The AODA does not yet include standards governing the housing sector. However, the Third Review of the AODA recommends new standards in various sectors, and suggests guidelines for future housing standards. In addition, the review recommends that future AODA standards should align with existing standards in other parts of the country. For instance, Accessibility Standards Canada (ASC) and the Canadian Standards Association (CSA Group) have developed federal standards for accessible housing. Future AODA housing standards may include some or all of these guidelines and requirements to make people’s homes more accessible. In this article, we explore guidelines in the federal housing standards for accessible bathrooms in housing.
Accessible Bathrooms in Housing
All people should be able to use bathrooms in their own homes with ease. Therefore, the standards recommend that at least one (1) bathroom in a home should be fully accessible.
The measurements in the standards for paths of travel within housing apply to bathrooms. In other words, bathrooms should be spacious enough for people using assistive devices to turn around and reach all fixtures, such as:
- Toilets
- Toilet paper dispensers
- Sinks
- Mirrors
- Showers
- Tubs
Likewise, people should be able to reach all accessories, including:
- Shelves
- Hooks
- Towel bars
- Medicine cabinets
- Other storage
The standards include measurements and recommendations for the height and placement of all fixtures. For example, there should be a gap between counters and mirrors placed above them. However, the standards recommend full-length mirrors, when possible. Likewise, the standards provide measurements of the space people need to transfer:
- Onto toilet or shower seats
- Into tubs
Fixtures
Requirements for home controls apply to bathroom fixtures, including:
- Faucets
- Flush activators
Toilets should have lids or tanks that can act as back rests, but no features that are spring-loaded. Furthermore, toilet paper dispensers and shelves should be nearby.
Moreover, all pipes under sinks should be protected so that people contacting those surfaces do not injure themselves. The standards list additional requirements for sinks, vanities, and cabinets under sinks. For example, cabinets should have finished floors and walls under and behind them.
Tub and shower floors should be slip-resistant, and shower floors should have a slight slope toward the drain. If a shower has one shower head, it must be handheld. However, it should function in a fixed position, if desired. Alternatively, if a shower has two (2) shower heads, the second one can be fixed. People should be able to adjust the height of their shower heads with one (1) hand. Shower heads and faucets should include mixing valves to ensure that the water temperature does not grow hotter than forty-nine degrees Celsius. The standards include measurements and recommendations for the inside of tubs and showers, including:
- Tub length
- Shower floor area
- Shower seats
- Soap niches or shelves
Doors, Floors, and Walls
Furthermore, bathroom doors should slide or swing inward, rather than outward.
In addition, the standards recommend that bathroom floors should be heated. They should also have good colour contrast with the walls. Moreover, both floors and walls should contrast with:
- Fixtures
- Accessories
Walls should have plywood backing or another type of reinforcement. The standards list measurements and guidelines for this backing, both near and away from tubs and showers. In addition, walls near tubs and showers should resist water. Moreover, the walls should be strong enough to support grab bars.
Grab Bars
The standards list requirements for grab bars, including:
- Resistance to corrosion
- Measurements for:
- Size
- Distance from walls
- Weight they can support
- Minimum clearance
People may need different types of grab bars. For example, some people need slip-resistant grab bars. In contrast, others need grab bars that are smooth. Alternatively, people can choose different types of grab bars, including:
- Dual purpose grab bars that also act as storage space
- Fold-down grab bars
- Horizontal pivoting grab bars
In addition, grab bar placements that meet one person’s needs may not be appropriate for another person. As a result, each person should choose their own grab bars, and choose where to install them.
Lighting
Bathrooms should also have good lighting, including:
- A nightlight or illuminated switch outside the room
- Task lighting near the vanity and mirror
- Moisture-proof lighting for the tub or shower
- Natural light, when possible
Furthermore, bathroom windows should ensure privacy.
Electrical Outlets
Moreover, bathrooms should have electrical outlets that are ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs). The standards recommend that these outlets should be located near the front of the sink. Likewise, outlets near the toilet allow people to install power-operated fixtures in future, such as a:
- Seat lift
- Bidet
- Call system