In these more enlightened times; many public places are installing special toilets designed for use by handicapped people. This might be required by local rules and regulations or the handicapped toilets might be provided because of the views of the owner of the premises.
How Do Handicapped Toilets Differ From Standard Toilets?
The most obvious difference is in those that are designed for wheelchair access but handicapped toilets do have other requirements; such as:-
- Not only must the door be wide enough for a wheel chair to pass through but there must be space enough inside for the chair to turn around.
- Space should also be provided to accommodate a helper should one be needed.
- The height of the toilet pedestal should allow easy transfer between wheelchair and toilet seat without being so low as to inconvenience the walking disabled.
- Are the personal clean up facilities suitable for disabled use?
- A disabled person can be more susceptible to illness contracted by exposure to germs and viruses so toilet seat covers could be more important in handicapped toilets. If they are provided, what steps have been taken to assist the handicapped in their use?
The last of the above examples is one that is often overlooked or incorrectly applied. Places that provide disposable paper or plastic toilet seat covers often stop the provision fairly soon after introducing it. The claim is that the covers “are more trouble than they are worth”. People find them awkward to put in place on top of the seat – they tend to slide off before one can sit on them; either onto the floor or, worse, into the bowl. Then, after use, what to do with them? If the users flush them; you risk blocked sewer pipes. Because of their size, they soon fill waste baskets; and, one way or another, they end up on the floor of the cubical. That is happening when fully able people are trying to get a clean seat to sit on – imagine the bigger problem in handicapped toilets.
However, there are ways in which a conscientious toilet operator can help all who use the toilet(s). Instead of dispensing a seat cover into the hands of a user – who then has to “fit” it and dispose of it by hand; what if the whole process could be automated? The good news for operators of handicapped toilets is that such systems are now available.
