hearing and speech disabilities to communicate.
Requires closed captioning for federally funded PSAs.
This section is regulated by the Federal Communication Commission.

Title V – Miscellaneous Provisions

This section contains various provisions pertaining to the ADA in its entirety, including how the ADA relates to other laws. It also contains a list of conditions that are not considered disabilities.

ADA-Compliant Bathrooms

There is no question that private and public restrooms are essential for everyone—regardless of physical ability. The ADA generally requires all types of businesses that serve the public to provide restrooms that are ADA compliant. Some basic features of a well-constructed ADA bathroom include:

Wide access to the sink (30 inches by 48 inches at least), ensuring no doors swing into the area.
Toilets should be at least 16 to 18 inches from the side of the wall at their centerline.
A 60-inch circle minimum to allow a wheelchair to turn (door must not swing into the circle).

Sinks and Faucets

In ADA bathrooms, sinks should be mounted no more than 34 inches from the floor, with knee clearance of at least 27 inches from the ground, 30 inches wide, and 19 inches deep for full wheelchair access. The floor under sinks should be clear, and pipes should be insulated (hot pipes can burn legs under the sink).

Faucets should be easily operable with one hand, requiring no more than five pounds of force to turn. Lever-operated, push, touch, or automatic faucets are all acceptable, as long as they are easy to use.

Toilet Stalls

Elderly old lady woman patient use toilet handle security in nursing hospital ward

Toilets should be 17 to 19 inches from the floor to seat, and urinals should be hung no more than 17 inches from the floor in an ADA-compliant bathroom.

Grab bars should have a gripping surface and be mounted at least 1.5 inches from the wall. They must also be installed between 33 inches and 36 inches from the floor. There must be a side wall grab bar and a rear wall grab bar, as follows:

Side Wall: The side grab bar must be at least 42 inches long on the side wall and extend at least 12 inches from the rear wall. The toilet paper dispenser should be mounted below the grab bar at a minimum height of 19 inches.
Rear Wall: The rear grab bar must be at least 36 inches long and extend at least 12 inches on one side of the toilet centerline and at least 24 inches on the other side. It should also be positioned horizontally.

Shower Stalls

An ADA-compliant shower stall should have:

Minimum dimensions of 36” x 36”
A seat that folds down when not in use
A shower wand
Flexible, low-profile ADA shower pan for easy wheelchair access
Strong, durable shower walls

Additional ways to create an ADA-compliant bathroom include increasing lighting, making walkways wide, and incorporating objects that are easy to grasp. Doors should open easily and have handles that can be grabbed with one hand. Doors should be at least 32 inches wide when open at 90 degrees.

Well-built bathroom spaces will benefit not only those with disabilities qualifying under the ADA, but also:

People who have stability/balance issues
People of different heights and weights
Parents attending to their children in the restroom
People with temporary physical conditions, such as those recovering from surgery or a broken bone
Seniors with limited mobility
People who need assistance with restroom activities
Users of crutches, canes, walkers, powered wheelchairs, and scooters

Contact American Bath Enterprises Today

The guidelines and standards set by the ADA are vital for creating environments that can accommodate individuals with disabilities. For top-quality ADA-compliant shower systems, you can always come to American Bath Enterprises, Inc. We’ve been in business since 1993, and our ADA shower systems can’t be beat. We also offer installation services in the San Francisco Bay Area.

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