For a long time United Kingdom bathrooms were strictly utilitarian and built in a "one size fits all" fashion. This did not pose a problem for much of the population but for others, the "standard" bathroom was something of a nightmare. People with special needs often have a hard time in bathrooms built for "normal" people.
Designers have begun to realize that some people have different needs than others and they have worked very hard to build bathrooms and bathroom fixtures that are built with the needs of special needs people in mind. People with special needs require bathroom fixtures that are sturdier and can accommodate their weight. Bathrooms built specifically for someone with special needs have elements that are at a different height than fixtures built for people who do not have special needs.
Typically, a bathroom that has been built for a person with special needs will have a stand alone sink, a toilet with a wider seat that is either lower to the ground (for children with special needs) or higher up for those who have trouble bending their needs or who might need to transfer to the toilet from a wheel chair.
The bathroom that has been designed for a person with special needs will be equipped with a shower stall that has a bench or seat installed. If the bathroom has a bath tub, that bath tub will usually have jets to work a person's muscles and might be raised up off of the floor to help people who have trouble transferring from a standing position to a sitting position.
Lastly, the bathroom that has been constructed for a person with special needs will be built with additional support beams and bars located around and throughout the bathroom. These bars are usually bolted to the walls around the individual bathroom features. These bars are built to aid in the transfer of the person with special needs from one location to another. The bars are usually installed next to the toilet, the sinks and the bathtub and shower areas. These bars are sturdy and are meant to hold a person's entire body weight.
Many designers feel challenged by bathrooms for people with special needs because the contractors want to accommodate the clients' needs but they also realize that "non special needs" people might be using the bathroom as well. Accommodating both can be tricky.
When designing a bathroom for a person with special needs a good rule of thumb for the designer is to follow is "function before form.
Designers have begun to realize that some people have different needs than others and they have worked very hard to build bathrooms and bathroom fixtures that are built with the needs of special needs people in mind. People with special needs require bathroom fixtures that are sturdier and can accommodate their weight. Bathrooms built specifically for someone with special needs have elements that are at a different height than fixtures built for people who do not have special needs.
Typically, a bathroom that has been built for a person with special needs will have a stand alone sink, a toilet with a wider seat that is either lower to the ground (for children with special needs) or higher up for those who have trouble bending their needs or who might need to transfer to the toilet from a wheel chair.
The bathroom that has been designed for a person with special needs will be equipped with a shower stall that has a bench or seat installed. If the bathroom has a bath tub, that bath tub will usually have jets to work a person's muscles and might be raised up off of the floor to help people who have trouble transferring from a standing position to a sitting position.
Lastly, the bathroom that has been constructed for a person with special needs will be built with additional support beams and bars located around and throughout the bathroom. These bars are usually bolted to the walls around the individual bathroom features. These bars are built to aid in the transfer of the person with special needs from one location to another. The bars are usually installed next to the toilet, the sinks and the bathtub and shower areas. These bars are sturdy and are meant to hold a person's entire body weight.
Many designers feel challenged by bathrooms for people with special needs because the contractors want to accommodate the clients' needs but they also realize that "non special needs" people might be using the bathroom as well. Accommodating both can be tricky.
When designing a bathroom for a person with special needs a good rule of thumb for the designer is to follow is "function before form.
About the Author:
Tal Potishman, editor of Heating Central, writes articles on boilers, plumbers, central heating in Dartford, underfloor heating and solar thermal. He specializes in helping save money by advising on efficient heating.
