Various studies show that our cities are not designed for older people or those with disabilities. Currently, more than 25% of the world's population is made up of older people and/or those with disabilities. More than half live in cities, and it is estimated that by 2050 this number will reach more than 2 billion people. Generally, all of these people experience some type of barrier that impedes their active participation. These barriers limit their full inclusion and integration in our society, as they cause many difficulties in accessing basic services.
One of the places where the concept of universal accessibility must be present is the public restroom. People with mobility, sensory, or cognitive disabilities must be able to access and use the restroom without any problems or impediments. This requires meeting certain requirements regarding the space and the location of the objects to be used. The first requirement to consider is the availability and signage of this type of restroom. An accessible restroom must be integrated into restrooms designated for both sexes. Installing a separate restroom, designated solely and exclusively for people with disabilities, is not recommended. It must be marked with the International Symbol of Accessibility (ISA), accompanied by the icons for "man," "woman," or "family," depending on the type of restroom. The word "Restroom" may be added to identify the space, and terms indicating the status of people using it, such as "disabled," or other, must not be added.
The layout of all elements in a public restroom will obviously depend on the available space. The larger this space, the better the mobility and functionality of disabled users within it. This space must allow a conventional wheelchair to turn around within a minimum of 1,5 m in diameter and must be free of obstacles. Grab bars and technical aids are essential elements that facilitate mobility and use of the restroom, and their installation is mandatory. These must be easy to grasp, have a circular section with a diameter of 30-40 mm, allow a separation from the wall of between 45 and 55 mm, and withstand a force of 1 kN in any direction.
In the toilet area, two grab bars with a minimum length of 70 cm must be installed. These bars must be between 70 and 75 cm from the floor and spaced 65-70 cm apart. The bar installed on the side where the user transfers to the toilet must be a folding grab bar. If the toilet has a bilateral transfer space (from both sides), both bars must be folding.
Moving on to the sink area, it must have no pedestal and be located at a maximum height of 0,85 m from the floor, leaving a minimum free space of 0,7 m beneath its cover to allow a wheelchair user to approach frontally. The faucet may be automatic, equipped with a presence detection system, or manual, single-lever, with an elongated gerontological lever. The horizontal reach from the wheelchair seat must be a maximum of 0,6 m. The mirror may be non-tilting or tilting. If the chosen mirror does not tilt, its lower edge must be installed at a maximum height of 0,9 m from the floor. If it is tilting, it must be tilted at least 10° from the vertical.
To conclude this post, we would like to highlight the firm and determined commitment that Mediclinics, SA. does for the universal accessibility through its productsThe company states: "We firmly believe that this is the only and unequivocal path to achieving the full integration of all people with special needs into our society, and for this reason, we believe the best way to conclude this article is by quoting the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights. This declaration begins by defending the principle of equality among all people and, consequently, the rejection of any form of discrimination. Therefore, we believe that, even seven decades after its approval, it remains fully valid."
